Bruce Burnett asked:
Mythologically, medicinally and horticulturally, Lemon
Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is almost
identical to English or Common or Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), but in the kitchen the exquisite flavor and
aroma of this marvelous herb set it apart.
It grows
well in most climates and prefers a light, sandy, well-drained, dry soil in full
sun. It is one of the easiest herbs to grow in pots and will enhance the
appearance of rock walls and stone pathways. Lemon thyme comes in both a
creeping variety (Thymus pulegiodes) and
a Lemon Carpet Thyme (Thymus herba-barona
cv.), the latter developed by Richter’s Herbs in Goodwood, Ontario.
Many old herb gardens include
the visual pun of a “thyme clock” – a thyme topiary shaped into a clock dial
with hands permanently set at whatever hour holds some significance for the
gardener.
The word
Thymus is Greek for “courage,” but
its application to the herb may be related to the Greek word meaning “to
fumigate,” for the herb was burned to drive unwelcome insects from a house.
Thyme was also worn and burned to attract good health.
In
Ireland, a bed of thyme is set aside in the garden as a home to the fairies and
the legend claims that if you wash your eyes with the dew from the herb on May
1st you will be privileged to see these tiny mischievous creatures. Thyme
placed under your pillow will ward off nightmares and ensure a good night’s
sleep.
Medicinally,
thyme may be used internally and externally, but the essential oil should never
be taken internally nor applied undiluted to the skin. Recent research has
indicated that thyme is such a powerful tonic that it is an effective counter
to age-related problems. Added to a hot bath it is certainly a potent muscle
relaxer. The herb is vigorously antiseptic and as a lotion it can be applied
directly to infected wounds. As an infusion or in a gargle, thyme may be used
to treat laryngitis and tonsillitis. Lemon thyme particularly has a reliable
reputation in the care of whooping cough and bronchitis.
But it’s
in the kitchen that lemon thyme excels. Almost no other herb will compliment
fish or chicken as well. One caveat: unlike common thyme, lemon thyme doesn’t
retain its flavor when dried, so use fresh whenever possible.
Here’s a
rich chicken dish that uses only lemon thyme and no other herb:
Lemon-Thymely Chicken:
4 boneless chicken breasts
1/8 cup of packed fresh lemon
thyme
Mythologically, medicinally and horticulturally, Lemon
Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is almost
identical to English or Common or Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), but in the kitchen the exquisite flavor and
aroma of this marvelous herb set it apart.
It grows
well in most climates and prefers a light, sandy, well-drained, dry soil in full
sun. It is one of the easiest herbs to grow in pots and will enhance the
appearance of rock walls and stone pathways. Lemon thyme comes in both a
creeping variety (Thymus pulegiodes) and
a Lemon Carpet Thyme (Thymus herba-barona
cv.), the latter developed by Richter’s Herbs in Goodwood, Ontario.
Many old herb gardens include
the visual pun of a “thyme clock” – a thyme topiary shaped into a clock dial
with hands permanently set at whatever hour holds some significance for the
gardener.
The word
Thymus is Greek for “courage,” but
its application to the herb may be related to the Greek word meaning “to
fumigate,” for the herb was burned to drive unwelcome insects from a house.
Thyme was also worn and burned to attract good health.
In
Ireland, a bed of thyme is set aside in the garden as a home to the fairies and
the legend claims that if you wash your eyes with the dew from the herb on May
1st you will be privileged to see these tiny mischievous creatures. Thyme
placed under your pillow will ward off nightmares and ensure a good night’s
sleep.
Medicinally,
thyme may be used internally and externally, but the essential oil should never
be taken internally nor applied undiluted to the skin. Recent research has
indicated that thyme is such a powerful tonic that it is an effective counter
to age-related problems. Added to a hot bath it is certainly a potent muscle
relaxer. The herb is vigorously antiseptic and as a lotion it can be applied
directly to infected wounds. As an infusion or in a gargle, thyme may be used
to treat laryngitis and tonsillitis. Lemon thyme particularly has a reliable
reputation in the care of whooping cough and bronchitis.
But it’s
in the kitchen that lemon thyme excels. Almost no other herb will compliment
fish or chicken as well. One caveat: unlike common thyme, lemon thyme doesn’t
retain its flavor when dried, so use fresh whenever possible.
Here’s a
rich chicken dish that uses only lemon thyme and no other herb:
Lemon-Thymely Chicken:
4 boneless chicken breasts
1/8 cup of packed fresh lemon
thyme
