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Origanum vulgare

Common names Oregano

Taxonomy: Plantae • Magnoliophyta • Magnoliopsida • Lamiales • Lamiaceae • Origanum

Varieties: hirtum

Other tags Magnoliopsida, Lamiaceae, exterior plant, herb...and others.

Photos [6]

About this species

Oregano or Origanum vulgare is a species of Origanum, of the mint family, native to Europe, the Mediterranean region and southern and central Asia. It is a perennial herb, growing to 20-80 cm tall, with opposite leaves 1-4 cm long. The flowers are purple, 3-4 mm long, produced in erect spikes.

Culinary uses

Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb. Oregano is an important flavouring herb in Mediterranean cookery, and is often used dried rather than fresh. The leaves are used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables and legumes, and are frequently included in strongly flavoured dishes with chillies, garlic, onions etc. A nutritional analysis is available. Much of the commercially available dried oregano does not come from this plant but from a number of different, often unrelated plants. These include Lippia graveolens, L. palmeri and Origanum syriacum. A herb tea is made from the dried leaves and flowering stems.

Home care uses

Oregano has been used as a culinary and medicinal herb for thousands of years. It has a beneficial effect upon the digestive and respiratory systems and is also used to promote menstruation. It should not be used medicinally by pregnant women though it is perfectly safe in small amounts for culinary purposes. The leaves and flowering stems are strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, mild feverish illnesses, indigestion, stomach upsets and painful menstruation. It is strongly sedative and should not be taken in large doses, though mild teas have a soothing effect and aid restful sleep. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women. Externally, oregano is used to treat bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and muscular pain. The plant can be used fresh or dried - harvest the whole plant (but not the roots) in late summer to dry and store for winter use. Oregano is often used in the form of an essential oil that is distilled from the flowering plant. A few drops of the essential oil, put on cotton wool and placed in the hollow of an aching tooth, frequently relieves the pain of toothache. This plant is one of the best natural antiseptics because of its high thymol content. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat the same kinds of complaints that the herb is used for.

info Please note that iBotanika, Sequoia S.L., and/or its affiliates shall not be held liable for any personal injury, loss, damages, or other harm resulting from “home care” or medicinal use of any of the plants listed on this site. Please consult a doctor before using any plants in such a manner.

Other uses

An essential oil from the plant is used as a food flavouring, in soaps and perfumery. The herb contains 0.15 - 0.4% essential oil and makes good herbal pillows and baths. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb. The essential oil has also been used to kill lice, though some caution is advised since it can cause skin irritations. A red or purple dye is obtained from the flowering tops, it is neither brilliant nor durable. The plant repels ants. The growing plant repels many insect pests so it is a good plant to grow in the vegetable area. A useful ground cover for sunny positions, forming a slowly spreading clump. Plants should be spaced about 30cm apart each way.

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