Oregano seems like a straightforward enough herb. Anyone who has tasted a tomato-sauce-topped pizza can recall its flavour, which is hearty and assertive with a peppery bite and a zing. Yet once you take a closer look at oregano, things get a little confusing.
Many plants are loosely classified as oregano. Their flavour depends largely on where they’re cultivated; in general the hotter the sun, the stronger the flavour. To add to the confusion, some reference books call oregano “wild marjoram,” and many recipes suggest that the two herbs, both members of the mint family, are interchangeable. In fact, there are so many varieties of oregano that rather than thinking of oregano as a specific plant, one ought to think of it as a particular flavour.
Fortunately (or not, depending on how you look at it), when you buy fresh oregano, you’re rarely given a choice of variety. For much of the year, most stores sell Greek oregano, which is what the largest herb suppliers offer. But depending on the season and the availability of Greek oregano, you might instead find Mexican oregano or some other variety.Though the flavours of these oreganos may be a little more or less intense (Mexican is usually stronger) they can be used interchangeably, so there’s no need to bring your botany book along to the grocery store.
A strong flavour needs other strong flavours
If you’re looking for a delicate herbal flavor, skip ahead to read about oregano’s refined cousin, marjoram. Oregano’s flavour is bold and gutsy; it wants to be noticed. The herb is a natural with garlic; in fact, it’s hard to find a recipe that includes oregano but not garlic. I also like to use it along with lemon or steeped in vinegar. Strip the leaves off the stems. To use fresh oregano, hold the rinsed and dried stems in one hand and strip off the leaves by running your fingers of the other hand down the stems. Use whole leaves or chop them with a sharp, dry knife. The Italians traditionally also use the buds just before they flower.
Dried Oregano — Greek or Mexican?
Although I find fresh oregano more complex and interesting, the herb is among a handful that works well dried. Use Greek oregano in Italian, French, and (obviously) Greek recipes.
The more pungent Mexican oregano is used in commercial chili powders as well as in homemade chili and other Latin American fare. It’s spicier flavour is balanced nicely by cilantro, and it’s a natural partner for cumin.
Dry your own fresh oregano. If you have an excess of fresh oregano, you can dry it by tying the stems together and hanging it in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place. Oregano dried at its peak will likely have more flavour than supermarket varieties, which can vary in age.
I store my homemade dry oregano en branche, as the French say, in a paper bag in a dark place, and crumble the leaves off the branches as I need them. Storing the whole branches helps keep the volatile oils intact.
For delicacy, try marjoram
Sometimes oregano’s hearty nature can overpower a dish. In such cases, I turn to its more demure cousin, marjoram. Some recipes suggest that marjoram and oregano are interchangeable. I disagree. Taste a leaf of marjoram and one of oregano side by side. Marjoram has a kind of woodsy perfume with soft floral edges while oregano has an earthy, sharp, almost resinous quality. Best used fresh, marjoram is generally found in the more refined dishes of northern France and in England, while oregano’s bold flavours are more characteristic of the rustic dishes of southern France, Italy, and Greece.
Experiment with oregano and marjoram
- Toast fresh oregano leaves lightly in a pan and add them to your favourite chili or taco recipe.
- Drizzle olive oil over a hunk of feta cheese that’s been topped with oregano leaves and serve with olives.
- Sprinkle fresh whole leaves of marjoram in a salad of greens.
- Match the woodsy flavor and perfume of marjoram by adding some to a sauté of mushrooms.
- Toss marjoram and toasted pecans with thinly sliced oranges and leeks dressed with pecan oil.
Image by ariesa66 from Pixabay
FAQs
The typical recommended dose ranges widely based in part on the relative concentration of essential oils. Oregano oil is usually well tolerated but side effects of higher doses can include abdominal discomfort, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and headache.
How many times should I drink oregano for a cough? ›
Oregano oil can be taken orally for any cold or cough symptoms. If you have a dropper, you can take two droppers full if you feel any cold symptoms coming on, including a cough. Another way to use oregano oil for coughs is to take three to five drops daily when you have a cough.
What is trivia about oregano plant? ›
Oregano is traditionally used in Italian, Greek, and Mexican dishes. It belongs to the family Lamiaceae and has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Oregano is an aromatic herb with a typical taste found in many different species, mainly from the genus Origanum.
What is the general information about oregano? ›
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb used to flavor foods. It is considered safe in common food amounts, but has little evidence of health benefits. Oregano has olive-green leaves and purple flowers. It is closely related to other herbs, including mint, thyme, marjoram, and basil.
Who should not take oregano? ›
Pregnant women should not take oregano in medicinal amounts because the oils they contain could reach the baby and harm it or may cause miscarriages. And people taking lithium should avoid oregano. You should also be very careful of using oregano oil if you are on blood thinners or medicines for diabetes.
Is oregano safe to take daily? ›
Is oregano oil safe to take daily? Oregano oil extract as a supplement is likely safe for most people if you do not exceed the recommended dose on the package. But if you have other health conditions or take other medications, it is best to check in with a doctor before adding oregano oil extract to your diet.
Who should not drink oregano tea? ›
Oregano Can Induce Labor in Pregnant Women
You should completely avoid oregano as an oil and in tea because these contain particularly high concentrations of the herb's ingredients.
Is oregano good for the lungs? ›
Oregano oil is potentially good for lung health. One animal study found that oregano oil appeared to inhibit the growth of some lung cancer cells in a petri dish. More recent research showed some promise that wild oregano essential oil has an inhibitory effect on certain bacteria known to cause pneumonia.
Can I boil oregano leaves and drink it? ›
Did you know you can make herbal tea with fresh herbs and boiling water? Oregano is an herb that's commonly used in cooking, but few people know its use goes beyond just a seasoning. You can also brew oregano tea for consumption. As it is, oregano has a peppery, slightly bitter taste.
What are the pros and cons of oregano? ›
With its high carvacrol content, oregano oil shows promise for treating bacterial infections when applied topically. However, due to safety and toxicity concerns, oregano essential oil should not be consumed orally unless recommended by a healthcare provider.
In ancient Egypt, oregano was used as both a preservative and an antidote to poison, and Greeks used O. vulgare herb internally and externally as a fomentation to treat skin irritations and infections, dropsy, and convulsions and as an excellent poison antidote.
Why is oregano so good? ›
Oregano is an excellent source of vitamin K and contains antioxidants, which help stop free radicals from causing damage to your cells. Oregano oil, or oil of oregano, comes from the leaves of the oregano plant and has been used in folk medicine for centuries to prevent illness.
Is oregano good for the kidneys? ›
A recently published study revealed that Origanum vulgare essential oil exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and protects kidney tissue DNA damage from exposure to aflatoxin B1 [13].
Is oregano good for high blood pressure? ›
Oregano is an excellent addition to eggs, sauces, dressings and poultry. It's also great for your blood pressure. A 2021 study analyzed herbs and spices combined with blood pressure response. The study found that individuals that consumed the most herbs and spices had lower blood pressure readings 24 hours later.
Is oregano good for diabetes? ›
Oregano might lower blood sugar levels. Taking oregano along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. Oregano might slow blood clotting.
How many days in a row can you take oregano? ›
Green also cautions against using oregano oil for longer than one week. Take one dose three times a day for the first two days, she suggests. Then use one capsule twice a day. If you get no relief from your symptoms after seven days, discontinue its use and find another remedy.
How many days can you take oregano capsules? ›
As we explained before, we don't recommend using oregano oil for any longer than six to ten weeks, at a dosage of around 600 mg a day. You shouldn't use oregano oil for SIBO unless you know you need it. That's because it's a powerful antimicrobial substance that can damage your microbiome.
Does oregano affect liver? ›
... It has previously been shown that consumption of oregano alone or with rosemary increases antioxidant levels and decreases renal and plasma liver injury markers, such as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in both groups [21] .
Oregano seems like a straightforward enough herb. Anyone who has tasted a tomato-sauce-topped pizza can recall its flavour, which is hearty and assertive with a peppery bite and a zing. Yet once you take a closer look at oregano, things get a little confusing.