Sarriette

Related Terms

Ajedra, ?-pinene, ?-terpineol, apigenin, beta-bisabolene, ?-caryophyllene, ?-cubebene, beta-sitosterol, beta-d-glucopyranoside, borneol, camphor, carvacrol, caryophyllene, catechin, chlorogenic acid, cineole, dipentene, desmethoxynobiletin, dimethoxyflavone, erigeroside, eriodictyol, eugenol, fatty acid methyl esters, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, flavonoids, geraniol, geranyl acetate, Lamiaceae (family), limonene, linalool, linalool esters, luteolin, magnoliophyta, marzeh khuzistani (Persian), monoterpene hydrocarbons, mountain savory, naringenin, neral, octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester, oleanolic acid, p-cymene, phenolic monoterpenes, phenols, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, rosmarinic acid, sater, Satureja atropatana, Satureja boissieri, Saturejaboliviana, Saturejabrownei, Satureja coerulea, Saturejacuneifolia, Satureja douglasii, Satureja forbesii, Satureja gilliesii, Saturejahortensis, Satureja icarica, Saturejakhuzestanica, Satureja kitaibelii, Satureja laxiflora, Saturejamontana, Satureja obovata, Saturejaparnassica, Satureja parvifolia, Satureja pilosa, Satureja spicigera, Satureja spinosa, Satureja subspicata, Saturejathymbra, Satureja viminea, Satureja visianii, Satureja wiedemanniana, Saturejae folium, Saturejae herba, steroids, spathulenol, summer savory, tannin, tau-cadinene, tau-cadinol, terpene alcohols, terpinene, terpineol, tetrahydroxyflavanone, tetramethoxyflavone, thymbra, thymol, thymol methyl ether, thymonin, thymoquinone, tocopherols, trimethoxyflavone, ursolic acid, vanillic acid, winter savory.

Background

Savory is an aromatic plant used in cooking to enhance flavor. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis) and winter savory (Satureja montana) are the two types most commonly used. A commonly studied constituent is carvacrol.
Savory is native to the Mediterranean region but has been used across Europe, North America, and South America as a seasoning for meats and salads.
In traditional medicine, savory is used to treat diarrhea, nausea, cramps, muscle pain, indigestion, and infectious diseases. Limited evidence suggests that savory may help lower cholesterol in diabetics.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Savory (Satureja khuzestanica) capsules, used together with standard drugs, significantly improved the amount of cholesterol and fat in the blood of people with diabetes and high cholesterol. Additional study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Savory (Satureja khuzestanica) capsules, used together with standard drugs, significantly improved the amount of cholesterol and fat in the blood of people with diabetes and high cholesterol. Additional study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Savory has been taken in tea, cold infusion, or tablet form.
For high cholesterol, tablets containing 250 milligrams of dried savory leaves have been taken once daily for 60 days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Savory may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Savory may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Savory may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Savory may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Savory may also interact with antibiotics, anticancer drugs, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antiparasitic agents, antiviral agents, cholesterol-lowering agents, cyclophosphamide, drugs that affect the nervous system, drugs that that may damage the liver, fertility agents, gastrointestinal agents, laxatives, muscle relaxants, painkillers, and prednisolone.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Carrami?ana JJ, Rota C, Burillo J, et al. Antibacterial efficiency of Spanish Satureja montana essential oil against Listeria monocytogenes among natural flora in minced pork. J Food Prot 2008;71(3):502-8.
Cetojevic-Simin DD, Bogdanovic GM, Cvetkovic DD, et al. Antiproliferative and antimicrobial activity of traditional Kombucha and Satureja montana L. Kombucha. J BUON 2008;13(3):395-401.
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.
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Vosough-Ghanbari S, Rahimi R, Kharabaf S, et al. Effects of Satureja khuzestanica on Serum Glucose, Lipids and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Feb 27.
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