Herbs - Savory (Satureja ).

What Is It?

Several types of savory (a small shrubby plant) exist. The main ones are summer savory (S. hortensis), a herbaceous annual, and winter savory (S. Montana), a perennial woody shrub. Both species are native to Southern Europe and N Africa, but now grow world-wide. The whole herb is used in cooking and herbal medicine. In Germany it is known as the ‘bean-herb’ as it is reputed to reduce wind and gas.

Action

The main active compound in savory is the volatile oil, which contains a variety of different compounds. It is said to be carminative (wind relieving), expectorant, astringent, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation), antifungal and vermifuge (expels worms). Summer savory is also antimicrobial and antispasmodic.

Uses

Historically it has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

• Asthma
• Catarrh
• Colic
• Flatulence
• Indigestion
• Intestinal parasites
• Insect bites, bee and wasp stings (topically)
• Menstrual problems
• Nausea
• Sore throats

Other information

The leaves can be infused to make a herbal tea for internal use, or rubbed directly onto insect bites and stings. It is rarely used in modern herbal medicine, more commonly found in culinary dishes to add a peppery flavour - and helping with digestion.

Cautions

• Savory should be avoided during pregnancy and has not been sufficiently studied during lactation.



• The oil of savory contains some compounds which are though to be toxic, and may irritate the mucosa of the skin.



• At the time of writing there are no other well -known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications.

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