What is the significance of thyme

And then there were the herbs. There would have been a large assortment, but surely parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme would have been among them. After all, Simon and Garfunkel told us so, in the lyrics of Scarborough Fair, the memorable ballad featured on the soundtrack of the movie The Graduate:. While Simon and Garfunkel catapulted the song to fame, various versions of the melody and lyrics can be traced to the 17th century.

Some historians claim that these specific herbs were mentioned both because of their medicinal properties and the mystical belief at the time that herbs had the ability to influence emotions. Parsley, for example, was thought to remove bitter feelings in the same way it eliminated bad odours. Chewing fresh parsley was a long-standing antidote to bad breath. In the Middle Ages, sage was one of the components of a concoction known as Four Thieves Vinegar, which claimed to offer protection against the plague.

Rosemary was also part of that potion, but historically the herb is better known for its supposed memory-enhancing effect. In ancient Greece, so the story goes, students would hang rosemary around their neck to improve memory and concentration.

That might have worked, had they also prepared for their exams while sniffing rosemary. Modern studies have shown that recall is improved when subjects are exposed to the same smell during a test as during the learning process.

The strong, lingering scent of rosemary may well have been responsible for its inclusion in medieval wedding bouquets as a symbol reminding lovers of their vows. Thyme also has a long-lasting and pleasing scent, which was thought to ward off melancholy. The ancient Greeks placed some in their baths.

There was also a more practical reason for sale of these herbs. Microbial contamination of food was a scourge at the time, and many herbs and spices are known to contain compounds with antimicrobial activity. Thyme oil, for example, is being explored today for its antibacterial effect, particularly against Listeria monocytogenes. During Medieval times thyme mixed with honey, was considered a potent remedy to combat lung disease.

In England, thyme had an unusual link with religion; the souls of murdered dead were thought to live in the flowers of thyme and it is planted on graves especially in Wales. Since the Medieval Era thyme has been prescribed to prevent nightmares and to tone the nervous system. In France during the years of the Republic, leaves of thyme served a political symbol. A soup of beer and thyme is considered an antidote to shyness. Thyme eaten on the eve of St. Agnes January 20 th , reportedly, eases the pain of a lovesick girl or boy.

On the eve of St. It started with a preparation. A single daffodil foretells a misfortune while a bunch of daffodils indicate joy and happiness. Daisy symbolizes innocence and purity. Should I let thyme flower? Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn't compromised by letting the plant bloom.

What is a symbol of joy? What is lavender a symbol of? Lavender Meaning Lavender flowers are known to represent purity, silence, devotion serenity, grace and calmness. In addition to the flower's significance, its purple color also comes with great symbolism.

Purple is the color of royalty and speaks of elegance, refinement and luxury. What is the significance of Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme? Is thyme a vegetable?

Thymes are relatives of the oregano genus Origanum. They have culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses, and the species most commonly cultivated and used for culinary purposes is Thymus vulgaris.

How do you represent love? The best known, universal symbol of love is the heart-shaped ideograph, and it symbolizes the core of romantic love, affectionate emotion and caring.

The Ankh. The Menat.