This plant originated in Greece, and is a member of the mint family of herbs. Its name comes from the Greek, oros meaning mountain, and ganos meaning joy. Greek mythology says that the plant was created by the goddess of love, Aphrodite, who tended it in her garden on Mount Olympus. She gave it to mortals to make their lives more joyful.
In Greece, the bride and groom would wear garlands of it in their hair at their wedding and it was put on graves so that the dead would rest in peace.
Hippocrates used it as an antiseptic and for stomach pains. It is known nowadays a powerful natural antibiotic, and oregano tea is taken for indigestion and to ease coughs.It was one of the few flavourings for meat used in the dark ages.
You need to be careful with this herb, do not put too much of it into food when it’s dried, as it can make you vomit. A teaspoon is fine!
This is the herb which is normally found on the top of pizzas. It’s one of our favourite herbs, but we were used to the fresh herb or sun-dried herbs.
Try the simple recipe below for the real taste of oregano and Greece.
Greek Salad
ingredients
4oz feta cheese, sliced
1 cucumber, peeled and sliced thickly
1 red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
1 green pepper (capsicum), cut into slices
4-6 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp oregano (dried)
olive oil
salt and black pepper
method
Put the feta on top of the salad vegetables, sprinkle the dried oregano over it, and drizzle olive oil over that and the salad vegetables.
What could be simpler?
It has Taste and is a Treat.
