Wild oregano as one of the most effective germicides.

Added: 09/09/2005

Wild oregano has been used as a therapeutic herb since ancient times. About 5,000 years ago the Babylonians used it as a remedy for curing lung and heart diseases, for healing wounds and venomous bites. Wild oregano was a favorite medicinal herb of the ancient Greeks who used it for curing wounds, various infections, lung and heart diseases. They called it "oroganos" which means "delight of the mountains". Modern Greek researches proved the germicide nature of the plant. In 1995, scientists at the University of Thessoloniki found out that wild oregano oil was able to sterilize septic water, which was also proved by researches held at Cornell University. The research showed that wild oregano was one of the few plants that killed all germs tested.

Wild Oregano (scientific name - Origanum vulgare) is a Mediterranean spicy. It is a perennial herb that is especially common in Greek and Italian cuisines. The leaves of the herb are used in cooking in so many dishes. The dried herb is often more flavourful than fresh. The Oregano herb is also called Greek oregano and wild marjoram. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Wild Oregano is very aromatic, warm and slightly bitter. Oregano largely varies in its intensity: if the quality of the herb is high, then it is so strong that it can numb the tongue. Other names for oregano are Mexican Sage and Mexican Oregano. Wild mountain oregano is not only a herb served for pasta and pizza, but also a plant growing in the Mediterranean only and having strong scent.

Oregano is a horizontal plant which can be 2,5 feet tall. It has pungent leaves. The flowers grow in clusters and bloom in June. Wild oregano has purple flowers while flowers of Greek oregano are white. Oregano got its popularity in America thanks to the pizza craze. The smell and taste of the plant are rather pungent. In warm climate the plant is perennial and it is annual in the north.

The leaves of oregano can be used either fresh or dried. But the aroma can remain if you crush leaves before use. Oregano leaves can be used in a variety of dishes, for example various soups, kidney and liver dishes, salads, scrambled eggs, pasta sauces, vegetable dishes and others. As for the plant's medical purposes, it is used for curing insect bites, nasty summer colds, fungal and skin diseases, etc.

Thanks to its main ingredient carvacrol, wild oregano is famous for its analgesic, antiseptic, and antiparasitical properties. Wild oregano oil is indispensable for various skin problems, minor buns, insect bites, and sunburns. It is advisable to spread one drop of oil on the hurt area or to wrap an oiled cotton ball around the place overnight. You can also use oregano to strengthen your stomach. The mixture of honey and oregano oil is good for curing bruises and contusions. Hot oregano tea is a good remedy for cough, indigestion and gas.

Oregano oil is also famous for its analgetic properties. Scientists in the Anadolu University held a research which showed that oregano oil was more effective with controlling chronic pain than ibuprofen and almost as effective as morphine. The oil destroys mucous during a cold, if to rub it into the chest. Oregano oil is also used for fighting plaque and gingivitis. A 1995 study showed that beside killing bacteria, oregano oil produces heat. Though it doesn't do any harm to human tissues, the heat can be uncomfortable. Therefore it is necessary to dilute oregano oil with the olive one (1-2 drops). Beside internal use, oregano oil can be effective when used topically thanks to its harsh phenols. But it is not advisable to use the oil for a long time or at high doses because it can be harmful for liver and kidneys. Anyway, used reasonably, oregano oil will become an obligatory constituent of your first-aid-kit.

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