"I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows."
William Shakespeare
Herbal enchantment
This member of the mint family has a long
history of fans that sing its praises,
including Shakespeare, who used thyme
as the sleeping abode of the Queen of
Fairies in his play A Midsummer Night's
Dream. In medieval times, thyme represented
courage and it was customary for ladies
to present their knights with embroidery
depicting a bee hovering over a sprig
of thyme. The nectar of the pink and purple
blossoms enthralls bees and thyme honey
has been prized as a gourmet delight since
ancient times.
Uses and varieties
Aromatic thyme can also be used to flavor
salads, soups, entres, and saucesadd
this herb to butter to make a fresh summery
spread. There are many varieties to try:
Garden thyme is the most common; lemon
thyme adds a citrus twist to your recipes;
silver thyme is believed to be one of
the most flavorful. Thyme is also used
in herbal and alternative medicine for
its antiseptic and antioxidant advantages,
and thyme tea is often recommended for
someone with a cold.
Soothe dry skin
To experience the refreshing skincare
capabilities of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
and soothe dry and flaky skin, try DHC Micro
Skin Water - nothing beats it on a warm day.
This cooling mist toner also contains calming
green tea. Use it after cleansing or anytime,
anywhere to rejuvenate your complexion and your
makeup.
Herb drying 101
It's easy to dry fresh herbs from your
garden or farmer's market. If you have
the luxury of having this wonderful herb
in your garden, for the best flavor pick
it just before it blooms, harvesting it
in the early morning, after the dew has
evaporated. |