French thyme

Thyme has traced a long path from ancient gardens to modern fragrance labs. Egyptians recorded thyme in their burial rites around 1500 BC, valuing its preservative qualities. Greeks and Romans later used thyme in baths and as a symbol of courage, often burning it as incense. In medieval France, monastic gardens cultivated thyme for both culinary and medicinal purposes, and the herb’s essential oil was extracted using rudimentary steam methods. By the 18th century, French apothecaries began selling thyme oil as a tonic. The rise of Grasse as the perfume capital in the 19th century brought thyme into the spotlight; factories there incorporated the oil into floral blends to add brightness and longevity. During World War I, French perfumers turned to thyme as a readily available local resource when traditional flower supplies were disrupted. Today, French thyme remains a cornerstone of aromatic compositions, linking centuries of botanical tradition with contemporary scent design.