Oregano Herb Profile

Also known as

Origanum vulgare, Common and Wild Marjoram, Greek Oregano and Winter Oregano.

Introduction

Oregano is a warm and aromatic yet slightly bitter herb in the mint family. Good quality oregano has a pungency that numbs the tongue. The best quality oregano is grown in a warm, dry climate. The name is derived from the Greek, meaning "mountain of joy". Sunlight encourages the concentration of the essential oils that give oregano its flavor. Two other herbs are used in the same ways as common oregano but have different culinary and medicinal properties. Mexican oregano is a plant in the verbena family that has an even stronger flavor, while marjoram is a closely related plant that lacks oregano's essential oil and has a different, gentler "mouth feel."

Constituents

Carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, caryophyllene.

Parts Used

Dried leaves and flowering stems.

Typical Preparations

Capsules, tinctures, teas, or essential oil. Most commonly used as a flavor and spice in culinary dishes.

Summary

Precautions

Not known to be safe during pregnancy.