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Origin of the Spice and History

Appears in
The Secret of Spice: Recipes and ideas to help you live longer, look younger and feel your very best

By Tonia Buxton

Published 2019

  • About
Thyme is native to the Mediterranean. Its earliest use is thought to have been as far back as 3000 BC, when the Sumerians of Mesopotamia used it as an antiseptic. Other early usage was by the Egyptians, who were known to rub it into the bodies of the deceased pharaohs as part of the embalming and mummification process. They are also thought to have burned the herb as a way of guiding the dead to the afterlife.
The Greeks also thought very highly of thyme and strongly associated it with bravery. Warriors were thought to have rubbed it on their chests before going into battle, as a way of increasing strength and bravery. It was also seen as a rite of passage for the deceased and a way of guiding warriors who fell in battle. After battles, the Greeks would mix thyme with oil and receive massages to soothe their aches and pains.

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