Savory Essential Oil

Savory Essential Oil (Satureja montana), also known as Winter Savory, is a potent and lesser-known oil that has been cherished by many throughout history. Used by the Greeks and Romans for its medicinal benefits, this aromatic herb flourishes in the rocky, sun-drenched terrains of southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Its dark green leaves and delicate lavender to white blooms yield an essential oil that’s as resilient as the plant itself — concentrated, therapeutic, and brimming with vitality.

With a bold, peppery, and herbaceous scent, Savory Essential Oil invigorates the senses and awakens the spirit.* Known for its ability to strengthen and support the body’s natural defenses, it’s often turned to during seasonal changes or times of fatigue.* Whether used in a diffuser to clear the air and uplift your mood or blended into topical applications (always diluted) for immune support or muscle relief, this oil packs a powerful punch in just a few drops.*

DIY enthusiasts and wellness seekers alike value Savory for its versatility. Add it to homemade cleaners for a purifying boost, or pair it with oils like Lavender and Pine to create a grounding, nature-inspired blend.* Whichever way you use it, let this strong yet beautiful oil serve as a reminder of the strength and purity of botanicals. Just one drop offers a connection to centuries of natural healing — and to the invigorating energy of the mountains it comes from.*

About the Plant:

Winter Savory (Satureja montana) is a hardy, semi-evergreen perennial herb known for its pungent, glossy dark green leaves and small summer blooms that range from pale lavender to white. Smaller in flower than its cousin, Summer Savory, this low-growing, woody-stemmed plant reaches about 6–15 inches tall and thrives in well-drained soil with full sun.

Perfect for herb gardens and borders, Winter Savory complements a variety of herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil. It pairs beautifully with meats, poultry, fish, herb cheeses, and bean dishes, though its robust flavor is best added near the end of cooking rather than for long stews. Despite being less known than Summer Savory, it has been cultivated and used for centuries as a flavorful, aromatic, and healing plant.

Traditionally harvested during its flowering season, Winter Savory can be used fresh or dried and is prized for its strong, spicy flavor. Its tender new growth and supple sprigs are ideal for culinary use, while older woody branches should be trimmed back regularly to promote lush, flavorful shoots. In addition to its culinary value, the entire flowering plant is steam-distilled to produce a highly concentrated essential oil, rich in compounds like carvacrol and revered for its energizing and purifying qualities.

Where It Grows:

Winter Savory (Satureja montana) is native to the warm, temperate regions of southern Europe, the Mediterranean, southwestern Asia, and parts of Africa. It naturally thrives in dry scrublands, rocky hillsides, and mountainous slopes, often making its home in the cracks of old walls or along dry banks. The plant prefers calcareous or alkaline soils, which provide the perfect mineral-rich foundation for its hardy growth. It has also become naturalized in areas like Great Britain, adapting well to similar temperate conditions.

This resilient herb grows best in full sun and well-drained soils with low to moderate fertility. It favors rocky, sandy, or even gravelly ground, and can tolerate dry to medium moisture levels — making it ideal for challenging landscapes where other herbs may struggle. Its adaptability and toughness reflect its natural habitat, where it flourishes in sun-soaked, mineral-rich environments with minimal water and care.

Traditional Uses and Lore:

Winter Savory has been valued since ancient times, with records of its use by the Greeks and Romans over 2,000 years ago. Traditionally used for its carminative, expectorant, antiseptic, and digestive properties, it was taken to relieve flatulence, colic, bronchial congestion, sore throat, and gastrointestinal discomfort.* A poultice made from the leaves was applied to insect bites and stings, while the therapeutic-grade essential oil has been noted for inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans.* The oil is also used in scalp lotions for early-stage baldness and in ointments to soothe arthritic joints.*

In folklore, Winter Savory was considered the cooling counterpart to Summer Savory — believed to reduce sexual desire, whereas Summer Savory was seen as an aphrodisiac.* French herbalist Maurice Messegue famously referred to savory as “the herb of happiness.” The herb’s strong, spicy flavor made it a culinary staple, particularly for beans, poultry, and stuffing. Though potent when fresh, it loses flavor with prolonged cooking and is best added at the end. Named “montana” for its mountain origins, Winter Savory continues to be treasured for both its therapeutic and culinary versatility.

 Other Facts:

• • • Scent: Fresh, Medicinal, and Reminiscent of Sage and Thyme Aroma
    • Fragrance Note: Middle Note
    • Composition: Carvacrol, Thymol, p-Cymene, γ-Terpineol, 1.8 Cineol, Borneol, and α-Terpineol
    • Family: Lamiaceae Family

Dr. Streicher Says:

Winter Savory, also known as Satureja montana, might not be as familiar as its summer counterpart, but its essence is a treasure.* Derived from a perennial herb with deep green leaves and delicate blooms in shades of lavender to pink, Winter Savory thrives in warm, rocky landscapes of southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa. Its roots cling to dry, rugged terrain like old stone walls and mountain slopes, favoring soils rich in calcium or alkaline minerals.

Valued since ancient times for its healing properties, Savory Essential Oil tackles digestive discomforts such as nausea and indigestion, providing a natural remedy for soothing relief.* Moreover, its warm and invigorating qualities extend to easing the challenges of arthritis, aiding in circulation and reducing inflammation to support greater ease of movement and comfort.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.