Summer Savory vs Illicium verum

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Summer Savory

Satureja hortensis

Digestive

Illicium verum

Digestive

⚠️ Pregnancy & Nursing Warnings

Summer Savory

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Illicium verum

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Annual Mediterranean herb used in classical Greek and Roman medicine as digestive and antimicrobial herb, important in Germanic and Slavic folk medicine.

East Asian spice; rich in anethole and shikimic acid (Tamiflu precursor); digestive and antiviral properties.

Active Compounds

carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid

anethole, shikimic acid, estragole, foeniculin, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

Digestive conditions in ancient Greek and Roman medicine, Diarrhea and food poisoning, Insect bites and stings topically, Cough and bronchitis

digestive complaints, cough, antiviral, infant colic, menstrual disorders

Modern Uses

Antimicrobial, Carminative, Antifungal, Expectorant

digestive carminative, expectorant, antiviral source (shikimic acid), anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

2-4g dried herb tea 3x daily; 1-2 drops essential oil diluted topically

1-3g pods as tea 2-3x/day; 300-500mg extract

Contraindications

Pregnancy in large medicinal doses, Anticoagulants

pregnancy (large doses), estrogen-sensitive conditions, Japanese star anise (toxic species) confusion

Side Effects

Skin irritation with undiluted essential oil

estrogenic effects, GI upset, neurotoxicity if Japanese star anise confused

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E

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