HERB OF THE MONTH/RECIPES/REMEDIES, COSMETIC USES & OTHER INFO
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Mercury claims dominion over savory.  Keep it dry by you all the year, if you love yourself and your ease.

       We're glad you could join us for a tour of the Herbal Gardens and hope you will find much useful information here.  Although we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of the various suggested uses, you may learn some interesting tid-bits.  In the case of the remedies, we don't intend to mention anything detrimental, but we hope you will use discretion and discuss it with your health care provider.  (This advice comes from Flo, a.k.a. Nurse Ratchet, one of our chatelaines!) 
     As new recipes are posted, the previous ones will be archived in the Herbal Gardens' Cookbook.  If you have any interesting herbal information you would like to share, contact one of the gardeners.

Herb of the Month 

*SUMMER SAVORY*

Introduction
     Summer savory is the ideal name for an herb with lively, pungent flavor.  Therefore it comes as a surprise that, in this age where flavor in foods is so important, we have neglected using this herb that once was synonymous with tasty food.
     The pungent taste of summer savory, somewhere between pepper and thyme, is an ideal addition to any dish containing beans.  It is also indispensable in sausages, stuffing  mixes, and many herb mixes, such as herbes de provence.  So even though you may not have a jar of summer savory in your spice rack, it is almost certain you have something containing this herb in your kitchen.
BotanicalDescription
     Summer savory (satureja montana) is an annual herb originating somewhere in Asia.  It belongs to the mint family.  Summer savory grows about 18 inches high in a somewhat open formation with erect stems, sparse bronze leaves and small lilac flowers. Summer savory is used as a companion plant for beans because is helps deter bean beetles.

ABriefHistory
     Summer savory goes back to the time of the Romans.  The genus satureja was named by the Roman writer Pliny.  It is derived from the word satyr, the half-man, half-goat creature in mythology who owned the savories.  Apicus, in one of the earliest cookbooks still in existence refers to this herb as "satury" which is perhaps a shortened version of satureja.  Over time "satury" was changed to "savory". 
     The Romans used savory in fish balls, stuffed hare, and other delicacies.   The Romans introduced it to England during Caesar's reign.  Savory, with it peppery flavor, was known to the Romans before the first lots of true pepper were imported from India.  The ancient Greeks as well as the Romans used it blended with thyme for flavoring game and stuffings.  In the first century b.c., Virgil grew savory as ambrosia for his bees, believing it made their honey taste better.
    By the Medieval Age savory was closely associated with forced meats (e.g. sausage) and bean dishes.  Its pungent flavor merited a mention by Shakespeare in "A Winter's Tale".  It was also used to flavor cakes, pies, and puddings.
     The colonists brought it to America as part of a well-stocked kitchen.  Savory was classified as a "sweet herb", along with balm, basil, hyssop, mint, and a dozen others.  But by the end of the 19th century savory, like all other herbs and spices, were generally out of flavor with the "modern cook".  It was believed that the "excess seasoning" of the previous ages had actually masked the true taste of foods, and should therefore be left out.
PropagatingandGrowing
     Summer savory thrives even in poor soil.  Seeds can be started indoors or directly in the garden with a very light covering of soil.  Since summer savory tends to flop over, you may find it best to seed them in clumps for mutual support.  It prefers sunlight and good drainage.  Seedlings sprout in 1 to 3 weeks and look like weeds, so be careful not to pull them out by mistake.  Clip back summer savory before it blooms for best flavor.
Harvesting,Storing,andUsing
     Harvesting summer savory is quite simple.  Just cut the branches down to about 6 inches from the ground.  If is late in the growing seasons and the summer savory begins to flower, then cut the whole plant for dying.  Dry and store the plants as you would any other herb. 
     Summer savory has a special affinity for beans and can be added to any dish containing them.  It is also popular in meat mixtures (e.g. sausage, meatloaf, meatballs), soups of all kinds, and bread mixtures (e.g. stuffing, seasoned bread crumbs).  But don't stop there.  You'll be surprised at how many dishes can benefit from savory.
MedicinalUses
     In addition to being a seasoning, savory has also been used to treat coughs, upset stomachs and sore throats.  In Roman times it was also used as an aphrodisiac.  A poultice of summer savory can be used to relieve the pain of bee stings.

The information above was derived from A Taste of Home magazine, culinarycafe.com, creativeseasoning.com, and oneplanetnatural.com

Recipes of the Month

SAVORY ROAST CHICKEN
Recipe from A Taste of Home

1 broiler/fryer chicken (2-1/2 to 3 pounds)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh savory or 1 teaspoon dried savory

Place chicken, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.  Combine butter, lemon juice and savory; brush over chicken.  Bake uncovered, at 375º for 1-1/2 hours or until juices run clear, basting occasionally with the pan drippings.  Yield:  4 servings.

1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, halved
      1 medium onion, cut into rings
      1 celery rib, sliced
      2 to 3 carrots, cut into 2-inch strips
      1 teaspoon salt, optional
      2 to 3 tablespoons minced fresh savory or 2 to 3 teaspoons dried 
         savory 
   1/8 teaspoon pepper
      1 cup water

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.  Remove with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl. Yield: 6 servings.

   2 medium onions, finely                            (without added butter or milk)
      chopped                                         1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup butter or margarine                      2 tablespoons minced fresh
   2 tablespoons water                                 savory or 2 teaspoons dried
   1 loaf (1 pound) day-old bread,                savory
      crusts removed                                   1 teaspoon salt
   1-1/2 cups mashed potatoes               1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a skillet, sauté onions in butter and water until tender, stirring occasionally.  Break bread into small pieces; place in a large bowl.  Add potatoes, broth, savory, salt, pepper and onion mixture; mix well.  Place in a greased 2-qt. baking dish.  Cover and bake at 325º for 1 hour or until lightly browned.  Yield:  8-10 servings.

   1 tablespoon olive oil 
   2 cups various veggies - use whatever you have on hand, or:  chopped 
       green cabbage, diced carrots, sliced mushrooms, peas, corn, broccoli
       and cauliflower 
1/2 onion, chopped
   2 small cloves garlic, minced
   3 cups water
1/2 Knorr veggie bouillon cube
1/4 cup soy milk
   1 tablespoon flour (white or wheat, your choice)
1/4 teaspoon (or more to taste) each of basil, oregano, and summer savory
3/4 cup orzo (small, rice-shaped pasta)

Heat oil in a medium sauce pan.  Add garlic and onions and cook until onions are translucent.  Add diced carrots or any other slow-cooking veggies you may be using.  Add water, remaining veggies, and bouillon cube.  Bring to a boil.  Add orzo, basil and oregano, and simmer for about 15 minutes.  Whisk flour into the soy milk.  Reduce the heat on the soup, and stir in the flour mixture.  Add the savory.  Stir frequently while the soup thickens and add sea salt and black pepper to taste.  Nice with toast and avocado-grapefruit salad.  Serves 4.

Remedies, Cosmetic Uses & Other Information

     *Use a parsley face mask to gently exfoliate the skin to get rid of dead cells and help the renewal process.  It will leave the skin feeling refreshed and is suited to all skin types.

            2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
            4 tablespoons cornmeal
            2 to 3 tablespoons plain yogurt

     Put the parsley and cornmeal in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of the yogurt.  It should be of a consistency that is easily spreadable.  If not, add up to one tablespoon of extra yogurt.
     Spread this mixture over your face, being careful to avoid the eyes.  Lie down and relax for 15 minutes.  Rinse the mask off using lukewarm water, pat your face dry, and apply a toner and moisturizer.  YIELD:  one use.  PREPARATION TIME:  just a few minutes.

     *If you mulch your gardens heavily after a good, soaking rain as soon as the soil is very warm, you will have very little work to do in the gardens for the rest of the summer.  You can just enjoy, gloat, and harvest.  A heavy (4-6") mulch will retain heat and moisture in the soil, keep weeds from seeing the sun, combat disease, prevent soil erosion, prolong the growing season by maintaining an even soil temperature, keep your herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables clean and dry, provide a support, add valuable enrichment to the topsoil as it decomposes, make your gardens more attractive, and, if all this is not enough, in the winter will prevent root damage from alternate freezing and thawing!

     *Pennyroyal is an excellent mosquito repellent.  Hanging baskets of pennyroyal on the porch or patio will help keep insects away.  Fresh leaves rubbed on picnic guests' arms and legs will keep mosquitoes, bees, flies, wasps, and even chiggers at a distance!  Pennyroyal leaves can be applied to the hair of humans or the fur of pets, but should not be used near the eyes or tender facial areas.

     *What tree did you fall from?  Find your birthday and then find your tree...This is really cool and somewhat accurate  and also in line with Celtic astrology.
     ~Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree
     ~Jan 02 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
     ~Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
     ~Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
     ~Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
     ~Feb 09 to Feb18 - Cedar Tree
     ~Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
     ~Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
     ~Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
     ~Mar 21                    Oak Tree
     ~Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
     ~Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
     ~Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
     ~Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
     ~May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
     ~May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
     ~May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
     ~Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
     ~Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
     ~Jun 24                   Birch Tree
     ~Jun 24 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
     ~Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
     ~Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree
     ~Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
     ~Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
     ~Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
     ~Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
     ~Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
     ~Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
     ~Sep 23                    Olive Tree
     ~Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
     ~Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
     ~Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
     ~Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
     ~Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
     ~Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
     ~Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
     ~Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
     ~ Dec 22                   Beech Tree

APPLE TREE  (the Love) - of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, want to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

ASH TREE  (the Ambition) - uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

BEECH TREE  (the Creative) - has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life ad career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)

BIRCH TREE  (the Inspiration) - vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

CEDAR TREE  (the Confidence) - of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

CHESTNUT TREE  (the Honesty) - of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self-confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

CYPRESS TREE  (the Faithfulness) - strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) - pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

FIG TREE  (the Sensibility) - very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

FIR TREE  (the Mysterious) - extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, uncontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

HAZELNUT TREE  (the Extraordinary) - charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter  for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

HORNBEAM TREE  (the Good Taste) - of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

LIME TREE  (the Doubt) - accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates, fighting, stress, and labor, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.

MAPLE TREE  (the Independence of Mind) - no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

OAK TREE  (the Brave) - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

OLIVE TREE  (the Wisdom)  - loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

PINE TREE  (the Particular) - loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappoints until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

POPLAR TREE  (the Uncertainty) - looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends t lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

ROWAN TREE  (the Sensitivity) - full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

WALNUT TREE  (the Passion) - unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

WEEPING WILLOW TREE  (the Melancholy) - beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

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