A Matter of Thyme Herbal knowledge is an essential part of cultural traditions in Poland. Revisiting Polish folk knowledge, A Matter of Thyme goes beyond the typical culinary and botanical qualities of herbs, to consider how plants used for female bodily autonomy came to be considered weeds. The Thyme Machine is a ceramic steam distillation system developed in cooperation with the EKWC Oisterwijk. The system facilitates an interactive demonstration of how freshly harvested herbs are converted into essential oil and hydrolates. In light of the current reproductive rights restriction in Poland and elsewhere, A Matter of Thyme is intended as a tool to facilitate the ongoing transmission of knowledge traditionally shared orally across generations. It intends to amplify stories of empowerment and community, while simultaneously cautioning against back-alley methods such as herbs. ————————— Warmest Thank Yous to: @yuval.yh for being my herb fairy model; @ekwc_oisterwijk @fablabekwc for making the impossible come to life in the form of ceramics; the glorious minds and souls of my @designacademyeindhoven tutors; all the botanists, biomedical engineers, gynecologists, distillation chemist's and glorious brains that spread their knowledge; to all the loving helping hands, hysterical phonecalls, field screams and happy cheers and tears along the way:))! #amatterofthyme #steamdistillation #thymusvulgaris #socialdesign #herbalknowledge #herbaleducation #ekwc #ceramics #copperoxide #steelframe #reproductiverights #poland #zioła #designacademyeindhoven #urbanbotanist #herbalwitch #contraception #sharingknowledge #essentialoil #herbalgarden #thethymeisnow