“Thymus” meant “courage” in ancient Greek; the herb was associated with style and elegance. In the Middle Ages, thyme symbolized chivalry. A bed of thyme was also thought to be a home for fairies. In France, the herb was considered to be an outward indication of the Republican spirit that led the French people to [...]
“The young sow wild oats; the old sow sage,” goes the adage. Arabians associated sage with immortality while the Romans called it salva, or in Latin, to “heal” or “save.” (Hence, the modern-day word “salvation.”) There are hundreds of varieties of sage, ranging from the purple-flowered common sage to the more exotic varieties like pineapple [...]
This herb–which smells a bit like a pine forest–has been used since the days of the ancient Greeks. Back then, it was considered to be a memory aid–students wore garlards of it while studying for exams. It protected against evil spirits in medieval times, and in the 1500s in Europe, it was used to perfume [...]
Garlic may well be the most potent herb on the planet. Egyptian medical writings dating back to 1550 B.C.E. speak of its curative powers, Pliny listed it as being a remedy for over 60 ailments, and Romans ate it before going into battle to give them strength. Garlic, it was believed, was the chosen herb [...]
Its Greek name originally meant “joy of the mountain.” Aphrodite, it was said, created oregano to be a symbol of happiness. Today, its most common uses in the States are in pizza sauces and Greek salad dressing. There are also Turkish and Mexican varieties of oregano; each differs slightly in taste. Brazilians, Cubans, and Colombians [...]
This false relative of parsley–sometimes called Chinese parsley–is the world’s most-widely consumed fresh herb. Cilantro is used extensively in Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern cooking. Culantro, a closely-related plant, is native to Latin American and the Caribbean and is used often in Puerto Rican and Cuban cuisine. Traditional salsa, salsa verde, the [...]
Bay leaves come from bay trees, which in Latin is a Laurus. In Roman times, a wreath or crown made from bay leaves was a sign of honor for its bearer. (Think of the phrase “to rest on one’s laurels.”) Kings, priests, prophets, poets, and the victors of both scholarly and athletic contests wore laurels [...]
Ah, one of the world’s most celebrated herbs! The French call it herbe royale, it’s considered sacred in India (and is often planted around temples and shrines), and it’s a sign of love in Italy. There are more than fifty species of basil; their various iterations are ubiquitous in cuisines ranging from Thailand to the [...]
