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History, Lore and Magic of Thyme



The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post:  The Ultimate Guide to Thyme. For additional information about Thyme such as its cultivation, or medicinal and culinary uses, please click HERE to access the complete original post. Other individual sections are listed below:


Thyme

Thyme has a long history of medicinal, culinary, and spiritual uses.  The ancient Egyptians used it in embalming the dead, and the ancient Greeks and Romans used it before going into battle.  It was supposedly used to line the manger of the infant Jesus, and is still a symbol of innocence.  In the Middle Ages it was used to combat the Plague, and it is now a staple of French, Greek, Creole and Cajun cuisines.  
Thyme in a Basket with Scissors

The name Thymus comes from the Greek and may mean "courage", which would be in keeping with its use by soldiers there before going into battle.  But it may derive from the verb meaning "to fumigate", as thyme was often burned in homes to rid houses of stinging insects.  However, it is likely that the courage meaning was the preferred one as there are many instances where thyme denotes courage throughout history.


Embroidered Thyme 

Not only did Greek soldiers bathe in water infused with thyme before going off to war, but Roman soldiers did the same thing.  The Romans believed it gave them vigor and courage for the battle ahead.  Years later, during the Middle Ages, or the Age of Chivalry, ladies embroidered thyme motifs on the scarves of their knights to inspire courage before jousting tournaments.  Thyme is also believed to be one of the herbs that Joseph picked to line the Manger with for Jesus' birth.  It was used as a symbol of courage and endurance for Christ's reign.
Thyme Among Gravestones

Thyme has long been associated with death.  The ancient Egyptians used thyme oil in the mummification process and it is still an ingredient in embalming fluid.  It was once planted on graves in Wales and sprigs of thyme were once carried at the funerals of members of the British secret benevolent society known as the Oddfellows.  It was thought to ease one's passage into the afterlife, and the souls of the dead were thought to rest among its flowers.  The faint smell of thyme has even been detected at the sight of several supposedly "haunted" places.

Can You Smell the Thyme?

One of the more interesting legends about thyme is that its tiny branches were a home to fairies and gardeners used to set aside a patch for them.  This was expected to bring fairies and good luck to the home, or enable the gardener to see them.

Thyme Fairy Garden

I'm sure you are aware of the use of thyme in cooking, but did you know that it also has a bunch of magical uses, as well?  In magic, thyme is said to hold several magical powers.  Its powers arise from traditional medicinal and folkloric uses through history.  These include health, healing, sleep, psychic powers, love, purification, and courage.  Thyme is burned to attract good health and can also be worn for this same purpose.  It is used in healing spells. 



The Greeks burned thyme in their temples to purify them, so it is often burned prior to magical rituals to purify the area.  In the spring, a person can take a magical cleansing bath composed of marjoram and thyme to ensure that all the sorrows and ills of the past are removed from the person.  If thyme is carried, it can be smelled to give courage and energy.  Placed beneath a pillow, it ensures restful sleep and banishes nightmares.
Thyme Smudge Stick

Thyme can be worn, too.  In doing so, it will aid in the development of psychic powers.  It will also allow you to see fairies.  Women who wear a sprig of thyme in their hair are said to make themselves irresistible to men.  This stems from the ancient use of thyme to symbolize innocence, when maidens wore it in their hair to indicate that they were available to marry.

Did you know that flowers and plants have meanings all their own and that you can send messages with them?  In Victorian times, this was a common practice.  In this "language of flowers", thyme means thriftiness, happiness, and courage.  It can also mean activity.  Thyme is said to stimulate the brain and is understood to be very wholesome to elderly people whose energy it seems to restore. 


Silver-Leaf Thyme

Other varieties, besides common thyme, have different meanings. Lemon thyme means enjoyable activity, or "My time with you is a pleasure."  Nutmeg thyme indicates sincere devotion, while silver-leaf thyme says to its receiver:  "Remember our happiness."  

Some of the aromatic uses for thyme include its use in potpourri and sachets.  The leaves and flowering tops are used in sachets, while all parts of the plant can be used in potpourri.  Dried flowers can be used to preserve linen from insects and moths.  Thymol, the primary active essential oil produced by thyme, is used in colognes, aftershave lotions, soaps, and detergents.  Thyme has antiseptic and stimulating properties that make it useful in herbal lotions and baths.   It is also added to disinfectants, toothpastes, perfumes, toiletries, and liqueurs.

Thyme Essential Oil

In museum sciences, thyme is used as a natural preservative.  Its antibacterial and antifungal properties are very useful for this purpose.  It is used to preserve anatomical and herbarium specimens.  It also is used in document conservation as it will protect paper from mold and mildew by killing the organisms that cause it.
Golden Lemon Thyme

The dried leaves of lemon thyme are more often used in potpourris and herb pillows than those of common or creeping thyme.  This is because lemon thyme has a bit different kind of essential oil that is less irritating than other thymes.  Lemon thyme is often used in aromatherapy, too, as the thymol in common thyme can be very irritating to mucus membranes and nasal passages.
Thyme in a Bottle

This is always the most interesting part of studying a particular herb for me.  How did people come up with this stuff and arrive at these conclusions?  What serendipitous events occurred to make healers in history believe that thyme could have these effects on their patients?  It just boggles the mind! 
Thyme and Bay Leaf "Covenant"

 Please find below several Potpourri Recipes that use thyme in their mixtures.  Click on the link to access the ingredients and instructions for each one.

I hope that this may have answered some questions you may have had about various historical uses for thyme.  Please leave any additional questions or comments in the space below!

Peace and Love Always,









Thyme with a Book

Sources:
Bremness, Leslie. RD Home Handbook: Herbs. Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Association, 1990. Print.

Brown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.

Clevely, Andi, and Katherine Richmond. The Complete Book of Herbs. New York: Smithmark, 1994. Print.

Cunnningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992. Print.

Gips, Kathleen. Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers . Chagrin Falls: TM Publications, 1995. Print.

"Health Benefits Of Thyme: Medicinal Uses Of A Favorite Herb". Natural Society. N. p., 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.

Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs . Emmaus: Rodale, 1987. Print.

Kruger, Anna. An Illustrated Guide to Herbs. Stamford: Longmeadow, 1993. Print.

"Medicinal Thyme - History And Modern Uses". NaturalNews Blogs. N. p., 2016. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.

"Medicinal Uses Of Thyme | Off The Grid News". Offthegridnews.com. N. p., 2016. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.

Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1986. Print.

Shaudys, Phyllis V. Herbal Treasures. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1990. Print.

"Thyme Leaf Benefits ". Anniesremedy.com. N. p., 2016. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.

"THYME: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions And Warnings - Webmd". Webmd.com. N. p., 2016. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.

"What Are The Health Benefits Of Thyme?". Medical News Today. N. p., 2016. Web. 20 Nov. 2016


Photo Credits:
History, Lore, and Magic of Thyme Background:  Photo Credit:  Thyme tied on rusty background with copy space.  Top view, flat lay by Vladislav Nosik

Thyme:   Photo credit: poppet with a camera via Visual hunt / CC BY

Thyme in a Basket with Scissors:  Photo Credit:  Thyme by zia_shusha

Embroidered Thyme:  Photo Credit:  Thyme Embroidered Brooch by Sidereal on Etsy


Can You Smell the Thyme?  Photo Credit:  http://www.all-nationz.com/archives/1027353386.html

Thyme Fairy Garden:  Photo Credit:  http://herbgatherings.com/fairygardens.html

Thyme Smudge Stick:  Photo Credit:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/449227606/thyme-smudge-stick

Silver-Leaf Thyme:  Photo Credit:  http://adopt-a-plant.com/wordpress/2015-plants/herbs


Golden Lemon Thyme:  Photo Credit:  http://www.keyword-suggestions.com/bGVtb24gdGh5bWU/

Thyme in a Bottle:  Photo Credit:  fresh thyme on a glass jar by keko64

 Thyme and Bay Leaf Covenant:  Photo Credit:  dried thyme covenant and bay leaf by Studio7192

Thyme with a Book:  Photo Credit:  Sprigs of fresh thyme by zia_shusha

History, Lore, and Magic of Thyme Background:  Photo Credit:  Thyme tied on rusty background with copy space.  Top view, flat lay by Vladislav Nosik

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