It is from the Lamiaceae family. They are annual or generally perennial dwarf shrub-type durable herbaceous plants whose homeland is unknown, growing wild in Southern Europe and our country, and cultivated in France and Spain.
Approximately 14 species of satyrs, which can grow up to 10-45 cm in length, are seen in Anatolia.
The ones related to our subject are Mountain sater (S. montana) and Common sater (S. hortensis).
The substance called carvacrol, which is found in high amounts in the leaves of zahter, gives it its pleasant smell. When the plant reaches 20 cm., it is cut and collected. It is tied in bunches in shaded areas and hung to dry. It is crushed, powdered and used as a spice. This powder is sometimes incorrectly presented as thyme in spice shops and herbalists.
Use in folk medicine
The plant has expectorant, pain and nerve calming, carminative and disinfectant (essential oil) effects. It is used for all kinds of coughs (bronchitis, flu, pneumonia, shortness of breath), mainly nervous stomach and intestinal pains, chronic gastritis, stomach ulcers, intestinal pain and gas, headache, parasitic diseases (trichinosis, trichocephalosis, ankylostomatosis, etc.).
Zahter is recommended by folk medicine for insomnia, anemia, painful menstruation, etc. It is used externally as a gargle for toothache, as a poultice for boils, purulent wounds, burns, sprains, etc., and as a bath for nervous diseases. It is used in veterinary medicine as a poultice against foot and mouth disease in animals. It is also used in perfumery and canning industries.
The medicinal effects of Zahter, which has been known and used as both a spice and an aphrodisiac since ancient times, and the methods of using them can be summarized as follows:
It is a stimulant. With this effect, it works the stomach. It opens the appetite and facilitates the digestion process. It relieves indigestion.
It removes excess gas from the stomach and intestines.
It is a diuretic. It cleans the blood and urinary tract.
It is a diaphoretic. It has a healing effect on colds.
It also has an antiseptic effect. It is good for tonsil and throat infections.
It has long been claimed that it has aphrodisiac (sexual potency enhancing) effects.
