Savine (Juniperus sabina) also known as Savin and Genevrier Sabine is  a species of juniper native to the mountains of central and southern Europe and western and central Asia, from Spain east to eastern Siberia, typically growing at altitudes of 1,000-3,300 m.

Traditional Uses of Savine:-

The herb is not used so readily today but was once used in ointments, salves or dressings for blisters, rashes, warts and other skin issues in a similar fashion to Wintergreen. It is not used internally (although it once was) as it is both disagreebale in taste and toxic. It is an irritant even when used topically. It is far too powerful an emmenegogue for human use.

Cautions

The herb causes violent irritations of all the mucous membranes, attack of the nervous system with convulsions due to its constituent sabinol. Pyrogallol blocks the intestinal circuit completely, some animals die quickly after ingestion.

A poultice of the herb was used to rid oneself of warts.

It is not at all a bad insect repellent although this editor hasn’t found it useful in ridding himself of the clothes moth!

Constituents of Savine:-

Volatile oil, resin, gallic acid, chlorophyl extractive, lignin, calcareous salts, a fixed oil, gum and salts of potassia.

Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is often sold in the USA as Savine although it is an entirely different tree.