Interesting facts about oregano

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Oregano is a aromatic perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae).

It is characterized by opposite, aromatic leaves and purple flowers.

Oregano was first used by the Greeks. In their mythology the goddess Aphrodite invented the spice. Giving it to man to make his life happier.

After the Romans conquered the Greek, the Romans inherited the use of oregano and the Romans were the ones responsible for the extensive use of oregano all over Europe and abroad. After that, with time this herb found itself a journey from the Middle East to China.

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Oregano was not widely used in the United States until after the Second World War. Soldiers discovered the herb during the Italian Campaign and brought it back to the United States.

Oregano is usually grown as a small evergreen subshrub in mild climates.

Oregano is a perennial herb, growing from 20 to 80 cm (8 to 31.5 in) tall, with opposite leaves from 1 to 4 cm (0.4 to 1.6 in) long. The flowers are purple, 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) long, produced in erect spikes.

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Oregano is a culinary herb, used for the flavor of its leaves, which can be more flavorful when dried than fresh. It has an aromatic, warm, and slightly bitter taste, which can vary in intensity.

The herb has long been an essential ingredient of Mediterranean cooking.

It serves as a culinary herb added to meat, soup, and sausages, among others, and is particularly popular in tomato-based dishes and pizza.

Oregano is high in antioxidant activity, due to a high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids.

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Oregano is a powerfully antiseptic plant thanks largely to its constituents known as carvacrol and rosmarinic acid. Unlike antibiotic drugs that work only on harmful bacteria, these compounds in oregano work against bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites like worms, making it a well-rounded antiseptic to keep in your natural medicine cabinet.

Other health benefits of oregano include ability to protect the immune system, prevent the onset of chronic diseases, improve digestion, detoxify the body, strengthen the bones, improve heart health, boost energy levels, protect against diabetes, calm nerves and even as cure for sea sickness.

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Oregano has been used medicinally since the time of the ancient Greeks.

Hippocrates, one of the greatest philosophers from the times of the ancient Greek, has found uses for oregano as an antiseptic.

Oregano oil can be used to keep of yeast infections and can be used for respiratory health and strengthening the immune system. A drop of oregano oil on toothbrush will help completely take care of gum disease and tooth decay.

The word “oregano” is derived from Spanish orégano, from Latin orīganum, from Greek ὀρίγανον (orī́ganon). This is a compound of όρος (óros), “mountain”, and γάνος (gános), “brightness”, whence “brightness of the mountain.”