Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony Apple mint Asafoetida Avens Barberry Basil Bistort Boneset Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Herb : Oregano leaves

(Botanical name: Origanum vulgare)

Classification

• Kingdom : Plantae
• Unranked : Angiosperms
• Unranked : Eudicots
• Unranked : Asterids
• Order : Lamiales
• Family : Lamiaceae
• Genus :Origanum
• Species :O. vulgare

Oregano is an important culinary herb and best among those who dry well.

History

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.

Plant Description

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.

Cultivation

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.

Parts Used

Dried leaves of oregano are used in food and its oil is used for medicinal purpose.

Constituents

Main constituents are carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene and caryophyllene, phenolic acid and flavonoids.

Culinary Uses

• It is widely consumed herb used in Turkish, Greek, Spanish and Italian cuisines.
• Its leaves are used in cooking and dried leaves are used for sprinkle to add flavor.
• Oregano nicely combines pickled with olives, capers and lovage leaves. It has a warm, aromatic and slightly bitter taste.
• Italians use oregano to sprinkle on pizza and also add in various sauces, chicken dishes and salads.

Medicinal Uses

Oregano is high in anti-oxidant, due to the presence of phenolic acid and flavonoids.

The leaves and flowering stems are strongly

• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic
• Carminative
• Cholagogue
• Diaphoretic
• Expectorant
• Stimulant
• Stomachic

Other Names

• Dostenkraut
• European Oregano
• Labiatae
• Lamiaceae
• Mountain Mint
• Organy
• Origanum vulgare
• Origani vulgaris herba
• Wild Marjoram
• Winter Marjoram
• Wintersweet