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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.


SAVORY
(Satureja sp)
winter savory summer savory
Images
See Savory Varieties Chart

The two commonest types of medicinal and culinary savory are: winter savory (Satureja montana) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis).

PROPAGATION: By fresh seed (require light to germinate) and by cuttings. Annual and perennial varieties available.
NEEDS: Full sun and good garden soil.
HARVEST: Keep plant tops snipped throughout the growing season and use fresh or dried. For annual varieties, at the end of the season cut down the plant, hang to dry, then strip leaves and store.
FLOWERS: July onward, but do not allow summer varieties to flower unless the seed is desired for next year's crop.

USES

MEDICINAL:
Mild antiseptic and astringent. Source of potassium.
Has been used for occasional diarrhea, minor stomach upsets and mild sore throats.
Has been used with beans and cucumbers as an anti-flatulent.
Said to relieve bee and wasp stings. Rub fresh leaf on sting.
INFUSION = 2 to 4 Tbsp dried herb in 1 C. hot water; steep for 20 minutes. One cup per day taken for minor ailments.

CULINARY:
Popular seasoning, especially with beans as an anti-flatulent. Has a salty flavor. Used for herbal vinegar.

COSMETIC:
Stimulating in the herbal bath.

INSECT:
Repels bean beetles.

COMPANION:
Beans and onions.


VARIETIES of MEDICINAL [M] and CULINARY [C] SAVORY

No ImageSatureja Adamovica [C]- - -perennial
imageSatureja Thymbra (M)a.k.a Barrel Sweetenertender perennial
No ImageSatureja Viminea [C,M]a.k.a Jamaican Mint a.k.a Costa Rican Minttender perennial
See aboveSatureja hortensis [C,M]a.k.a Summer Savoryannual
See aboveSatureja montana [C, M]a.k.a Winter Savoryhardy perennial
No ImageS. mont. 'Nana' [C]a.k.a. Winter Dwarf Savoryperennial
No ImageS. mont. repens [C]a.k.a Dwarf Creeping Winter Savoryperennial
imageS. Douglasii [C, M]a.k.a Yerba Buenatender perennial



©2001 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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