Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Savory The Safety Factor
The medical literature contains no reports of harm from either summer or winter savory.
Savory is included in the Food and Drug Administration’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, savory is safe in amounts typically recommended.
Savory should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Savor Your Savory
Annual summer savory reaches 18 inches. It has hairy, purplish stems, narrow, lance-shaped leaves, and small white or pink flowers, which bloom from midsummer through the first frost. Winter savory is a compact, woody, perennial bush that grows to 12 inches. Its leaves are similar to those of its summer cousin, only darker green, and its flowers, which bloom from mid to late summer, are white or lavender.
Both are easy to grow from seeds or cuttings, and both grow well in containers. Summer savory grows in most moist, well-drained soils. Sow seeds no-more than 1/8 inch deep under full sun and thin seedlings to 10-inch spacing. Water frequently.
Winter savory is slower to germinate. It prefers lighter, drier soil. Do not over-water. Although it is a perennial, it may not survive New England and midwest winters. Even in warm areas it is short-lived and must be replaced every few years.
Leaves of both species may be harvested when plants reach 6 inches. When they flower, cut them near the ground, dry them, then strip the leaves. Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.