Thyme and time, again

By Chelsie Vandaveer

February 25, 2002

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Grandma Gurney's Herb Garden, Rosemary, Mint, & more—>Click here.

Thyme of Death by Susan Wittig Albert—>Click here.

Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris Linnaeus) is a centuries-old potherb native to the western Mediterranean. The herb was called thymon by the ancient Greeks from thyein meaning to make a burnt offering. Thyme was burned as incense in temples and later to sanctify or purify houses.

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Thymon was apparently later confused with the Greek word thymos meaning mind, soul, spirit, and courage. A person said 'to smell of thyme' meant someone of admirable style, activity, and energy. Gerard's Herbal (1633) declares of thyme, "Of his native propertie it relieveth them which be melancholicke." The herb was taken as a cordial to invigorate and inspire courage.

During the age of chivalry, a lady embroidered a design of thyme with a honeybee on a scarf for her champion. The knight carried the scarf as a symbol; she would not mind him hovering around.

This 'affection' of honeybees for thyme was noted by the ancients. Virgil's Georgic IV (29 BC) is dedicated "Of air-born honey, gift of heaven", a treatise on beekeeping. Virgil mentions thyme honey or the use of thyme in six places.

The 'essence' of thyme is a crystalline phenol, thymol. Thymol is a useful disinfectant having both antifungal and antibacterial properties. Since 1987, a parasitic mite (Varroa jacobsonii) has been causing the loss of honeybees in North America. In studies by the apiculture industry, it appears the mite is susceptible to thymol.

Smoke is known to calm bees. By trial and error, the ancient keepers learned to use burning thyme. In later lines on the maintenance of beehives, Virgil asks, "Yet who would fear to fumigate with thyme, Or cut the empty wax away?"

Texas A and M has posted a photograph of Thymus vulgaris taken by Thomas Schoepke. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/schoepke/thy_vu_1.jpg

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

Who were the lavenders? Plants that Changed History - March 25, 2003
What was the Vinegar of Four Thieves? What's in a Name? - July 18, 2003
What's wrong with the modern honeybee? Renfield's Garden - June 5, 2002
What could disappear from the earth? Renfield's Garden - January 8, 2003
Why is this herb called parsley? What's in a Name? - January 24, 2003

Killer Savings Links: Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.

Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.

Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.

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		Grandma Gurney's Herb Garden Gurney's Seed and Nursery® The Gourmet Way of Flavor Food! So much better than dried and flash frozen herbs in the supermarket! Save $1.50 You get 1 packet each of: Lavender: A light, sweet favorite for sachets, perfume, potpourri. Aromatic gray-green leaves, sprinkled with tiny lavender flowers. Perennial. Approximately 100 seeds per packet. 60 days.
Dill: Pungent seeds are a must for your pickling brines. Feathery leaves perk up fish, seafood, dips and sauces. Use dried, fresh or frozen. Annual. Approximately 300 seeds per packet. 60 days. Sweet Basil: A truly intriguing mix of flavors--offers subtle hints of mint, cloves and anise. Extremely popular in salads and vegetable dishes. Annual. Approximately 150 seeds per packet. 85 days. Oregano: Strong, pungent, peppery--there's no substitute for this one! Essential for authentic Italian food. Perennial. Approximately 250 seeds per packet. 90 days. Sage: A smoky, woodsy taste and aroma traditionally popular for poultry stuffing. Perennial. Approximately 100 seeds per packet. 75 days. This Item Ships In Both Spring And Fall  Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! Vegetable Seeds For Sale - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!
		Rosemary Herbs Gurney's Seed and Nursery® Ever-Popular Poultry Seasoning Narrow, spiky leaves have a piney, bittersweet flavoring that's a must for roast chicken. Favored scent for spicy potpourris, too. Grows as an annual in the North. 85 DAYS. So much better than the dried and flash-frozen herbs in the supermarket!
This Item Ships In The Spring  Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! Comments: Annual. Semi-evergreen, shrub-type plant. Light blue flowers in April-May. Valued for culinary and ornamental uses. Repels insects. Piney-mint flavor and aroma. Vegetable Plants For Sale - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!
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So much better than the dried and flash-frozen herbs in the supermarket! This Item Ships In The Spring  Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! Comments: Includes: Applemint-(Mentha suaveciens), spearmint (mentha spicata) and peppermint. Spearmint-(Mentha spicata) Peppermint-(Mentha x peperita) Easy to grow varieties. Harvest as needed. Perennial plants. Vegetable Plants For Sale - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!
		Sweet Basil Herbs Gurney's Seed and Nursery® Hearty Aroma and Flavor A truly intriguing mix of flavors--offers subtle hints of mint, cloves and anise. Extremely popular in salads and vegetable dishes. Sweet Basil is an annual. 85 DAYS. No. 1 plants. So much better than the dried and flash-frozen herbs in the supermarket!
This Item Ships In The Spring  Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! Comments: Annual. One of the most popular cooking herbs. Large, 2 inch, dark green leaves. Spicy fragrance and flavor. Prefers warm areas. Vegetable Plants For Sale - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!
		French Tarragon Herbs Gurney's Seed and Nursery® Prized by Good Cooks Tender shoots and leaves with peppery, anise-like flavor and a hint of vanilla. A gourmet favorite for seasoning meats, sauces and piquant wine vinegars. Easy-care perennial grows 2-3 feet tall, spreads slowly. No. 1 plant. So much better than the dried and flash-frozen herbs in the supermarket!
This Item Ships In The Spring  Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! Comments: Prefers full sun. Peppery/anise flavor. Dig and split root every 2 years. Fragrant, easy-care perennial. Perfect for windowsill gardens. Vegetable Plants For Sale - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!
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