Oregano - prized and popular herb

The name Oreganum is the combination of two Greek words, oros meaning mountain and ganos with the meaning of joy. Many people think primarily of Oregano as a culinary herb. Certainly, it is regarded by many as essential in a tomato sauce. And, rarely for herb, its flavour intensifies as it cooks.

However, Oregano is also a valuable herbal supplement. Some of its uses are for arthritis, itchy skin, sore muscles, and swelling. For a relaxing and soothing bath Oregano leaves can be used in the bath water. Finally, some people make Oregano oil and claim it helps rid toothache.

This dried herb contains several constituents, including volatile oil, such as carvacrol, thymol, and borneol, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, triterpenoids, sterols, and vitamins A and C. Thymol and carvacrol lead to the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of this herb. A test tube study demonstrated effective inhibition of Candida albicans fungus.

Oregano can be used to make a tasty tea, which is valuable for gas, indigestion, bloating, coughs, urinary problems, bronchial problems, headaches, and swollen glands. It is also helpful to regulate monthly periods. Other people are sure that it can cure fevers, diarrhea, vomiting, and jaundice.

In Jamaica people burn Oregano scented incense to ward off coughs and other respiratory distresses. Oregano has been used in ancient Greece and many other places across the globe where people have found a different use for Oregano besides cooking. Oregano is a perennial herb that is relative to the mint family and it is a very important culinary herb that is used in a lot of Greek and Italian cuisines. For cooking purposes it is the leaves that are used and while some like nothing but a fresh Oregano sprig, most will agree that the dried Oregano is much more flavorful.

Especially in Italian cooking you will notice a distinct relationship between the uses of Oregano and Basil. The two always seem to create the perfect marriage especially in a tomato sauce. Oregano is also used on many vegetable dishes as well as a seasoning on various meats. The Greeks would never consider cooking with Oregano in their pantry. The famous Greek salad often includes Oregano. No one could imagine eating a piece of pizza without a taste of Oregano added to it.

Oregano is commonly mistaken for Marjoram as the plants look very similar. Outside of the kitchen Marjoram and Oregano are best friends and do a lot together. Both these herbs have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Together they are not only a great combination for flavoring food but also for preserving it too. Because both of their oils have pleasant and strong aromas, they are used in many different soaps and lotions. They are also used in combination for many potpourris.

Oregano has been valued for centuries. around since ancient times both in and out of the kitchen. It had many medicinal properties then and it still does. Its use as an antiseptic has many possibilities; it has antiseptic properties; and its effects on Candida fungus warrant further investigation.

Even then, its effect on a tomato sauce is unrivalled!