Savory Winter
Satureia
hortensis from the
family Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
The whole dried herb is
used to produce the essential
oil. There are two main
species, the winter or garden
savory (Montana), and the
summer or mountain savory
(hortensis).
The chemical
composition and odour of the
two savory oils are very
similar, summer savory being
somewhat harsher than
winter.
A typical chemical
composition of winter savory
oil is reported as follows:
carvacrol (60-75%), thymol 1
(1.o-5.0%), p-cymene (10-
20%), y-terpineol (2-10%),
1,8-cineole (3.8%), borneol
(12.5%), a-terpineol (2.5%)
Winter savory is a dermal
irritant and mucous
membrane irritant. Should
only be used with great care
and not at all in
pregnancy.
Traditionally the herb was
used as a tea for digestive
complaints, menstrual
problems and respiratory
conditions such as asthma,
catarrh and sore throat.
Applied externally the fresh
leaves bring instant relief
from insect bites, bee and
wasp stings. |
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