Thyme, the herb of Death

While walking through a very old garden cemetery, I happened to noticed for the first time, a very steep embankment that was covered in something that was clearly not grass. Little purple blossoms were peeking out here and there in bunches within the massive green carpet of the stuff. My friend who is an avid landscaper told me to pick a bit of the green ground cover and crush it between my fingers.

Instantly I recognized the pungent aroma from stews and stuffings that I have made countless times in my own kitchen. There was no doubt, it was Thyme. 

She told me that thyme was a common plant to be found growing unchecked in the oldest of cemeteries. THIS fact, I had never heard of. I was intrigued. She went on to tell me that this fragrant little herb was commonly planted in cemeteries of antiquity to mask.... well, odours.

I had to know more about this so I did a little research and was shocked at the many uses of thyme and it's long and close association with death.

Wild or creeping thyme or Thymus Serpyllum, a species of the mint family, has been used in death practices and various rituals all the way back to Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used thyme in their embalming practices. The Greeks burnt thyme as an incense in their temples, believing it to be a source of courage. Roman soldiers, who may be away from home for long periods of time, slept on the herb to help them with melancholy.

The practice of sleeping on thyme can also be found in the Middle Ages when Europeans used sprigs of thyme under their pillows to ward off nightmares.







Teas made of thyme were promised to relieve ailments such as headaches and hangovers.

It was also encouraged to plant thyme for the bees as it was said to fortify them.

Patches of thyme were even set aside by gardeners who thought them to be inhabited by fairies.

 Due to it's fragrant aroma, thyme along with lavender, was sprinkled on the floors of churches to purify the air. For those of you who aren't aware... long ago, people were once buried under the floors of churches and well, with no Lysol around. You get the picture.

Thyme has been burnt as a purifying incense for as long as sage has.  It has also long been placed into coffins during funerals. This practice was thought to help insure the departed one's passage into the next life.

Members of the Fraternal Order of Odd fellows carry sprigs of thyme during their funeral rites. They ceremonially throw the herb into the open grave of their passed members.

 The practice of planting creeping thyme in cemeteries can be found beginning in Wales. This made sense to me since I realized that some of the earliest slate stones in New England were imported on ships from Wales. The Island of Wales has long been known for it's thriving slate industry. My mind made the instant connection, if settlers were bringing over stones the knew well for carving, maybe they were bringing other bits of cemetery tradition with them as well... fragrant, spreading thyme plants. 

Some British citizens hold to an age old death superstition dealing with thyme... 

 

It is thought that bringing thyme sprigs into a house will also bring death or illness to a family member within that house.

 Thyme is also said to be a phantom scent common with haunted locations.

Today, thyme may be a common herb found in the household spice rack but this noble herb has quite an interesting list of uncommon uses and a mystical, almost magical wealth of folklore attached to it.