Wildcrafted Winter Savory pure essential oil - 5 ml

Satureja thymbra. Plantpart: Flowering tops. Collected: Sfakia, sealevel. Steam-distilled 

Babis and Janina, the producers, report on winter savory collection and distillation: "We collect Satureja in June when the plants are in full bloom from several populations growing in the southwestern part of Crete (Sfakia), along riverbeds and near to the sea. The new branches with leaves and flowers are clipped leaving the main body and a few new branches to regenerate, and distilled immediately. Collecting Satureja means to share the plants with the bees, which are collecting vigorously. Cretan plants have a high essential oil content, and the yield we achieve from a 3-hour distillation can be as high as 2.5%. The oil has a hot and burning scent. As always, we collect by hand, cutting just about half of the flowering tops off each plant, leaving enough for the bees".

Principle of action: anti bacterial, anti infectious and anti fungal, warming (stimulating circulation). The oil acts on hyper: hyperthermic, hypertension. Immunostimulant. 

Properties: invigorating, aphrodisiac, tonic for the reproductive system. Spicy pungent flavor..

Uses: The hot, sharp and pungent fragrance of this oil has a long reputation as an aphrodisiac, its nature is very sensual, warm, physically tempting, very earthly and instinctive. It seems to be helpful with sexual debility, especially in males.

The oil is very potent even at low doses, it can be added to a basic oil or any oil-blend for massage at 0.5-1%. Used once a while alone or in a blend of oils ( for example with a citrus oil) in the aroma lamp, it surrounds us with its fragrance that lead us back to physical strength and energy when we have lost our heads in the clouds. Satureja thymbra oil is an excellent additive in treatments of any kind of infectious or fungal skin diseases. We have seen great success with stubborn fungal infections (feet, under the nails, Pityriasis versicolor, hypo- or hyper-pigmented skin areas caused by the the fungus Malassezia furfur).

It is an excellent additive to remedies for treatments of any kind of bacterial or fungal diseases of the skin as hookworm, ringworm, eczema, psoriasis added up to 1% in a carrier oil containing other specific oils as well. To treat scabies for example, on can make a stronger solution, 5% in a carrier oil, and use drop wise on the affected areas.

As thyme, savory is a remarkable anti bacterial agent and stimulant of the immune system, but its action is more directed to the digestive and urinary system. Added to foods (a few drops in sauces, meat dishes etc.) it prevents flatulence and helps digestion, and in cabbage dishes it takes the particular smell. As an additive to pulses, like beans, savory is famous, and its German name ‘Bohnenkraut’ (bean herb) illustrates this traditional use. It prevents and counteracts flatulence. It also has an effect on the yeast Candida albicans,which can affect the digestive system, genitals as well as the skin and mucous membranes. 

One can add a few drops of the oil to foods, such as meats and seasonings, pasta sauces and pizza, salad dressings, because of its digestive, antispasmodic, carminative and general anti microbial, anti fungal activity, as well as its spicy flavor. It has often be used in preserved foods to prevent bacteria formation.

Pellecuer et al. carried out a study of the antimicrobial activities of a number of essential oils in 1975 and demonstrated the superiority of Savory (S. montana) over the other oils (various Lavandula spp, Rosemary and thyme (T. vulgaris) in respect to the microorganisms and fungi tested. Savory was active even at much lower concentrations than the other oils. Later also other authors confirmed that essential oils from Greek Satureja species showed remarkable bactericidal properties, clearly superior to those of several Origanum and Thymus species tested.

Savory oil can be taken 1 drop in a small glass of alcohol in acute digestive difficulties with flatulence, spasms and diarrhea caused by bacteria. Generally, savory is an oil to treat acute conditions, and should not be used over long periods of time, during pregnancy or with children. The oil serves well in low concentrations (1%) diluted in massage oils to warm muscles and is beneficial for arthritis and rheumatisms. It warms and eases the pain substantially. Avoid use on sensitive or damaged skin though.