Greek Savory
Micromeria graeca · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (25 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Greek Savory, scientifically known as Micromeria graeca, is a resilient perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region. Often found in rocky terrains, this plant is valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, making it a subject of significant ethnobotanical interest.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Aerial Parts
- Common names
- Greek Savory · Mediterranean Whitweed
- Scientific synonyms
- Clinopodium Graecum · Satureja Graeca
Names
Common Names
- Greek Savory
- Mediterranean Whitweed
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Griechische Steinminze
French:
- Micromérie de Grèce
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Micromeria graecaSynonyms
- Clinopodium graecum
- Satureja graeca
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Micromeria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Micromeria | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Balearic Islands, known as Baleares. The species also inhabits the island of Corsica and the territory of France. Additionally, its range extends to the coastal areas of Portugal. Finally, its geographical presence includes the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Micromeria graeca, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which include the stems, leaves, and flowers, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic applications. When preparing decoctions or infusions, practitioners focus on these aerial parts to extract the medicinal properties required for treatment.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Micromeria graeca has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AFB1, AFLATOXIN B1, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Saponins.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| AFB1 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AFLATOXIN B1 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glycosides | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sesquiterpenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sterols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arabinose | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
AFB1
- Toxins
AFLATOXIN B1
- Toxins
Flavonoids
- Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
Glycosides
- Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
Saponins
- Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
Sesquiterpenes
- Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
Sterols
- Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
Tannins
- Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
Terpenoids
- Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
arabinose
- Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
Activities
Micromeria graeca has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antihyperglycemic | Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Micromeria graeca has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anti-hypertensive, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, antioxidant.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| anti-hypertensive | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihyperglycemic | Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihyperlipidemic | Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aqueous extract | Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanolic extracts | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |