The Romans bathed in thyme to give them vigour before battle, and it’s not such a crazy idea as modern research suggests that thyme has anti-ageing properties that can be absorbed through the skin. A bunch of thyme, as the song goes, left to steep in the bath is much more pleasant than using botox and folklore suggests it can even prevent the hair growing grey.

In the Middle Ages, ladies would embroider thyme onto tokens they gave to their knights-errant, and soup made with beer and thyme was considered to cure shyness. We still use beer for this effect.

Rich in thymol, a potent antiseptic, thyme was included in posies carried by the nobility to ward off the diseases of the poor. The name is believed to come from the Greek word, thymon, meaning ‘to fumigate’ and it has long been used as a form of incense.

Today we know it can also stimulate digestion, particularly with fatty foods, combat chest infections, ease muscular cramps and makes a fine cough remedy. Wild thyme, known as ‘the mother of thyme’ (there are over 100 species), was used for aromatic lawns by the Elizabethans and was considered unlucky to bring into the house as it was believed to hasten the death of the occupants.

This information is purely for the interest of the reader and should not be taken as medical advice. If you wish to utilise herbal remedies, please consult a qualified herbalist before doing so.