Greeks were among the first to discover the therapeutic properties, believed aphrodisiac and used to use them in the celebrations dedicated to Dionysus. Precisely for this reason, in the Middle Ages the church forbade the cultivation; later were several doctors who advised her against intestinal disorders, mouth ulcers, paralysis and dysentery.
salsa called the poor around 1400, later acquired prestige becoming part of Provencal herbs, Georgian-Spice and many other mixtures of herbs. Initially it was used mainly for infusions or as a flavoring in wine and vinegar, then it became known in the kitchen and was given the name of anchovy and pepper herb (the Romans have sex herb of the satyr).
Savory: general characteristics and trivia
The summer savory L. domestic or savory, is part of the Lamiaceae family and is also known as "anchovies grass", "pepper pot", "waxy grass" or "summer savory."
It is a herbaceous plant that grows wild in the Mediterranean, is annual, it can reach 30 cm and has lance-shaped leaves, the flowers are those pinkish white and bloom in late spring to early autumn. It is sown in this period and in winter goes planting, the seeds should be placed in depth and germinate after about two weeks; They should be placed at 15 cm from each other and should be thinned from excess foliage when they become too dense, needs a lot of sunshine and dry soil, attracts the butterflies. Another name by which it is known this plant is grass of the beans because it often grows close to the plants of these pulses and is used to season them because it prevents formation of intestinal gas.
The leaves are harvested before flowering and are dried, the aroma is wild yet delicate and the taste is strong and pungent.
There is another species of this plant: winter savory is a perennial, creeping with a shiny green leaves and white flowers, grows even in the worst weather conditions.
Savory: properties and health benefits
Therefore, savory, well known in the past both in the kitchen as a medicinal plant, in our days is still perhaps used in the preparation of the dishes but it is a bit 'lost the use of this plant as a natural remedy for various afflictions.
We brush up on properties of savory:
- digestive, suitable for those with dyspepsia problems and therefore digests slowly and with difficulty;
- carminative, very useful against the swollen belly because it helps to expel the gases that accumulate in the stomach and intestines;
- cardiotonic, ie helps against cardiac fatigue;
- stimulating, in fact is famous for being an aphrodisiac;
- antiseptic, suitable for combating diseases of the oral cavity;
- expectorant, indicated in case of cough and phlegm from the bronchial tubes obstructed;
- antispasmodic, useful against painful spasms of the abdomen;
- antiviral and antibacterial, recommended in case of seasonal ills such as colds and flu (using the essential oil in general);
- purifying, in particular ally of the kidneys;
- anti-inflammatory, useful against inflammation of the respiratory and urinary tract;
- anticolesterol, it helps to regulate cholesterol levels in the blood;
- vermifuge;
- antioxidant, protects the body from free radical damage;
- antidiarrheal;
- fatigue.
It is used often also against insect bites to relieve the discomfort.
All these properties of the savory can be attributed to the active substances it contains:
- Essential oils (eugenol, carvacrol, thymol);
- mineral salts (calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium and selenium);
- terpenes (borneol, nerol, geraniol);
- limonene, cymene, camphene and myrcene;
- vitamins (C, B1, B2, B3, B6 and A).
Savory: all uses
The savory is used in cooking and in the preparation of natural remedies. It can be used raw against:
- fatigue;
- digestive problems;
- bronchitis.
You can add it to a foot bath or a relaxing hot bath, in leaves, flowers and infused for:
- tone;
- eliminate swelling and stress;
- purify the skin;
- relieve muscle pain and spasms.
Recipe invigorating infusion (for baths and foot baths):
- 20 grams of savory;
- 20 grams of rosemary;
- 20 g of sage;
- 20 of verbena.
Let boil for about ten minutes in a liter of water, let cool slightly and add to the bath. This same infusion used with the shampoo helps to strengthen the hair.
The infusion of sage and savory instead is recommended as a tonic for the face to keep it young and fight the impurities.
Recipe to savory herbal tea:
- two teaspoons of chopped dry leaves;
- 250 ml of hot water.
Leave to infuse 5 minutes, covered, strain and drink before meals. And 'useful against:
- slow digestion;
- flatulence;
- bloating;
- dysentery;
- gastritis nervous;
- asthma.
Cold is very good as a tonic for purifying acne skin but also for rinses against oral diseases.
Abdomen wraps are recommended for spasticity.
With savory you can also prepare liquor, cough syrups, and of course the essential oil can be used fresh and chopped to flavor various dishes.
Legend has it that if you join in a piece of cloth of summer savory, marjoram and lavender will meet true love.
Savory: contraindications and side effects
There were no particular contraindications in any tell your doctor before taking natural remedies made from savory.
Do not take in case of one or more components sensitivity.
Do not use pure essential oil on the mucous membranes.
