Oregano (Origanum vulgar)
Table of Contents
Family – Labiatae or the Mint Family
About Oregano
Description
Oregano is an aromatic, herbaceous, perennial with erect, hairy, square stems, and spreading roots. Under even moderate conditions, when given the chance, Oregano will spread, doing it’s best to take over your garden.
The whole plant grows approximately two feet tall. It has dark green, opposite, oval leaves. Which can be either toothed or untoothed .
Oregano is often mistaken for its close relative Sweet Marjoram. Oregano, however, has a sharper, spicier taste. It is larger, and is a richer color of green. Marjoram is smaller and lighter gray green in color. By all accounts, the ancient Romans used the milder Marjoram for cooking and saved Oregano for medicinal use. Today we use both in the kitchen. Medicinally, Marjoram is milder, with it’s uses similar if not more sedating than it’s stronger cousin.
Oregano has 1 to 1 ¼ inch terminal flower clusters or spikelets that range in color from rosy – purple to white. It usually blooms in late spring to early summer, depending on where you live.
Parts Used
The aerial parts of the Oregano plant are harvested just before or as the plant is beginning to flower. Morning is the best time to gather most plant. Before the heat of the day, and after the dew leaves the plant.
Once cut, bundle your Oregano cuttings and hang to dry. Plants may also be chopped into small bits, put in a jar and covered with either 40% alcohol or Apple Cider Vinegar.
Click here to find out more about making an herbal tincture or acetate.
Primary Constituents
volatile oil, carvacrol, thymol, borneol, rosmarinic acid, the triterpenoids ursolic and oleanolic acid, sterols, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Medicinal Properties
Antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, digestive and tonic.
Energetically it is warming, aromatic and slightly bitter.
Medicinal Use
Oregano is a superb antimicrobial and antifungal agent. Clinical studies have shown the use of Oregano herb to be effective at inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans. The same study showed that Oregano dried herb, when taken by capsule, successfully decreased bacteria in the urinary and digestive tracts. This makes Oregano a good choice when working with conditions like SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), yeast infections, cystitis, parasitic infections, fungal infections and giardia.
The volatile oils in Oregano contains solvents that literally destroy fungus membranes. In another study from Mexico, Oregano was more effective in destroying the giardia microbe than standard medications. More clinical studies demonstrate that the Oil of Oregano has anti-microbial properties effective against all kinds of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus and ringworm.
Oregano Oil
Oil of Oregano, that is either the essential oil and/or infused oil, is useful against other parasitic infections like scabies, mites and the like. Oregano oil can be helpful for a toothache when the essential oil is diluted by putting 5 to 10 drops in about a teaspoon of carrier oil. then putting a few drops in the mouth or on your gums.
Oregano tea or infusion is a diaphoretic used to promote sweating, reduce a fever and to promote menstruations. As a gargle it is useful for sore throat. The tea or essential oil (diluted) is used as a treatment for indigestion, headache, chronic cough, asthma, allergies and food poisoning.
A poultice of the leaves or infused oil is applied externally to sore, aching muscles and joints and to reduce swellings. The poultice can be applied to insect bites, sores, and venomous bites such as that from a scorpion or spider.
Interactions and Contra indications
Oregano has a moderate interaction with Lithium. Seeming to affect the bodies ability to process Lithium and can lead to excess amounts of lithium in the system. Possibly resulting in serious side effects.
Talk with your healthcare provider before using Oregano as a medicine or supplement if you are taking lithium.
Oregano is contra-indicated when pregnant (other than as a culinary herb).
History and Folklore
Oregano is native to the Mediterranean. Its botanical name Origanum means “joy of the mountains” otos meaning “mountain” and ganos meaning “joy”. Historically there seems to have been a lot of confusion between Oregano and Marjoram beginning with the Romans and Greeks. Luckily, with only minor differences, they are both used for essentially the same purposes. In the past, Oregano was preferred for medicine while its cousin marjoram was favored for use in the kitchen.
Product Suggestions
Wonderment Gardens LLC
At Wonderment Gardens we offer our full line of high quality, small batch, herbal products. Each made with love and integrity. All of our products, from beauty creams to medicinal tinctures, to children products and formulated with the utmost care an attention.
Affiliate Products
We realize that we simply can’t make it all. Below are some great products, offered by some great companies. Products you can trust.
The following are affiliate links. That means, if you purchase a product through one of the links, I make a commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured I only suggest products I can support and feel confident about. Thank you for your support.
References
Branca, Charlotte: Dr Christopher’s Herbal Legacy
Rodales’s Encyclopedia of Herbs
Disclaimer
The statements and ideas presented here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. They have not been evaluated by the FDA. All ideas presented are for the sole purpose of education. To help you take control of your own health. If you have a health concern or condition, consult a physician. We suggest that you always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing any new exercises.
These statements and products have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health concern or condition, consult a physician. Always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing any new exercises.
Herbs taken for health purposes should be treated with the same care as medicine. Herbal remedies are no substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle. If you are serious about good health, you’ll want to combine diet, exercise, herbals, a good relationship with your doctor and a generally healthy lifestyle. No one of these will do it alone.
This information is designed to be used as part of a complete health plan. No products are intended to replace your doctor’s care, or to supersede any of his/her advice or prescriptions.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog. Keep writing. Lynett Graig Dino
Thank you for your kind words
I like the valuable information you provide in ylur articles. Brandea Randell Waring
After looking at a few of the blog posts on your website, I seriously like your technique of blogging. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website too and let me know what you think. Belle Wait Jeaz
Glad you like the blog. Thank you for your kind words. Hope to see you back soon
Some truly interesting points you have written. Aided me a lot, just what I was searching for : D. Rosemary Gino Oza
Thanks a lot for the blog. Really thank you! Really Cool. Cammie Rouvin Samira
FIRE is a new term for me. Now I know what it is. Thanks for spreading awareness. Eddi Bo Asa
Excellent article! We are linking to this particularly great post on our website.
Keep up the great writing.