SWEET HERBS 



leaves makes an astringent gargle, Sage tea is administered for a 

 nervous headache, and a mixture of Sage and honey is a specific 

 for cankered sore mouth. 



Gerard, writing in 1596, says: "Sage is good for the head and 

 the brain; it quickens the memory and the senses. The juice of 

 the leaves mixed with honey is good for those who spit blood. No 

 man needs to doubt of the wholesomeness of Sage." 



THYME 



Thymus vulgaris. , 



Thymus, classical name of doubtful origin; possibly denotes that 

 the plant was used as an incense in Greek temples. 



A low, half -shrubby perennial, with a strong mint-like odor. The 

 leaves and stems yield an oil from which by distillation is obtained the 

 drug Thymol. 



Stem. — Erect, 



base sometimes decumbent, one to two feet high; 

 branches stiff, usually pubescent. 



Leaves. — SmaU, linear to ovate-lanceolate, acute, 

 margins more or less revolute. 



Flowers. — Small, two-lipped, lilac or purplish, borne 

 in whorls, forming terminal interrupted spikes. 



Calyx. — Five-toothed and two-lipped. 



Corolla. — Small, two-lipped; upper lip two-toothed 

 and erect; the lower three-cleft and spreading. 



Stamens. — Four, in two pairs, exserted. 



Ovary. — Four-parted, ripening into four seed-like 

 akenes. 



I know a bank whereon the wild thyme grows. 



— Shakespeare. 



Sweet Thyme was highly prized by the Romans 

 who used it in many ways for seasoning food. 

 The Greeks never wearied of singing the praises 

 of the honey made from the Tliyme that grew on 

 the flanks of Hymettus. Ovid, Virgil, and Pliny 

 all speak of Thyme in connection with bees; no doubt the honey 

 made from its flowers possesses a pungent and aromatic flavor. 



520 



Thyme. Thymus 

 intlghris 



