illustrated greetings card with thyme seeds

Illustrated A6 blank card, with thyme seeds to sow and grow, handmade from our workshop in Pembrokeshire. Card, envelope and seed packet made from 100% recycled paper.

Colloquially known as common, garden, Shepherd’s and Mother’s thyme, the herb was a favourite in the classical world and was possibly introduced to the British Isles by the Romans. Associated with instilling confidence, the Greek word ‘thymus’ is believed to derive from thymon, meaning ‘courage’. Incredibly aromatic, thyme is a perennial plant that grows low to the ground with tiny dark leaves and produces small pinkish-white flowers in spring and summer which are loved by bees and butterflies. All parts of the plant are fragrant and will keep their aroma for years to come. 

Originating in the Mediterranean, the medicinal properties of thyme have been utilised for thousands of years. In fact, the ancient Egyptians were known to use thyme oil when embalming their dead, while Christian tradition says that thyme was one of the herbs placed in baby Jesus’ manger. The plant is highly antiseptic as well as containing antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, anthelmintic and expectorant properties, making it on of the best herbs for treating coughs, sore throats and mouth problems, as well as helping with digestion and bloating. 

Thyme is a classic herb in the kitchen and any roast is incomplete without a generous sprinkling of the leaves. Found growing wild on Greek hillsides, thyme gives Greek honey its distinctive flavour and historically the plant was rubbed onto bee-hives to attract the bees. 

Note: do not use in large quantities if pregnant.