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Scientific name: Origanum Vulgare, Origanum Mexicana
Other names: Mexican Sage, Mexican Oregano
Oregano comes from the labiate family like basil. Its natural habitat is the mountainous region around the Mediterranean Sea. The ancient Greeks and Romans introduced oregano to Europe and the Spaniards in turn brought it to the new world. It is grown for export in Mexico as Origanum mexicana Mexican oregano. The name oregano means joy of the mountain.
The oregano plant can grow horizontally up to 2 ½ feet tall with pungent leaves. The flowers grow in clusters at the end of shoots and bloom in June. Wild oregano flowers are purple in color while Greek oregano has white flowers. The Mexican oregano is more pungent than the Mediterranean variety and is a shrub like plant that can grow to a height of 7 feet. Oregano became popular in America when the pizza craze caught on.
This herb has a pungent smell and taste. It is a perennial plant in warm climates and in the north it is an annual. The leaves contain essential oil called origanum oil.
The leaves can either be used fresh or dried. Crushing the leaves before using them, will release the aroma. Oregano is used in many dishes besides pizza. It is used in meat, liver and kidney dishes, salads, stuffings. Oregano is also used to soups, vegetable dishes and scrambled eggs, pasta sauces.
Medicinal uses: Ancient Greeks used oregano as an antidote and it was used by Ancient Egyptian herbalists for medicinal purposes as well.
Oregano can be taken to strengthen and stimulate the stomach. To help heal bruises and contusions, mix dried oregano leaves with some honey and apply as a salve. Drink hot oregano tea if you are coughing or have indigestion and gas.
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