PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS SUMMER SAVORY / 739

Production: Sumbul or Musk root is the root of Ferula

moschata (Reinsch, Kozo) or Ferula sumbul.

Other Names: Ferula, Musk Root

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (0.3-0.5%)

Resins (17%)

Bitter substances

Hydroxycoumarins: including among others, umbelliferone

Short-chained acids: butyric acid, angelic acid, methylcro-

tonic acid, and valeric acid

EFFECTS

The active agents include essential oil, resin, angelic acid,

umbelliferon.

The effects are unclear; and sedative effect has not been

proven

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Indian Medicine: Sumbul root is used for states of debility,

asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, dysmenorrhea, diarrhea,

hypertension and excessive excitability

Homeopathic Uses: Ferula sumbul is used to treat nervous

cardiac symptoms.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Sumbul is used as liquid extract or

tincture.

LITERATURE

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Summer Savory
Satureja hortensis
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the fresh or dried
plant harvested during the flowering stage.

Flower and Fruit: The lilac or whitish labiate flowers are in
axillary, 5-blossomed, false whorls. The calyx is tubular-

campanulate, regular, and has 5 tips. The corolla does not

have a ring of hair. The upper lip is straight and margined.

The lower lip has 3 divisions and is red-spotted at the mouth

of the tube.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The herb grows 30 to 45 cm in

height with erect, heavily branched, and shortly pubescent

stems. The leaves are crossed opposite, up to 3 cm long,

short-petioled, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate and entire-

margined. They are rather thick with a ciliate margin and are

glandular punctate on both surfaces.

Characteristics: Summer Savory has a spicy scent and a

taste that is spicy and peppery. - :_

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to southern Europe and

northern Africa, and is extensively cultivated elsewhere.

Production: Summer Savory is the aerial pan of Satureja

hortensis.

Other Names: Bean Herb, Savory

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

. COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (0.2-3.0%): chief components carvacrol (30%),
p-cymene (20-30%), alpha-thujene, alpha-pinene, beta-myr-
cene, alpha- and beta-terpinene, beta-caryophyllene, thymol

Caffeic acid derivatives: rosmarinic acid (0.2 to 1.3%),

chlorogenic acid

EFFECTS

The tannin content of the drug provides astringent qualities.

Summer Savory also has a mild antiseptic effect due to the

presence of cymol and carvacrol in the essential oil. An

aqueous extract of the herb has antiviral properties.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Savory is used for acute gastrointestinal

enteritis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is used internally as an

infusion that is prepared from ground plant.

Daily Dosage: Three teaspoonfiils of the drug can be taken

daily in the form of a hot tea. To prepare the tea, do not boil

but leave the drug to steep in scalding hot water.

LITERATURE

Herisset A et al., (1974) Plant Med Phytother 8(4):306, 287.