Common Name:

General Information

Satureja intricata is a low-growing shrubby plant, sometimes forming a cushion of growth; it can grow up to 40cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a condiment and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Europe - southeast Spain

Habitat

Forming thickets in sunny places, in gall oaks or junipers, preferably on limestone rocks; at elevations from 350 - 2,100 metres[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus will generally tolerate winter temperatures occasionally falling as low as -10°c[].
Requires a sunny position, thriving in a range of dry to moist soils so long as they are well-drained. Dislikes wet soils and shade[].

Edible Uses

The leaves and young flowering stems are used as a condiment and preservative[]. They have been used in the seasoning and aromatization of stews (rice dishes, gazpachos, etc.), to flavour canned tomatoes, gherkins, and, above all, in the olive seasoning or marinade[].

Medicinal

This species, and various other members of the genus, are especially vauled as a digestive remedy, an infusion of the leaves and young flowering shoots being used to treat cases of stomach pain, gastritis, intestinal colic, gas and other gastrointestinal disorders.
The plants are aperitif, carminative, anticholesterolemic, digestive, a gastric anti-inflammatory and stomachic[]. In addition to its digestive benefits, the plant is used to make a diuretic tea; as well as to treat respiratory conditions, such as colds, catarrh, constipation, flu, bronchitis, asthma, as well as cough, hoarseness, hoarseness and sore throat[]. It is said to reduce blood cholesterol levels[[].

The leaves are smoked to relieve toothache, keeping the smoke between the teeth for as long as possible.[].
An infusion of the leaves and flowers has been used to treat rheumatism, and is applied to disinfect and heal wounds etc, whilst a soothing foot bath is made from a decoction or infusion of the shoots and leaves[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant provides a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination can be slow and erratic[] but usually takes place within a month[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. It is usually possible to plant out into their permanent positions during the summer, but if the plants have not grown sufficiently, or if you live in an area of cold winters, it might be best to grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm taken at a node, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a frame, planting out in late spring or early summer of the following year. A high percentage usually succeed[].
Cuttings of young wood, preferably with a heel, mid spring in a frame[, ]. Plant out in the summer if the plants grow well, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year[].
Division in early spring as growth commences[, ]. This works best if soil has been mounded up into the bottom 20cm of the plant early in the previous summer[]. Pot up the divisions and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established. Plant them out in the summer.