Summer savory is an aromatic culinary herb that can be used fresh or dried. However, in some parts of the planet, it is more commonly used as a medicinal herb rather than for cooking. This article will get you acquainted with summer savory, in particular the many health benefits it is known to offer.
It is believed that summer savory is native to countries surrounding the Black Sea. These days, however, the said culinary and medicinal herb is widely grown in the likes of France, Canada and USA.
This aromatic herb comes in so many different names, depending on where it is grown. For instance, it is referred to as ajedrea de jardin in Spain, and people in China call it hsiang po ho.
Related to mint, summer savory is said to resemble the flavor of marjoram and sage. It goes well with a variety of dishes that contain tomatoes or has tomato sauce. Summer savory is perfect, too, for an assortment of soups, most especially those that contain beans and peas. It’s also known to be perfect for salads and meat dishes.
When it comes to employing summer savory as a medicinal herb, the various aerial parts are commonly used, the flowering tops most especially. The most popular way of using them, however, is by having them dried and then steeped in hot water — the resulting tea has a fresh spicy aroma and a kind of peppery taste to it.
So now let’s check out some of the known health benefits of summer savory:
Improved Digestion
The intake of summer savory is known to optimize the amount of digestive juices and enzymes in the stomach, thus boosting the process of digestion. Needless to say, the herb helps prevent or get rid of indigestion. Many people also take summer savory for relieving excess gas and bloating.
Relieved Diarrhea
Summer savory is commonly recommended by traditional healers for people who are having a bout of diarrhea. It’s known to be effective, too, in alleviating abdominal cramping which is a common diarrhea symptom.
Alleviated Dry Cough
Many people swear that summer savory is very good at making cough more productive — it is capable of dealing with dry cough by allowing mucus and phlegm to be expelled.
Calmed Body and Mind
Traditional healers often use summer savory for the management of anxiety, which helps in calming the mind as well as reducing the many physical symptoms of anxiety such as heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Since it has mild sedating properties, summer savory may be employed for combating insomnia.
Detoxified Blood
Summer savory is admired for its ability to neutralize poisonous substances and waste products in the blood. It’s exactly for this reason why it is known to support the liver and also deal with issues concerning the said organ.
Eased Increased Thirst
One of the many different symptoms of diabetes is increased thirst, which can be quenched by constant water intake. But traditional healers usually recommend summer savory for diabetics who are bugged by feeling thirsty all the time. However, it’s a good idea to keep a cup of summer savory tea free of sugar.
CAUTION: Before you start using summer savory for therapeutic or medicinal purposes, make sure that you inform your health care provider about it first. This is true most especially if you are diagnosed with a medical condition and/or currently taking medications for it. Do the same if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Kindly have this article reposted on your different social media sites to get your family members and friends familiarized with summer savory and the many amazing health benefits it can bring!
