Oregano is an important culinary herb and best among those who dry well.
Oregano is specie of origanum of the mint family and a native to Europe
and Mediterranean region, southern and central Asia.
It is small green plant that has been used for many centuries as a
flavoring herb and for its medicinal uses.
Oregano is perennial bushy shrub with many stems and branches its leaves
are round and oblong and about 4cm long.
Its flowers are tall, purple and white and tube shaped. A typical oregano
grows to about 30-45cm.
Oregano seeds are small and dark brown and could easily be mistaken for a
speck of dirt if it is found on the ground.
Today oregano is found in every part of the world as it grows
abundantly.
It is popularly found in tropical or temperate climate. It grows in well
drained, slightly alkaline soil and prefers full sunlight.
It requires a pH balance of about 6-8. It can be propagated from seeds,
stem cuttings or root division.
Dried leaves of oregano are used in food and its oil is used for medicinal purpose.
Main constituents are carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene and caryophyllene, phenolic acid and flavonoids.
Oregano is high in anti-oxidant, due to the presence of phenolic acid and flavonoids.
The leaves and flowering stems are strongly