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 | Savory (Winter) Other Names:
Botanical Name: Satureia montana
Family: N.O. Labiatae |
Description: |
Winter Savory is a dwarf, hardy, perennial, glabrous or slightly pubescent under shrub, also a native of Southern Europe, and it has been known in Great Britain since 1562.
The stems are woody at the base, diffuse, much branched. The leaves are oblong, linear and acute, or the lower ones spatulate or wedge-shaped and obtuse. The flowers, in bloom in June, are very pale-purple, the cymes shortly pedunculate, approximating to a spike or raceme. |
Cultivation: |
It is propagated either from seeds, sown at a similar period and in the same manner as Summer Savory, or from cuttings and divisions of root. It is woodier and more bushy than Summer Savory.
Cuttings formed of young side shoots, with a heel attached, may be taken in April or June, and will readily root under a hand-glass, or in a shady border outside.
Divisions of the roots should be made in March or April, and plants obtained in this way, or from cuttings, should be permanently inserted during a showery period in the latter part of summer, in rows, at the distance of 1 foot apart.
The plant grows better in a poor, stony soil than a rich one. In a rich soil, plants take in too much moisture to stand the severity of our winter. In soil that suits it, Winter Savory makes a good-sized shrub. It will continue for several years, but when the plants are old the shoots are short and not so well furnished with leaves. It is, therefore, well to raise a supply of young plants every other year.
Parkinson tells us that Winter Savory used to be dried and powdered and mixed with grated bread-crumbs, 'to breade their meate, be it fish or flesh, to give it a quicker relish.' It is recommended by old writers, together with other herbs, in the dressing of trout.
When dried, it is used as seasoning in the same manner as Summer Savory, but is not employed medicinally.
Culpepper says that it is a good remedy for the colic. > |
Ancient Lore: |
SAVORY (Winter)
SATUREIA MONTANA
A good remedy for the colic and iliac passion.
This is a more woody, shrubby plant than Summer Savory, with leaves like Hyssop. The flowers are a pale pink or purple.
Where to find it: A cultivated herb, but sometimes found growing on old walls.Flowering time: Midsummer to mid autumn.
Astrology: Under Mercury.
Medicinal virtues: Like Summer Savory it is carminative, and will expel wind from the stomach and bowels. It is also good for asthma and other affections of the chest. It opens obstructions of the womb and promotes menstrual evacuations.
Modern uses: Like Summer Savory it is mainly used as a culinary herb, particularly with beans. It is an intestinal antiseptic and has also been attributed with aphrodisiac qualities. An infusion is used to treat stomach pains and dyspepsia. It has similar properties to Summer Savory. |
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