In temperate zones, oregano can be grown year round. In zones with harsher climates, oregano is considered an annual. No worries, as oregano is easily grown from seeds and can be propagated from cuttings.

To grown oregano, choose a sunny spot with well draining soil. No need to ammend too heavily as the plant will develop more of the volatile oils (those responsible for it’s pungent flavor and it’s medicinal properties) in more challenging conditions.

If you are growing from seed just lightly cover the seeds with a dusting of soil as the seeds like a bit of light in order to germinate.

To harvest, pick sprigs when the plant is at least 5 to 6″ tall. For the best flavor pick young leaves in the morning when the oils are at their highest levels. Be aware that as the plant flowers the flavor begins to diminish and with some varieties even becoming bitter. You can delay blooming by pinching off the flowers as they begin to form.

When using the fresh leaves to flavor cooked dishes, add the oregano towards the end of the cook time for maximum flavor as the volatile oils tend to cook off with long cook times.

Oregano can also be easily dried – pluck the leaves from the stems, spread in a single layer on a tray in a cool well ventilated place until totally dried. Store in an airtight jar for up to 6 to 8 months.

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Oregano finds it’s roots in the Mediterranean and in parts of Asia. Today, we find it growing in all parts of the world and widely used in Italian, Greek and Mexican cuisines. Coincidentally, these are the 3 main varieties grown AND the 3 types with the most antioxidant activity.

Oregano has a long history of medicinal use dating back to Hippocrates who used oregano as an antiseptic as well as for digestive and respiratory disorders. Modern science (with research from the USDA) has backed up the health benefits of oregano showing oregano to be a super concentrated source of powerful phytochemicals and antioxidants including thymol and carvacrol. These compounds and many others are responsible for oregano’s many healing properties*:

• anti-microbial: used as an antiseptic; particularly effective against certain bacteria responsible for food borne illnesses
• anti-parasitic: found by Mexican researchers to be effective against giardia
• anti-fungal: used often by herbalist to fight yeast infections such as candida
• anti-spasmotic
• calmative / sedative

Generally, when used for it’s medicinal properties, oregano is taken as a concentrated oil in gel capsules by mouth or when used as an antiseptic – the oil is used topically.

Many of these “anti” properties lends itself to using oregano as a food preservative (use in dry rubs) or to extend the shelf-life of foods.

Tomorrow, tips on growing this must have herb.

*Be advised that any nutrition information suggested is not intended as a treatment for any disease. The intent of any nutritional recommendation is to support the physiological and biochemical processes of the human body, and not to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent any disease or condition. Always work with a qualified medical professional before making changes to your diet, prescription medication, lifestyle or exercise activities.

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