I want to do an “herb spotlight” series highlighting herbs that are popular in Greek cooking. This will be the first one.

 

Oregano

First and foremost, oregano is the only herb that chefs agree should only be used dry. When oregano dries it actually produce a better flavor, so while you can buy fresh oregano at the store, it is not recommending for cooking. Pretty interesting, right?

Oregano grows about 1 to 2 feet in height and is found (and grows best) in warm climate areas.

In some countries, oregano and it’s cousin plant,marjoram, are synonymous with one another and use interchangeably (often being called wild marjoram) However, they do have a different taste. Oregano tends to be a spiced bitter pungent sweet taste and  marjoram is more of a sweet pine and or citrus mixture. The sweetness is what binds them together on the pallet and we can see why they are sometimes referred as the same.

Oregano grew in popularity in the US after the war, when soldiers returned home and had developed a taste for it while serving in Italy.

Like with a lot of herbs, in ancient times, it is said the  Hippocrates used oregano as an antiseptic. Mashing it up and applying it to wounds to fight off infections.

Additionally, it was prescribed to cure stomach and respiratory ailments. This by being ingested and or boiled in water and drank like a tea.

As a matter of fact, in Crete, which grows a unique kind of oregano called Cretan oregano (O. dictamnus) it is still used today in Greece as a palliative for sore throat.

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Some medical studies may suggest that the Ancients may have been on to something

 

• Clinical research shows that taking oregano after each meal for 3 months can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. However, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels are not affected.
  
• Parasites in the intestines. Taking oil of oregano for 6 weeks can kill the parasites Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni, and Endolimax nana. -Web M.D.
  

The oil from oregano, which you can buy online, is said to do all sorts of wonders and a quick google search will but a bunch of claims in front of you of different things that it heals or helps relief. I don’t know if any are 100% backed by science, so ask your doctor if you decided to give it a try.

Oregano and Greek Food

Almost any meat recipe will include oregano. For example, in Greek cuisine, lamb and oregano always go hand in hand. You will find it on Greek salads, and other vegetables as a topping. Basically, you will find it everywhere. Arguably more than any other herb.

 

Additional source - Wikipedia