Summer Savory: Benefits, Side effects and How to Make Savory Tea

    Savory is a plant which closes relative to thyme, lavender and sage (Lamiaceae plant family). Savory has a quite hot taste, like thyme, and a bit acrid, and have abundant of mineral and vitamins. This herb is a good source of iron, potassium, manganese, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Savory also contains lots of volatile-oil phenols like Carvacrol, Thymol, Cymene and Pinene.  These oils give savory exceptional antiseptic properties. For that reason, savory can protect you from intestinal and lung infections, as well as renal infections. 

    There are two main types of savory: summer savory and winter savory. But the summer savory has a sweeter flavor than winter savory and often used for cooking. Savory can be used as a seasoning for chicken, fish and meat. Fresh savory makes a great garnish for salads. It can be added to many different types of soups and sauces. Savory can maintain their flavor and aroma when dried. You can dry savory by cutting and keeping it in the cool, dry and drafty place for winter using. But remember that savory leaves harvested before the plants flower will have the best flavor. 

7 HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAVORY

    Savory was used widely to aid digestion and diarrhea in the past. Nowadays, it is used to treat mouth sores, cold stomach, parasites of the intestines and other common illness. In this post I would like to sketch 7 main health benefits of savory and how to use it as herbal tea.

1. Natural Antiseptic Herb

    The savory leaves contain volatile-oil phenols that make it an exceptional natural antiseptic. Savory oil contains 30 - 45 per cent carvacrol, 20 - 30 percent Thymol, and Cineol, Cymene and Pinene. Studies have shown that Carvacrol may have the potential to inhibit and fight certain bacterial such e.g. E. coli and Bacillus. Carvacrol oil is used as antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. Additionally, Thymol oil in savory holds antiseptic, anti fungal and antibacterial qualities.  This makes savory tea excellent for general health and assist in preventing infections in the body.

    Moreover, savory's volatile oils are useful in aiding respiratory health. In recent studies scientists have suggested using this oil to reduce sinus infections.

2. Rich sources of Vitamin, Mineral and Fiber

    The leaves of the savory plant are rich in mineral e.g. potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. This plant also contains many vital vitamins such as vitamin C, B-complex, and vitamin A. Savory also has a high source of fiber too. The fiber in savory leaf and shoot can help to lower the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol levels in the body. The rich sources of mineral, vitamins and fiber in savory can help and strengthen your total health.

3. Immune System Support

    The rich sources of vitamin in savory are able to ensuring good health and improving our immune system. Savory might help and protect your body against common illnesses and infections. Furthermore, the antiseptic qualities of savory offer protection against intestinal infections and parasites. Savory's  powerful antiseptic action can improve liver and kidney functions too. Savory can reduce a headache and helps to regulate the GABA levels in the brain to handle the stress.

4. Home remedies for cold and flu

    Savory can be used as a tea during the cold and flu season. This herbal tea can reduce the chance of catching a cold or flu. The soothing oils in savory can reduce the cold and flu, sooth sore scratchy throat and cough. You can also mix savory with chamomile, mint leaf and black currant to strengthen the fighting cold and flu power. Mixture between black currant and savory can help you to sooth convulsive cough.

5. Support Digestion

    Savory tea used to relieve digestive upset, flatulence, diarrhea, and support digestive tract. You can use savory as a tonic to help prevent and cure diarrhea. Since savory has a mild diuretic, it can treat conditions that affect the urinary track and even tuberculosis. Besides, drinking savory as a tea can help maintain a healthy liver, bladder and good internal health.

6. Natural anti inflammatory

        Savory can be used to treat abdominal pains, menstrual pains or abdominal cramps. You can infuse 200-250g of savory in3 hours for making herbal bath. Put the boiled savory in the bath water and take a regular bath for 15-20 minutes though.

Rheumatoid patients who suffer from high fevers can dab savory on the affected areas to cure the painful symptoms.

7. Nature remedies for stronger skin

    Savory alcohol can act a good disinfectant and can be used to treat skin infections and wounds. People with oily skin can use savory in facial steams and baths for stronger skin. You can infuse 20 gram of savory in 500ml of water for treating greasy complexions. Used the water in small amounts and applied to the skin for 15-20 minutes.

SIDE EFFECTS OF SAVORY

• Normally Savory is safe to everybody when eating or drinking it as tea or using it oil. Remember that summer savory can cause skin problems. Do not use concentrated and undiluted savory oil direct to your skin, it can cause irritating. Always use savory oil by diluting it with water.

• The Chinese traditional medicine advises not to exaggerate the consumption of savory. When using too much savory you can have fever or aggravate some cardiovascular afflictions.

• Do not use summer savory while pregnant or nursing. As there are not so many researches about the use it summer savory during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

• Ask your doctor before using savory tea if you are in therapy or prescribed to any medications.

HOW TO MAKE SAVORY TEA?

    Tea brewed with savory can be used to treat internal health problems. It can treat urine retention, gastric disorders, cough, headache, colic and uterine contraction. Savory is quite hot and not good for using too much. I usually have only one cup of savory tea in morning for a day to boost up the body. If you drink it in day times, remember to drink savory tea before primary meal.

•  2 fresh savory sprigs or half teaspoon of dried savory.

•  Put savory in a cup and pour boiling water.

•  Wait for 8-10 minutes before using it.

•  Add honey or sugar to sweeten the drink. I prefer no sugar savory tea as sugar is not good to your health and skin.

MORE SAVORY'S RECIPES

    I also mix savory with mint leaf and Chamomile. All I have to do is putting all ingredients into a cup. Pour boiling water and wait for 8 minutes before serving. Brewing time of savory, mint leaves and chamomile all are 6-8 minutes.

• Savory and mint leaf tea: mix 2 fresh savory sprigs (half teaspoon of dried savory) with half teaspoon of dried mint leaves. You can use savory and mint leaves drink to reduce the cough and cold. I have to say this drink does not look yummy but it is very tasty with strong flavor of savory and mint leaves. Besides, it might give you stronger skin with rich sources of menthol from mint leaves. Mint leaf can clear acne and healing your skin too.
• Savory and chamomile tea: You can brew savory leaf with chamomile tea as natural sleep remedies. This drink can give you a deep sleeping. But you should drink this herbal tea in the evening or before going to bed. As chamomile can make you feel sleepy. It's not wise to use this drink when driving or using any kind of machine. Besides, chamomile can interact with some medicine and have some side effect. You can check details about chamomile in Chamomile: Health benefits and Side Effect.  

    If you are looking for a small boost of vitamins and minerals in your diet, just have a cup of savory tea. The savory herb can promote your healthy living and supply you a lot of health benefits. And remember it's safe only when you take it in reasonable proportions. Let me know your idea about this herbal plant. What’s your favorite ways of making savory tea? 

References: 

http://www.drugs.com/npp/savory.html

http://www.webmd.com/Summer Savory

http://www.liveandfeel.com/articles/benefits-of-savory-plant-1756

http://www.sunlandherbs.com/about/savory/