Joanne Howdle: Lemon thyme will take you away with the faeries
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Beautiful Botanicals by Joanne Howdle
Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is an evergreen perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family, which is native to temperate regions in Asia, Europe and North Africa.
The genus Thymus contains about 350 species and lemon thyme shares the earthy, floral, and minty notes of Thymus, but with a subtle essence of lemon that neutralises the bitterness sometimes found in its more well-known relatives.
The scent and flavour of the botanical are at their strongest in summer, just before the plant begins to bloom. Lemon thyme grows up to 0.1 metres in height and has long, thin sprigs and tiny spear-shaped green leaves.
It has pretty, chartreuse-tinged foliage, with pink or lavender coloured flowers that are nectar/pollen rich and particularly popular with pollinators, attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and moths. Lemon thyme is also a favourite food of caterpillars.
There are several theories as to the origins of the name of the genus Thymus. Some scholars argue that Thymus is derived from the Greek word ‘thumos’ – which means smoke. This might be because the botanical with its fragrant aroma was burnt in temples in Ancient Greece to mask the smell of sacrifices. For this reason, some scholars believe ‘thumos’ gives us the modern word ‘fumigate’.
The word ‘thumos’ can also signify courage and the Ancient Greeks considered Thymus a symbol of bravery. This idea continued into the age of chivalry when ladies would often embroider a bee hovering above a spray of Thymus upon scarves that they would present to their chosen knight and protector.
In Biblical literature, lemon thyme is often referred to as "Our Lady’s Bedstraw" as it was believed that the manger where Mary gave birth to Jesus included thyme, groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and sweet woodroof (Galium odoratum).
German and Danish folklore states that patches of lemon thyme are a good place to find faeries and lemon thyme oil was a major component of an unguent, which was believed to enable the user to see the fair folk.
According to the writings of the Roman lyric poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (December 65 BC – November 8 BC), more commonly known as Horace, the Romans grew lemon thyme as a medicinal herb to treat fatigue, sore throats and toothache. Whilst the English Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper (October 1616 – January 1654), in his book The Complete Herbal (1653), notes that Thymus was a remedy for the prevention of nightmares.
Today the essential oils from the leaves of lemon thyme, which have antiseptic qualities, are used in the manufacture of mouthwash and toothpaste and the production of cosmetics, deodorants and perfume.
Loved for its sweet citrus aroma and taste of its leaves, lemon thyme can be eaten raw in salads or used as a fresh or dried flavouring herb in cooking and herbal teas. Lemon thyme can be used to flavour poultry, seafood and vegetables, and will accentuate the natural flavour profiles of fish and meat dishes. It can be added to marinades, sauces, soups, stews and stuffing.
In gin manufacture, lemon thyme is used to provide a distinct herbaceous sweetness.
- Joanne Howdle is interpretation and engagement manager at the multi-award-winning Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd.
