Pungent, balsamic, spicy, zesty, slightly bitter, aromatic, tasty and healing describes oregano, an ancient herb with many culinary and healing properties. Oregano, origanum vulgare, is a well-known common species of Origanum, a genus of the mint family. Grown as a hardy small shrub and considered to be a perennial herb, oregano grows to be anywhere from about two to over six feet tall. One bush goes a long way and will stay productive for at least three years or longer, then will reseed itself. Two varieties of oregano are grown and used in Belize. One is the familiar small medium grayish to green leaved kind, described above, which many associate with pizza and spaghetti sauce. The other variety, grown widely in Belize, known as ‘Mexican oregano’, has larger succulent, fuzzy, pale green leaves, and is actually not considered botanically to be a true oregano. Mexican oregano is a member of of the vervain family, Verbenceae. It grows easily and is used to add a hint of rosemary with a citrus accent and is used as a subsitute for epazote leaves.
Oregano originated in the Meditteranean region. It was a tradition for the early Greek and Roman brides and grooms to be crowned with a laurel of oregano leaves. The translation of oregano means ‘mountain joy’ as the plants flourished with a show of greens and blossoms, white, pink, rosy to purple, giving beauty to the mountains. For many generations oregano has been enjoyed as a culinary herb as well as a plant with many healing properties. It grows well in any sunny location and prefers keeping its roots dry. Oregano is not tolerant of cold. It may be grown as an attractive pot-herb indoors or outdoors, but grows best in a sunny open air location.oregano
Oregano is a close relation to marjoram and the two herbs are sometimes used interchangably. All marjoram species are also called oregano. Only a few of the fifty plants called oregano are ever called marjoram. Marjoram is considered by some have a sweeter and slightly spicier flavor. Many palates cannot tell the difference between the two herbs.
cuttings and thrive is bright hot sunlight. To plant as a seed, weed and loosen soil drop one seed about every six inches apart and one-half inch deep and water. To start from cuttings, cut a few woody stems, gently pick of the leaves and place is a sandy-loamy soil combination for about one month until the roots form and the plant starts leafing. Thin to to be approximately twelve to fifteen inches apart. Water only when dry. The plant will grow denser and bushier if pruned back once the plant is four inches tall and while harvesting the leaves. Oregano is a good companion plant to peppers and tomatoes and grows well with basil to help repel aphids.
Oregano contains numerous phytochemicals including thymol, caravol and rosmarinic acid, and is a powerful antioxidant with antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Other health benefits include: omega 3s, manganese, beta carotene, vitamin C and K. A tea made from the leaves is used to sooth upset stomachs and to ease painful menstruation. A few drops of oregano oil may be mixed with coconut oil to help boost the healing of bug bites, skin infections or to treat warts. The recipe for making healing oregano oil is as follows: place one half cup finely chopped oregano leaves in a sterile jar our one half cup olive oil over the leaves. Place jar in a pot of water that has been boiled, then turned off. Let sit for about ten minutes, remove jar and place in a sunny window for a week or two, gently shaking the jar every few days. Strain the oil from the leaves and store in a cool dark location.
Try adding a few sprigs of oregano along with a few slices of garlic to olive oil and and infuse for a flavorful culinary oil. Oregano cuttings can be stored in the refridgerator in a slighty damp cloth will keep for at least one week. Dried leaves can be stored for about six months. Add a few leaves to ice cubes to drop into soups and stews.
Oregano can be used in a cut flower arrangement, imparting a warm spicy aroma to the bouquet.
Oregano, easy to grow, beautiful, delicious and nutritious with powerful healing properties is a plant for everyone’s garden! There may be a strong future to grow oregano in Belize as a commercial crop to sell as sprigs or plants to resorts, at the open air market or in the form of healing and culinary oil.
-- Mary S Loan