Oregano is an aromatic spice that is not only extremely popular in Mediterranean cuisine. The herb has been used as a diverse remedy since the Middle Ages.

Main features and properties:

Designation:

  • Latin name: Origanum vulgare
  • Common German names: Dorst, Dost, Wohlgemut

Look

  • Plant Family: Lamiaceae
  • Flowers: White, soft pink or violet, more rarely wine-red. They sit on spherical panicles.
    Flowering time: From July to September.
  • Leaves: Ovate and tapering, in some species covered with a delicate downy. Arranged opposite.
  • Scent: Leaves and flowers smell pleasantly spicy aromatic. They attract a lot of bees, butterflies and other insects.
  • Fruits: Dark brown nuts, about 1 millimeter in size, develop from the flowers and are spread by the wind.
  • Height of growth: Depending on the species, oregano grows 20 to 50 centimeters high.
  • Age: Perennial, perennial plant.
  • Origin and distribution area: Oregano is native to the entire Mediterranean region. In the meantime, the conditionally hardy plant has also settled in warmer areas of Central Europe. Wild oregano can be found in open, dry forests, along roadsides and in meadows.
  • Site conditions: Oregano prefers warm and sunny places as well as calcareous soil. Here it grows denser with age and forms large, fragrant cushions over the years.

use

Oregano is a typical spice in Mediterranean cuisine and gives dishes such as tomato sauce, pizza or moussaka their intensive aroma. The leaves of the plant are heat stable and can be cooked for a long time. The oregano flowers are also edible. Used fresh, they not only give salads a pretty look, but also enrich the dishes with their delicate, spicy aroma.

An infusion of crushed oregano leaves relieves respiratory ailments. It is also effective against abdominal cramps, flatulence, constipation and urinary tract diseases.

The tart essential oil of oregano is obtained by steam distillation and is considered one of the most effective natural substances for killing germs. It can be used both internally and in the form of ointments, tinctures, and in a steam inhaler.

tips and tricks

Add about 5 drops of oregano oil to the steam lamp's water bowl. The aromatic scent promotes recovery after great physical or mental exertion. It also facilitates breathing in upper respiratory tract infections.

Category:

Vegetable garden