Thyme

Thyme Name Origin Theories.

The name Thyme is derived from the Greek thumos and the Latin fumus both meaning smoke. The reference to smoke is due the usage of thyme in sacrifices or because of its fragrant odor; which some scholars also say refers to fumigate.
 
The name may also derive from thumos which signifies courage as thyme was an emblem of bravery and activity by the Greeks. Ladies, in the days of chivalry and knights, would often embroider a bee hovering above a spray of thyme upon scarves that they would present to their chosen protector.
 
Another of our references believes the word thyme to be derived from the Greek word thyo which means sacrifice because it was used to perfume the temples. The Greeks also associated thyme with style and elegance.
 
Yet another theory comes from Tournefort (1656 - 1708), who says that it comes 'from the mind' because it was used as a treatment for fainting.
 

Folklore.

Much of the folklore surrounding thyme centers around biblical and saintly references.
 
"Our Lady's bed-straw", the manger where Mary gave birth to the infant Jesus, was said to have included thyme, woodroof, and groundsel.
 
Thyme and rosemary were used on St. Agnes' Eve with this verse:
 
"St. Agnesm that's to lovers kind,
Come, ease the troubles of my mind."

  Thyme was at the center a a favorite vision-enducing love potion. On St. Luke's Day, October 18th, young girls were to observe the tradition recommended below in a quotation from one of our resources:
 
"Take marigold flowers, a sprig of marjoram, thyme, and a little wormwood; dry them before a fire, rub them to powder, then sift it through a fine piece of lawn; simmer these with a small quantity of virgin honey, in white vinegar, over a slow fire; with this anoint your stomach, breasts, and lips, lying down, and repeat these words thrice:--
 
'St Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me,
In dream let me my true love see!'
 
This said, hasten to sleep, and in the soft slumbers of night's repose,
the very man whom you shall marry shall appear before you."

 
Danish and German folklore list wild thyme as a favorite place to find fairies. Thyme oil was a major component of an 'ungent' which enbled the user to see fairies but only if the thyme was gathered "neare the side of a hill where fayries used to be."
 

Natural & Medicinal Uses.

According to the writings of Horace (65 BC - 8 BC), the Romans grew thyme extensively for bee culture.
 
Thyme is known to produce flowers that are male on the first day and female on the second along with flowers that are decidedly only female. Muller believed this was the plant's way of attracting insects first to the more showy male pollen-bearing flower prior to visiting the less conspicuous female flowers. Up to and perhaps beyond when the work by Neltje Blanchan that mentioned this theory in 1900, this theory remains unproven.
 
Virgil, in his Eclogue, recommends the use of thyme to combat fatique.
 
"Thestlis for mowers tired with parching heat
Garlic and Thyme, strong smelling herbs, doth beat."

 
Thyme oil was once prescribed for use as an inhalant to treat conpsumption.
 
Culpepper recommended thyme as a remedy for nightmares.
 
Dr. Neovius, wrote in a Finnish Journal about the effectiveness of thyme in combatting whooping cough. He advocated giving fresh thyme with a little syrup could conquor symptoms within 2-3 days and completely expell the disease within 2 weeks.
 
Thymol, a primary component of thyme oil is valued for its disinfecting properties, as an affective treatment for skin affections like psoriasis and exzema, as an inhalant to treat septic sore throat from scarlet fever and ringworm. The disinfecting properties of thyme is said to be up to 12 times as powerful as carbolic acid.
 

 

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