Satureja is a genus of aromatic plants of the familyLamiaceae, related to rosemary and thyme. It is native to southern and southeastern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Historically, Satureja was defined broadly and many species of the subtribe Menthinae from throughout the world were included in it. In the modern cladistic era of botany, Satureja was redefined to a narrower monophyletic genus whose species are all native to Eurasia.[2][3] Several species are cultivated as culinary herbs called savory, and they have become established in the wild in a few places.[1][4]
Both summer savory (Satureja hortensis) and winter savory (Satureja montana) are used to flavor food. The former is preferred by cooks but as an annual is only available in summer; winter savory is an evergreen perennial.
A recent study found the essential oils of Satureja edmondii have antimicrobial properties and can protect food from S. aureus.[5] The test was conducted on commercial soup products.[5]
Satureja hortensisL. – summer savory – Italy, Bulgaria, Albania, Yugoslavia, Crimea, Caucasus, Altai Republic, Kazakhstan, Xinjiang, western Himalayas; naturalized in western Mediterranean, Persian Gulf sheikdoms, Cuba, Dominican Republic, scattered locations in United States
The heterogeneous mixture of the Satureja hortensis L. essential oil in water serves as a natural herbicide. The addition of this mixture inhibits the root elongation of weeds which reduces the weed's root-to-shoot ratio. This further reduces the weed's cell division and inhibits its germination, growth, and physiological processes.[6]
Essential oils of Satureja khuzistanica have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which can be useful in medical treatments.[7] A recent study found that higher concentrations of essential oils of Satureja khuzistanica helped reduce adverse effects of traumatic brain injuries in rats.[7]
The etymology of the Latin word "satureia" is unclear. Speculation that it is related to saturare,[8] to satyr,[8] or to za'atar[9] is not well supported. The ancient Hebrew name is Tzatrah צתרה.
↑ Hazrati, Hossein; Saharkhiz, Mohammad Jamal; Niakousari, Mehrdad; Moein, Mahmoodreza (August 2017). "Natural herbicide activity of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil nanoemulsion on the seed germination and morphophysiological features of two important weed species". Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 142: 423–430. Bibcode:2017EcoES.142..423H. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.04.041. ISSN1090-2414. PMID28456128.
1 2 F. E. J. Valpy, An Etymological Dictionary of the Latin Language, 1828, p. 542.
↑ DeBaggio, Thomas; Tucker, Arthur O. (2009). The encyclopedia of herbs: a comprehensive reference to herbs of flavor and fragrance (2nded.). Timber Press. ISBN978-0881929942.
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