A very Mediterranean plant, Satureja thymbra, with its pretty sage-like flowers and thyme-like leaves; it is highly aromatic herb, which has both medicinal and culinary uses. It contains essential oils which have antiseptic properties and was once used to sterilise wine barrels before they were used for new wine. Its common English name is thyme-leaved sage; it has an alternative name, barrel sweetener.

The name satureja is from the latin satyrus meaning satyr as the herb has a strong hot flavour which suggests an associated with lust and passion.