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Benefits |
Preparation |
Medicinal Uses |
Side Effects |
Plant |
Folklore |
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| Common Names |
| Oregano , Wild Marjoram |
| Botanical Name |
| Origanum vulgare |
| Family |
| LAMIACEAE or LABIATAE Mint Family |
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Oregano has a very ancient reputation and has been used in both the kitchen and the sickroom since the time of the ancients. The Greeks used it extensively, both internally and externally as a remedy for narcotic poisons, convulsions and dropsy. Oregano oil and leaf are both strong herbal antibacterial agents due to the high thymol content.
Externally, the dried leaves and tops may be applied in bags as a hot fomentation to painful swellings and rheumatism, as well as for colic. Oregano tea is a strong sedative and traditionally used to treat colds, fevers, and painful menstruation. |
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Prep Methods :infusions, poultice, caps, tincture
 Remedies using Oregano
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 Oregano is a highly active oil that can be a strong skin irritant - use with care. Add lemon to sweeten the spicy, medicinal aroma. |
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 A few drops of oregano oil can be put in the hollow of an aching tooth to relieve pain |
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| Arthritis | | Oregano has 31 know anti-inflammatories, 28 antioxidants and 4 known potent COX-2 inhibitors, including rosemarinic acid. 891
(Newmark, Thomas M., Schulick, Paul 132) | | Culinary | | Oregano an important culinary herb in Greek and Italian cuisines.
Oregano is often used in tomato sauces, fried vegetables and grilled meat. Together with basil, it contributes much to the distinctive character of many Italian dishes, notably pizza. 1184
| | Nervous headache | | An infusion made from the fresh plant will relieve nervous headache 1128
| | Antibacterial oils | | The most effective essence in inhibiting micro-organisms is oregano, followed by ( in descending degrees of effectiveness) by thyme, cinnamon, clove, cajeput, rosemary, pine, fennel, lavender, and myrtle. 483
(Ericksen, Marlene ) | | Emmenagogue | | The medicinal qualities of the oil extracted from Sweet Marjoram - Oleum majoranae - are similar to that of the Wild Marjoram. Fifteen ounces of the oil are yielded by 150 lb. of the fresh herb. On being kept, it assumes a solid form. It is used as an external application for sprains, bruises, etc., and also as an emmenagogue. 1223
(Grieve, Maude 520) |
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Grieve, plate 1.x
 In the older herbals oregano is referred to as Wild Marjoram, which can be confused with the herb known today as wild marjoram, Thymus mastichina , which is a wild-growing species of thyme."
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 The name Origanum is derived from two Greek words, oros (mountain) and ganos (joy), in allusion to the gay appearance these plants give to the hillsides on which they grow.
Marjoram has a very ancient medical reputation. The Greeks used it extensively, both externally and for fomentations. It was a remedy for narcotic poisons, convulsions and dropsy (edema).
(Grieve, M.,320-321) |
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 This is also under the dominion of Mercury. It strengthens the stomach and head much, there being scarce a better remedy growing for such as are troubled with a sour humour in the stomach; it restores the appetite being lost; helps the cough, and consumption of the lungs Nicholas Culpeper |
 Among the Greeks, if Marjoram grew on a grave, it augured the happiness of the departed, and among both the Greeks and Romans, it was the custom to crown young couples with Marjoram.
(Grieve, M.,321) |
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Annies Remedys
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