Today is a dreary, rainy, cold March day…. I am longing for my garden. Plotting and planning. Drawing pictures and planting herbs indoors to hold me over to warmer days… One of my favorite herbs is oregano.
Oregano is an herb in the mint family. Peoples all over the world have used it for thousands of years to add flavor to dishes and to treat many health conditions. It is most notable in Latin and Mediterranean dishes. The Greeks and Romans associated oregano with joy and happiness and this herbs name comes from the Greek words “oros,” meaning mountain, and “ganos,” meaning joy. There are quite a few different types of oregano. The most common type is Oregano vulgare, also known as Spanish thyme and wild marjoram.
Oregano is an important herb in many cuisines around the world (and in my kitchen!) It has a strong flavor and aroma that brings warmth and a subtle sweetness to many dishes. It can be used fresh, dried or as oil making it super easy to add to your diet and your “medicine cabinet”. Either way it is used is shown to have significant health benefits. Even in small quantities, oregano contains some important nutrients. Just one teaspoon of dried oregano provides about 8% of your daily vitamin K needs. From helping fight bacteria to reducing inflammation, studies have shown oregano’s impressive potential benefits.
Oregano is rich in antioxidants. These are compounds that help fight inflammation and damage from harmful free radicals in the body. Oregano also contains potent antibacterial properties. In addition to fighting off bacteria, some studies have found that oregano and its components may also protect against some viruses. Throughout the centuries, oregano has been known to treat many ailments, including skin sores, acne, aching muscles, asthma, cramping, diarrhea, indigestion, and the common cold. According to the National Library of Medicine, some of the ailments people use oregano for are croup, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, headaches, diabetes, ringworm, and as an insect repellant. Oregano is very easy to grow, even here in the hot sandy soil of western Colorado. It starts as a ground-hugging rosette of leaves but can grow to about 2 feet tall. Plant in the spring in well-drained soil with at least 6 hours of full sun. Please be aware that oregano is toxic to pets, so if you grow it, be mindful of where you plant it.
Nomadic Farmer 