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In Britain, thyme was long regarded as the favourite flower of the fairies, who loved its sweet and delicate fragrance. The English philosopher and statesman Sir Francis Bacon wrote that it perfumed the air "most delightly" and in his Essays (1597-1625) he recommended it as a border for garden paths. Bees are strongly attracted to its nectar. In the Middle Ages, ladies embroidered symbolic favours for their suitors showing a bee alighting on a sprig of thyme. the plant was not always associated with love. Its name comes from the Greek thumon meaning "that which is included in a sacrifice" and it was sometimes planted on graves. Together with mint and sage, thyme is one of Britains best known and widely used culinary herbs. If dried and stored carefully, it retains it taste and smell for years. Its leaves contain thymol, an aromatic oil with antiseptic and preservative qualities. Thyme is mentioned bt Oberon in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream: "I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows. Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows ...". Extract from the Reader's Digest Field Guide to Wild Flowers |
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