Satureja montana/Winter Savory

pH 4.1–4.2

Aroma and Taste Smells medicinal and powerful, like a strong cough syrup or mouthwash. The taste, undiluted, is very potent, sharp, slightly hot, tingling, and analgesic in the mouth and distinctly “therapeutic.” Diluted, the warmth disappears, but the analgesic and medicinal flavor remain. Not delicious, but you can feel it working.

Stability and Shelf Life Quite stable. Should last two years without problems. I have had California savory, distilled in a copper still, that was quite salmon pink in color and much hotter on the tongue, and some distilled in stainless steel that also had a pinkish color but was more in the normal flavor and heat range. The European variety usually has little color. Shelf life of all the varieties is very good.

Properties and Applications Safer than the essential oil, which is not much used except internally in the world of medical aromatherapy, its value being its high phenol content and exceptional anti-infectious properties. Topically, savory oil is dermocaustic, causing burning sensations, redness, and skin irritations. Happily, the hydrosol will not cause any of these problems, although it is still on the hot side. Do a patch test to check for sensitivity before using on broken skin.

A very powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal, savory can be used undiluted or at high strength topically as a wash for skin infections, diluted in a douche or sitz bath for vaginal or urinary tract infections, and in combination with allopathic medicine for sexually transmitted diseases. Try it in combination with thyme CT linalol and rosemary CT verbenone or Inula hydrosols for candidiasis. Use it in colonics, where it will help kill infections and get rid of parasites without damaging the healthy intestinal flora. Combine it with yarrow or German chamomile for inflammatory bowel conditions that may be of an infectious nature. In a gargle or mouthwash it is effective against sore throat, tonsillitis, gum infections, abscesses, cankers, and bad breath. As a steam inhalation combine it with essential oils for infections of the respiratory tract and sinuses. If you use winter savory oil for an inhalation, use only one or two drops and keep your eyes closed throughout, as it can irritate the eyes, even in a steam. Along with oregano, the thymes, and the monardas, this water is the first choice for any serious infection in any part of the body. However, never put it into the eyes or ears.

Regular use boosts immune functions, particularly of weakened systems or those too sensitive to handle essential-oil treatments. Use fifteen milliliters in one liter of water for fragile systems. Use it diluted 50 percent with water as a body splash during flu season for protection from infection; it’s an amazing feeling. It enhances body functions without overstimulating. As a digestive aid, savory is a mild hepatostimulant, promotes secretion of bile, dispels colic and bloat, and rapidly eases the effects of overindulgence. It is experimental for the adrenal glands, particularly the adrenal cortex, which may partly explain its immune-boosting effects. Stimulating and energizing, it is useful for states of asthenia, along with cinnamon and oregano hydrolates, and may enhance libido.

A great morning drink. Good in cooking in small amounts, as flavor may be pervasive.