An easy to grow perennial herb (grown as an annual in colder regions), oregano is part of the Lamiaceae (mint) family and native to the Mediterranean, Europe, and south-central Asia. Used for medicinal, culinary, and even magical purposes (grown near your home offered protection from evil forces), oregano can be eaten fresh or dried. Its fresh leaves provide a hot-spicy bite; while the dried leaves mellows the flavor and offsets the bitterness.
Ann--Oregano is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, a family which has over 200 genera and approximately 7000 species, and provides more of our kitchen herbs than any other family, including basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, hyssop, thyme, and lavender as well as oregano. Members of the mint family dominate Mediterranean areas where few other plants grow and readily hybridize with each other, which helps to explain the great variety of plants and aromas in the family that can be used for cooking.
Oregano is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, a family which has over 200 genera and approximately 7000 species, and provides more of our kitchen herbs than any other family, including basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, thyme, and lavender, including oregano. Members of the mint family dominate Mediterranean areas where few other plants grow and readily hybridize with each other, which helps to explain the great variety of plants and aromas in the family that can be used for cooking.
Cultivated first by the Greeks, oregano is derived from the Greek phrase, ‘joy of the mountains’ ‘oros’ (mountain) and ‘ganos’ (joy) as it spread its sweet aromas across Grecian hillsides. According to Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite invented the spice, dedicating it to man to make his life happier. In fact, not only did oregano inspire joy among the Ancient Greeks, but for centuries, oregano has been used to treat numerous ailments. Containing multiple antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, oregano relieves coughs, reduces body odor, soothes digestive muscles, and lowers blood pressure. It is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Loaded with maganese and Vitamin K, oregano helps diminish the risk of blood clots, reduce blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Oregano oil has even been reported to heal allergies, sinus pain, arthritis, cold and flu, earaches, fatigue, and even improve psoriasis. Oregano is also a strong antioxidant, with high levels of beneficial acids and flavonoids, believed to help prevent and repair heart disease.
This may be hard to believe, but oregano was little known in the United States prior to the World War II. Soldiers discovered the flavors and aromas while stationed in Italy during the war and brought back the warm, spicy flavor to add some zing to American dishes.