Hey there!
I’m Hasan, and I’ve been gardening for about 8 years now. Oregano is a fantastic herb with many uses and benefits.
In this article, we’ll dive into how to add oregano to your diet, the unique Cuban oregano, oregano essential oil, its impact on your brain, and so much more.
Let’s explore how this amazing herb can be a game-changer for your health and organic home garden.
Table of Contents
Cuban Oregano
Cuban oregano is a perennial succulent, not a true oregano, but it smells similar. It’s great for tropical regions and has fuzzy, fragrant leaves.
It’s known for its strong menthol scent and is used in many local cuisines.
Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano oil boosts immunity, relieves aches, and helps with digestion.
It can be used as an insect repellent to clean and sterilize sick rooms.
Always dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin.
This Is Your Brain on Oregano Oil
Using oregano oil can increase dopamine and serotonin levels, improve motivation and focus, reduce anxiety, and even curb appetite.
Oregano Uses and Benefits
Oregano is more than just a kitchen herb. It helps with seasonal illnesses, achy joints, and muscle relief.
Kids over 10 can use it, but it’s not safe for pregnant women or pets. Dilute to 1% for safe use.
The Antimicrobial Mediterranean Herb
Oregano acts like a natural antibiotic and antiviral. It helps balance bacteria in your digestive system and is great for respiratory infections.
Making tea from its leaves is a simple, effective way to enjoy its benefits.
Benefits
Oregano is rich in nutrients, and antioxidants, and has antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties.
You can make oregano tea or use oregano essential oil for health benefits.
Mexican vs. Italian Oregano
Mexican oregano has citrus flavors, while Italian oregano is minty and peppery.
Both are great for different types of dishes.
Mexican oregano pairs well with cumin and chili, while Italian oregano goes well with garlic and basil.
Health Benefits
Oregano is a “super herb” with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. You can chop or crush oregano to release its essential oils.
Companion Planting
Oregano is a great companion plant for many vegetables like asparagus, beans, and tomatoes, but avoid planting it near mint and cucumbers.
From Seed to Harvest: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Oregano
Oregano is a strong-flavored herb used in meats and Italian dishes.
It’s a hardy perennial and part of the mint family, with varieties like Greek, Italian, and Turkish oregano.
Marjoram is similar but lighter in flavor. Oregano thrives in hot, dry areas and can be grown indoors or outside.
To Plant:
- Start Indoors: Plant seeds indoors before the last frost, around February.
- Sow Seeds: Spread seeds on top of the soil without burying them—mist with water.
- Cover and Sunlight: Use a plastic dome to cover the seed tray and place it in a sunny window.
- Other Methods: You can grow oregano from cuttings or dividing mature plants.
To Grow:
- Transplanting: Move seedlings to the garden after frost danger passes. Thin them to 12 inches apart.
- Soil and Sun: Plant in a sunny, well-drained area. Oregano prefers soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0.
- Watering and Mulching: Water only during long dry spells and use hay as mulch.
- Indoor Growing: If growing in containers, bring them indoors during winter.
Care Tips:
- Pruning: Cut back flowers to prevent legginess and cut plants to the ground after the growing season.
- Insect Repellent: Oregano’s strong scent repels insects, making it a good companion for beans and broccoli.
- Pest Issues: Watch out for spider mites, whiteflies, and powdery mildew.
To Harvest:
- When to Harvest: Start harvesting when oregano is 4 to 6 inches tall.
- Best Flavor: Harvest leaves just as flowers begin to bud for the best flavor.
Oregano is easy to grow and adds great flavor to many dishes. Enjoy your harvest.
Uses
Oregano is great for household uses like potpourri and as a companion plant.
Medicinally, it helps with respiratory and digestive issues.
Culinary uses include adding it to meats, sauces, and pizzas.
Oregano (Origanum Vulgare)
Known as wild marjoram, oregano is great for relieving toothache and easing coughs and indigestion. It can be used as a cooking ingredient, tea, or infusion.
How to Add Oregano to Your Diet
Oregano flowers are edible and add color and flavor to dishes. Oregano oil is concentrated and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
You can make oregano tea by steeping the leaves in hot water for 10 minutes. Fresh or dried oregano leaves can be added to salads, soups, sauces, pizzas, and kinds of pasta.
Conclusion
Oregano is a wonderful herb with so many uses, from adding flavor to your dishes to providing health benefits and enhancing your garden.
Whether using oregano oil, making tea, or planting it in your garden, this herb is versatile and beneficial.
Try adding oregano to your life and see the amazing benefits for yourself.
Want to be a successful gardener? How do you start an organic garden for beginners? Before starting a new garden at home you have to know about these 12 steps…
5. Sunlight
6. Essential tools you need
7. Prepare garden bed or grow bags
8. Select some seeds
9. Plant your seeds
10. Water your garden at the right time
11. Mulch your garden
