I am very excited to feature Kathie N. Lapcevic of Homespun Seasonal Living to talk a little about Oregano as a culinary and healing herb and introduce you to Living a Fiercely D.I.Y. Lifestyle ~ Rachel
Often when we think of herbal healing we think of the powerhouses of Elderberry, Echinacea, Valerian and more. Those are good, useful plants and herbs to have on hand without a doubt. However, the herbs we often think of as culinary herbs also have incredible medicinal value as well. These amazing herbs can season our food and heal our bodies, making them extra valuable in our herb gardens.
Oregano is one of these amazing double duty herbs. Oregano means ‘mountain joy’ and well that never sounds like a bad thing, does it? It has some amazing benefits too so be sure to make room in your herb garden, pantry, and medicine cabinet for this beautiful plant.
Growing & Harvesting Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb that can be a bit invasive though is slower growing than mint.
While it can be started from seed, it’ll grow faster if you can get some of the roots from another local gardener.
Oregano likes sun but will tolerate partial shade in northern climates, folks in the deep south should give it afternoon shade for best growth. Put it in soil that drains well, too.
Snip leaves from the plant as needed during the warmer months. Harvest before flowering for the deepest flavor.
Drying Oregano
Like most herbs, oregano dries easily by simply tying in bundles and hanging in a closet or other dark, dry spot until crispy. Remove leaves from stems and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Oregano as Medicine
Oregano is said to calm upset stomachs as well as ease headaches (Herbal Tea Gardens
). It’s an antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, and expectorant that is high in Vitamins A, C, and K (The Herbal Kitchen).
Infuse oregano in honey by filling a jar half full of fresh leaves and filling the jar with honey. Let the jar sit in a sunny window for about a month, turning the jar over now and then. At the end of the month, strain the leaves from the honey and store the honey in a glass jar. Use a small dab of this honey in tomato sauces to help mellow the acidity and kick up the antibacterial properties of dinner during cold and flu season.
Steep oregano in warm water as a foot soak to help sweat out a cold.
Infuse oregano in vinegar by covering fresh oregano with apple cider vinegar and let it steep for 2 weeks. Strain and store in an airtight bottle. Apply this to athlete’s foot to help fight the fungal infection.
Be sure to make room this season and for many to come by planting some oregano this spring and summer.
Living Fiercely D.I.Y.
Do you want to connect with the natural, seasonal rhythms of the earth? Creating natural medicines from the things that are growing in our yards or available to us locally is just one of many ways to build a courageous home and live Fiercely D.I.Y.
The Fiercely D.I.Y Guide to Seasonal Living e-Book will show you how to slow down and find peaceful moments in your daily life. Through weekly exercises, you will learn about the nature that surrounds you and discover how to harmonize with the gradual changes of the seasons.The lessons are short and designed to help you get in touch with the season as it presents itself to you in your part of the world and help you achieve your own homespun seasonal living goals. Visit Homespun Seasonal Living for more information.
About Kathie N. Lapcevic:
Kathie is a freelance writer, teacher, and blogger living in northwest Montana with her soulmate Jeff. She lives a fiercely D.I.Y. lifestyle in harmony with the natural rhythms of nature. You can follow her blog at Homespun Seasonal Living.
References:
- Gladstar, Rosemary. The Herbal Kitchen: 50 Easy-to-Find Herbs and over 250 Recipes to Bring Lasting Health to You and Your Family
. Newburyport, MA: Red Wheel/Weiser. 2010. - Marcin, Marietta Marshall. Herbal Tea Gardens: 22 Plans for Your Enjoyment & Well-Being. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 1999.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I grow oregano every year. It is one of my favs!
Leanne | The Transplanted Southerner says
Timely! I just bought some oregano to plant. I’m looking forward to using it 🙂
Amanda Kolb says
Oregano essential oil was the next on my list because of all of it’s healing powers. I didn’t know about some of the uses you mentioned with the leaves. I’ll have to give some of them a try! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
cdtrimmer says
Very informative article. I had always taken oregano for granted but will look at it differently now. It’s good to know that it has medicinal qualities and I love the name – mountain joy.
Gentle Joy says
This is great information….. I have never heard of the oregano infused honey…. there are so many wonderful ways to use the herbs God has provided…. thank you for sharing this one. 🙂 I pinned your post.
daisy says
Such great information! I’m going to add this to my “Nature’s Medicine Chest” board.
Thank you for sharing at The Maple Hill Hop!
TwoPlusCute says
Amazing! Oregano is a staple for us (I am Greek) but I didn’t know of all the uses you mention.
I wanted to grow it here in New England but I was afraid the cold would kill it easily.
Very informative post, I will pin it in my gardening board (here: pinterest.com/twopluscute/gardens-plants-trees )
~Rachel Arsenault says
TwoPlusCute, Yes, you can grow Oregano here in New England (I am in Maine) and it will come back year after year. I am part Italian and love using fresh Oregano in many of our meals. I was thrilled to discover that Oregano has healing properties as well since it grows like a weed in my garden.
Miss Nifty Thrifty says
I use oil of oregano for so many things! Awesome herb!
Catherine Holt says
We always struggle to grow anything in our garden. Looks like I now know where to start!
Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
Messenger says
We have started growing and eating out of our own garden which is very small, only about 500 sq. ft., so we not only welcome your articles, but have an appreciation for the effort you put forth to keep us healthy out here. Our goal is to eat totally from the garden and we are more than half way there now. Meat is a thing of the past and good riddance. Thanks for the help on this journey and Christ bless. PS: If anyone at Prepper Website is listening we need a lot more articles like this one and a lot less on the bug in/bug out issues. A healthy prepper is a happy prepper, which makes us want to purchase the products of your sponsors. Hint-Hint.