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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. A peppery flavour, they are used mainly as a flavouring for cooked foods, especially beans, and also as a garnish for salads etc[8]. They have a stronger, sharper flavour than summer savory (S. hortensis)[8]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried[8]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[8]. The leaves are harvested just before the plant comes into flower[8]. A tangy, marjoram-like flavour[8].

Unknown part

Leaves

Material uses

The growing plant repels insects[9][4][10].

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves.

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[11].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Winter savory is most often used as a culinary herb, but it also has marked medicinal benefits, especially upon the whole digestive system[12]. The plant has a stronger action than the closely related summer savory, S. hortensis[12].

The whole herb, and especially the flowering shoots, is mildly antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, mildly expectorant and stomachic[2][13][3][14][15]. Taken internally, it is said to be a sovereign remedy for colic and a cure for flatulence[2], whilst it is also used to treat gastro-enteritis, cystitis, nausea, diarrhoea, bronchial congestion, sore throat and menstrual disorders[3][16]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[16]. A sprig of the plant, rubbed onto bee or wasp stings, brings instant relief[4, K]. The plant is harvested in the summer when in flower and can be used fresh or dried[16]. The essential oil forms an ingredient in lotions for the scalp in cases of incipient baldness[13].

An ointment made from the plant is used externally to relieve arthritic joints[13].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in April in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination can be slow and erratic[17] but usually takes place within a month[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. It is usually possible to plant out into their permanent positions during the summer, but if the plants have not grown sufficiently, or if you live in an area of cold winters, it might be best to grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year[K].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a frame, planting out in late spring or early summer of the following year. A high percentage usually succeed[18]. Cuttings of young wood, preferably with a heel, April/May in a frame[17][6]. Plant out in the summer if the plants grow well, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year[K].

Division in early spring as growth commences[18][19]. This works best if soil has been mounded up into the bottom 20cm of the plant early in the previous summer[18]. Pot up the divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established. Plant them out in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Satureja montana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant when given suitable conditions, it prefers a well-drained poor stony soil[2][14][20][7] and succeeds in a hot dry sunny position[19]. It prefers an alkaline soil[19] though it is not too fussy. It is very intolerant of soils that remain damp, especially in the winter, and dislikes shade[19]. Plants are less hardy when they are grown in rich soils and also in wet conditions[4, K].

Winter savory is often grown in the garden as a culinary herb, there are some named varieties[8]. The flavour is said to be more coarse than that of the annual savory (S. hortensis). The plants live for several years, but as they grow older they do not make so much new growth and so are best replaced every two years[2]. A good bee plant[19]. The leaves have an aromatic fragrance[21]. A good companion plant to grow in the garden, it does especially well with onions and beans and helps to repel insect pests[10]. The plant is said to inhibit the germination of certain seeds[9]. Winter savory seeds can prevent the germination of nearby seeds[10].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[22].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Satureja montana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Satureja montana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Satureja montana
Genus
Satureja
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press (1975-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn (1980-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.2 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.119.219.319.419.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  20. ? Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
  21. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  22. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
  23. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11
  24. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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