Herb. No. 065 · Lamiaceae
Eastern Mediterranean pizza-herb of hot, dry hills.
Native · Mediterranean
Native Also grownNow a garden plant worldwide
OpenGentleplant
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
A hot Mediterranean mint — pizza leaf, and a traditional winter antimicrobial tea.
Oregano's carvacrol and thymol explain both the pizza and the folk cough use. Dried leaf is warmer than fresh. Oil of oregano is caustic and is not a beverage. Greek and Italian types vary in heat.
Flavor
Peppery, warm, a little bitter — dried is toastier than the garden sprig.
Parts used
Aerial parts
In favor
- Indestructible perennial
- Dries beautifully
Against
- Oil burns mucosa
- Strong tea is drying