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A wide variety of plants growing in the Medieval Herb Garden on a sunny day

Medieval herb garden blog 73: Common thyme

Tuesday, June 02, 2026

Week 73 volunteer update

Because of the recent rain, the weeds were back with a vengeance. How many times do we have to weed in front of the lavender?

However, as it was due to rain every day this week, it was time to get planting! Kim tidied up around the liquorice. It had shifted sideways by about 3 ft (90 cm) because of the woodruff growing around it. Carole planted out some nasturtiums between the rosemary on the drystone wall by the keep. There are a few spaces left but more will be ready to plant out in a couple of weeks or so. Carole finished the flower-count and put some more tomato plants on the sales barrow.

As the weather was “on the turn” they then went to join others at the annual Volunteer Celebration.

At the end of last week, we had a new generation of spiders on the rosemary.

Lots of tiny spiders on a spiderweb spun between rosemary leaves

Spiders (in bloom?) in the Medieval Herb Garden

Plant of the week: Common thyme (thymus vulgaris)

The word 'thyme' originated from the Greek 'thýmon'. This is thought to come from the verb 'thyein' (to 'sacrifice' or 'smoke'). Ancient Greeks burned the herb as incense during religious ceremonies. 'Tymon' is closely related to the Greek word 'thýmos', ('spirit', 'mind', 'passion' or 'courage').

By the Middle Ages, the English adopted the word 'thyme' from the Old French 'thym' version. This had evolved from the Latin 'thymum'. 'Vulgaris' is Latin for 'common'.

Its other common names are garden thyme, pot-herb thyme and German thyme.

Common thyme is native to Southern Europe. It is an aromatic, bushy, woody, dwarf, evergreen, perennial shrub. It is hemaphroditic (containing male and female parts). It prefers to grow in alkaline-to-neutral, well-drained soil, in full sun.

Thyme has small, edible, linear to ovate leaves. They are dark grey-green and have a strong smell. The plant grows to a height of 1 ft (30 cm) with a spread of 18 inches (20 cm).

Thyme flowers in early summer. It produces terminal spikes of tiny whorled flowers. The flowers are white or pink / purple.

Common thyme has a fibrous, highly-branched root system. It develops a shallow network of woody, fine roots. These typically stay within the top 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) of soil. This quickly takes out all the goodness in the soil.

The fruit is a small, brown schizocarp. When dried, it splits into four tiny globose nutlets. Each nutlet measures about 1 mm in length and contains a single seed. There are about 170,000 seeds to the ounce (28 g).

Common thyme’s smell can be described as “crisp, earthy notes blended with subtle hints of mint, wood, and warm peppery spice”. Its flavour has been said to be “complex, earthy, and slightly minty”, being “slightly spicier than oregano and sweeter than sage”.

Lots of tiny pale pink flower clusters growing on the end of green leaves

Common thyme in flower in the Medieval Herb Garden

Culinary uses of common thyme

Thyme leaves can be used either fresh or dried. The leaves and flowering tops can be used raw in salads or used as a garnish. It is an essential ingredient of the herb mix 'bouquet garni’ and 'Herbes de Provence'. It retains its flavour well in long, slow cooking.

Thyme is used in flavouring stuffings, sauces, pickles, stews and soups. It is frequently used in marinades and rubs. It is a common seasoning for roast chicken, lamb, pork, beef, potatoes, beans, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Use of common thyme as a dye plant

Common thyme produces shades of yellow, green and grey.

Folklore and other facts about common thyme

The Ancient Egyptians used common thyme as a preservative and for its antibacterial qualities. It was used during embalming to slow decomposition and mask smells.

In Ancient Rome, thyme was a symbol of courage and vitality. Soldiers bathed in thyme oil before battle. They believed it gave them bravery, strength and courage. Like the Greeks before them, they carried sprigs with them on campaigns. The Romans also used it to flavour cheese.

By the Middle Ages, common thyme had become a token of valour and protection. It was worn by knights. It was also thought that hanging wild thyme around doors or windows would ward off witchcraft and plagues. They also believed that planting it invited “good fairies” into your garden, especially on Midsummer Night.

In Scottish and Welsh folklore, common thyme was a flower of both love and mourning. Young women wore sprigs to attract lovers. It was also scattered on coffins to honour the dead.

The dried flowers have been used to preserve linen from insects.

Common thyme’s thymol is a standard active ingredient in commercial mouthwashes. This is because of its antibacterial properties.

Common thyme is pollinated by bees, flies, moths and butterflies.

Medieval medicinal uses of common thyme*

We now know that common thyme is antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and carminative (relieves gas). For centuries, people have used it for coughs, colds, and other respiratory troubles. It was also used to expel after-births, and to dissolve clotted or congealed blood in the body. It was used to kill worms and eased sciatica.

It helped with “the pain in the side and breast, against the wind in the side and belly”. It was “profitable also for such as are fearful, melancholic, and troubled in mind”.

However, thyme oil can cause allergic reactions and irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.

*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.

Medieval herb garden blogs

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