Strewing Herbs - Ancient Aromatherapy Technique

"But those herbs which perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by all the rest, but, being trodden upon and crushed, are three; that is, burnet, wild-thyme and watermints. Therefore, you are to set whole alleys of them to have the pleasure when you walk or tread."

Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and Moral,

 1601

Strewing herbs were used along with rushes and or straw as a floor covering throughout Europe from the late medieval to early Renaissance periods (~1000 to 1650 AD). The rushes and straw provided cushioning to the occupants feet, provided warmth in the winter, and helped to absorb excess moisture from rain, sleet, snow, and spilt food and beverages. These plant materials were used to cover the floors of houses before carpets were commonly used as a floor covering.

A variety of herbs were often used along with the rushes and straw in order to exploit their aromatic and insect repellent properties. These herbs were called stewing herbs because they were thrown or strewn upon the floors. The occupants of the house would cause the herbs to be crushed underfoot as they went about their daily business causing the herbs essential oils to be released. Strewing herbs would be used in all areas of the household including the dinning hall, kitchen, and bedrooms.

What are Rushes?
Rush is the common name given to a variety of plant materials which are found in abundance in wet areas of the countryside such as streambeds, riverbanks, swamps and marshes.

Sweet flag (Acorus Calamus) - is a very aromatic plant with iris like leaves. It was a common plant found growing in abundance in wetland-like conditions.

Common rush (Juncus conglomerates) and common bulrush (Scripus ancestries) were also commonly used for floor coverings. They not only helped to soften the tread, but also freshened the air and provided protection against the cold.