Oregano - Herb for a Healthy Mind

In short: Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a perennial herb that needs a sunny, sheltered spot and dry, well-drained, alkaline soil. Sow it under cover from March to May or directly from April to August at 30 x 30 cm. Harvest about two weeks after flowering and dry it in the shade at no more than 35 °C.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare), the good old oregano, has been known since time immemorial as a herb for good spirits that "cleanses the soul and helps one to forgive all." Oregano is covered with silvery soft hairs and is considered the king of medicinal herbs of Crete. It has grown in this place since ancient times in the highest altitudes of the Lefka Ori mountains.

Peace of Mind with Oregano

Already in ancient Egypt, oregano was used as a herb for preservation and disinfection. The Egyptians showed it reverence by weaving it into laurel wreaths that they prepared for religious rituals. Its Latin name Origanum vulgare comes from the Greek word oros, meaning mountain. The word Origanum can be translated as the ornament of mountains and hills. The ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite designated oregano, thanks to its sweet and spicy fragrance, as a symbol of joy, which is why the bride and groom were decorated with it during the wedding ceremony.

Oregano was also planted on the graves of the deceased so that their souls would rest in peace. The Greeks used oregano to massage their foreheads and hair after a refreshing bath. There is a well-known legend that Aristotle saw turtles eat a snake and immediately afterward seek out oregano, so he began to use it as an antidote. Another legend tells that Cretan goats that were struck by an arrow sought out oregano, and thanks to it, their wounds miraculously healed. Whatever the legends may be, the effects of oregano cannot be denied.

In the Middle Ages, oregano spread throughout Europe. Ladies from royal courts placed it in sachets, added it to pillow fillings, and it became part of their fragrant and soothing baths. They also added oregano to floor and furniture polishes. Village peasants placed it on milk buckets during storms, believing that it would prevent the milk from curdling.

In the 15th century, Paracelsus used oregano against diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, and skin diseases. Among the people, there was a superstition regarding the effects of an elixir made from oregano - young men wanted to use it to lure young girls under mistletoe. There are many folk names for oregano, including good spirit, midsummer herb, wild marjoram, red tea, or shepherd's thyme. The Czech name "dobromysl" (good spirit) is very apt, as drinking tea from its extracts induces a good mood.

The homeland of oregano is the Mediterranean, but it is cultivated throughout Europe. It grows wild on stony paths, in meadows, near vineyards, and on rocky hills. Oregano is widespread from lowlands to mountain zones.

How to Grow Oregano

Oregano (lat. Origanum vulgare) is a perennial herb with an upright, hairy, reddish stem that can grow up to 1m in height. It has small, opposite, ovate-shaped leaves with short stems. The lower leaves of the plant are larger than the upper ones. The root is woody and creeping. Oregano belongs to the mint family (lat. Lamiaceae).

For growing oregano, sunny and sheltered locations are suitable. Its seeds are sown in drier, well-drained soil with an alkaline character that is rich in nutrients. You can pre-cultivate it in a cold frame, where seeds are sown from March to May. Pre-cultivated young plants are transplanted to the bed from May to July when they are sufficiently strong. Seeds are sown directly in the herb garden bed from April to August.

Seed Germination

Seeds germinate slowly and should be planted at a spacing of 30 x 30 cm. Oregano blooms from July to October with purple or pink flowers located at the top of the stem. The flowers of oregano fill the air with fragrance during flowering. It is precisely this typical aroma that causes it to be confused with garden marjoram.

Two weeks after flowering, the oregano plant contains the most medicinal substances, so this is the ideal time to harvest it. Young leaves for immediate consumption can be picked anytime during growth. In the first year of cultivation, the harvest is relatively small. In the second year, we harvest 2 times a year, or even 3 times in wetter weather. The first harvest focuses on flowers, the next two harvests on herbs and leaves. For storage, we collect flowering herbs and flowers. The herb is cut about 5 cm above the ground where the leaves begin to grow.

Oregano serves as a universal medicine, tonic, and aphrodisiac.

The collected mixture is dried in thin layers or in bundles at a maximum temperature of 35°C. The mixture should not be turned; it's best dried in the shade in a well-ventilated space. Properly dried leaves have a gray color. During autumn, the oregano plant needs to be trimmed and covered with conifer branches or non-woven fabric. If growing oregano as a potted plant, overwinter it in a cool room.

Oregano is Known Both as a Spice and as a Tea Blend

Oregano is used for preparing compresses, as a mouthwash for oral cavity diseases, gum inflammation and bleeding. It can also be used to treat swollen lymph nodes and for treating respiratory diseases. It helps with persistent dry cough and diseases associated with pleurisy.

This herb relieves spasms and is used for colds (including hay fever) and for headaches. It has a calming effect (as a sedative) during agitation and various states of weakness and nervous fatigue. Toothache can be relieved by chewing oregano leaves. Consumption has a beneficial effect on metabolism.

Drinking the tea helps prevent motion sickness. Oregano also has diuretic properties. An oregano bath helps with rheumatic pain and has a therapeutic effect on dislocations. It is used to treat various types of eczema and is recommended as a preventive measure during flu epidemics. In folk medicine, it was used as first aid for unrequited love.

Long-term use promotes a good mood (as its folk name suggests) and improves disposition, thus acting as an antidepressant. Oregano is also added to inhalation and sauna mixtures. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy and in cases of epilepsy.

Oregano contains the following substances: thymol, carvacrol, thujone, tannins, bitter compounds, flavonoids, tannin, volatile oil, resin, carotene, vitamin C and others.

In veterinary medicine, it is sometimes used as a natural remedy to increase milk production in cows. Oregano decoction is also used as a disinfectant for rinsing the oral cavity.

As a spice, the leaves along with the flowers are used, which are very aromatic, pungent with a slightly bitter taste. We add oregano to flavor poultry, pork and lamb, when preparing fish, in soups and in some sauces. It is very often added to dishes made with tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Oregano is a typical spice of Mediterranean cuisine. It is one of the components of spice blends along with rosemary, thyme and marjoram. Fresh oregano should not be missing from the kitchen of Mediterranean cuisine lovers, especially pasta dishes.

What we can prepare from oregano

• Oregano tea is prepared by pouring 250 ml of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons (50 g) of the mixture, leaving it to steep for 8-10 minutes, straining and serving. We drink it always fresh, preferably 3 times a day before the main meal.

• Oregano infusion is prepared by pouring 3 litres of boiling water over 100 g of dried mixture. After steeping, add to the bath.

• Essential oil prepared from oregano is a good remedy against moths and ants.