Summer Savory
OTHER NAME(S): Ajedrea de Jardín, Bean Herb, Bohnenkraut, Herbe de Saint Julien, Poivrette, Sarriette Commune, Sarriette d'Été, Sarriette des Jardins, Savory, Satureja hortensis, Calamintha hortensis, Ajedrea de jardín, Sarriette
Overview
Summer savory is a plant. The leaves and stem are used to make medicine.
People take summer savory for cough, stomach pain, gas (flatulence), diarrhea, loss of appetite, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, summer savory is used as a culinary spice. The oil is used as a flavoring agent.
The chemicals in summer savory are thought to decrease muscle spasms and kill bacteria and fungus.
The chemicals in summer savory are thought to decrease muscle spasms and kill bacteria and fungus.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Cough.
- Diarrhea.
- Gas (flatulence).
- Increasing sex drive in healthy people.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Insect bites.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Sore throat (pharyngitis).
- Stomach pain.
- Thirst in people with diabetes.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of summer savory for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Summer savory is LIKELY SAFE in food amounts. It's POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken in usual medicinal amounts.
When applied to the skin: Summer savory is POSSIBLY SAFE when the diluted oil is applied to the skin. The concentrated, undiluted oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It is very irritating and should not be used.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Summer savory is LIKELY SAFE in food amounts. It's POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken in usual medicinal amounts.
When applied to the skin: Summer savory is POSSIBLY SAFE when the diluted oil is applied to the skin. The concentrated, undiluted oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It is very irritating and should not be used.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if summer savory is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Surgery: Summer savory might slow blood clotting. There is concern that summer savory might increase the risk for bleeding during and after surgical procedures. Stop using summer savory at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Summer SavorySummer savory might slow blood clotting. Taking summer savory along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of summer savory depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for summer savory. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1993.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Yazdanparast, R. and Shahriyary, L. Comparative effects of Artemisia dracunculus, Satureja hortensis and Origanum majorana on inhibition of blood platelet adhesion, aggregation and secretion. Vascul.Pharmacol 2008;48(1):32-37.
- Gursoy UK, Gursoy M, Gursoy OV, et al. Anti-biofilm properties of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil against periodontal pathogens. Anaerobe. 2009;15(4):164-7.
- Fierascu I, Dinu-Pirvu CE, Fierascu RC, et al. Phytochemical profile and biological activities of Satureja hortensis L.: A review of the last decade. Molecules. 2018;23(10). pii: E2458.
- Popovici RA, Vaduva D, Pinzaru I, et al. A comparative study on the biological activity of essential oil and total hydro-alcoholic extract of Satureja hortensis L. Exp Ther Med. 2019 Aug;18(2):932-942.
- Sánchez-Quintero MJ, Delgado J, Medina-Vera D, et al. Beneficial Effects of Essential Oils from the Mediterranean Diet on Gut Microbiota and Their Metabolites in Ischemic Heart Disease and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus. Nutrients 2022;14(21):4650.
- Seyedtaghiya MH, Fasaei BN, Peighambari SM. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of Satureja hortensis essential oil against Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from poultry. Iran J Microbiol 2021;13(1):74-80.
- Felšöciová S, Vukovic N, Jezowski P, Kačániová M. Antifungal activity of selected volatile essential oils against Penicillium sp. Open Life Sci 2020;15(1):511-521.
- Guo Y, Pizzol R, Gabbanini S, Baschieri A, Amorati R, Valgimigli L. Absolute Antioxidant Activity of Five Phenol-Rich Essential Oils. Molecules 2021;26(17):5237.