Winter or Mountain savory (Satureja Montana) is in the mint family of botanical plants. The oil comes from steam distilling the whole flowering plant. Savory is a bushy perennial sub-shrub that grows up to 16 inches high with woody stems at the base, linear leaves and pale purple flowers. Traditionally savory has been used as a culinary herb since antiquity especially in flavoring meats. It has a sharp, medicinal, herbaceous fragrance. Savory was used as a digestive remedy especially good for colic and in Germany it was used particularly for diarrhea. Only occasionally has it been used in perfumery work.
How Can We Benefit from Savory Essential Oil Today?
When compared with many varieties of thyme, rosemary and lavender, recent research has shown the anti-microbial properties of savory to be greater. It has strong antibacterial, antif-ungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties and it is immune stimulating and anti-inflammatory. It is used for Herpes, HIV, scoliosis, lumbago and back problems. It is a powerful energizer and motivator. Winter savory can be diluted one part essential oil to four parts carrier oil and applied on location, on the chakras / Vita flex points. It can be diffused or taken internally. It blends well with lavandin, lavender, oakmoss, pine, rosemary and all citrus oils. As for safety, winter savory may cause dermal toxicity, irritation and mucous membrane irritation. British model of aromatherapy sees little benefit in using this oil at all.
Want to know more about essential oils and how they can help us stay healthy? Consider becoming a certified clinical aromatherapist. The Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy teaches classes throughout the United States on aromatherapy and energy healing.