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PLANT BASICS
Ahhh! Spring has sprung. The earth has gone from dormant to waking. My Oregano overwintered well, the plant has begun to grow. Last year it spent the growing season establishing itself, root system, climate and season pattern. Now it is time for this plant to take off. The plant is a part of the Lamiaceae family, or mint family of herbs. This plant is a perennial and evergreen in the right climate, and an annual in northern climates. Originating from the Mediterranean this herb can grow, in the right climate, into a bush. The Greeks named it, it is said that Aphrodite grew it in her garden in order to bring joy to the garden. The word “oregano” is derived from the Greek words oros, for “mountain,” and ganos, for “joy” meaning “ joy of the mountains”.
It is a long time medicinal herb and was used extensively during the middle ages to solve many common aches, pains and stomach issues. The medicinal value of Oregano has become very popular throughout the European, Chinese and American cultures, in recent years. While most supplement stores sell the essential oil, eating the leaves fresh from your garden, are far more beneficial.
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INVASIVENESS AND USES
Oregano is not at all invasive. If you let the plant go to seed, it will reseed itself for the following year. Though the original plant will last 3-4 years. I have it growing in a tire to keep it contained to its own area, for easy cultivation.
Oreagano was, and is, used for the following:
rheumatism
toothache
indigestion
coughing fits
skin irritations and infections
dropsy
convulsions
an antidote for narcotic poisons
diarrhea
stomach upset and nausea
arthritis
muscle and joint pain and soreness
an antiseptic
an antibiotic
respiratory tract disorders
gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
menstrual cramps
urinary tract disorders
MRSA
an antibacterial
type 2 diabetes
anti-cancer
This is actually an amazing fact, the properties of certain compounds in the oregano will kill MRSA. This is quite amazing, especially as our tolerance to man-made antibiotics wanes. Yet you won't see any hospital serving fresh Oregano tea! The, get you sick, keep you sick, medical industrial complex is not about healing, it is about money, and profit.
Here at AR Homestead, we use the fresh leaf to make teas when we have any type of stomach, intestinal, nausea, gut pain or headache. The tea, made from fresh leaves, is very medicinal. I sweeten with honey and sip. Almost immediately the effects take place.
There is an active ingredient in oregano, known as beta-caryophyllin (E-BCP), which has been used to treat osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis.
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COMPOUNDS AND COMPONENTS
calcium
iron
magnesium
manganese
potassium
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
vitamin K
antioxidants
thymol
carvacrol
Terpenes
Rosmarinic acid
Naringin
boron
Folates
Niacin
Pantothenic acid
Pyridoxine
Riboflavin
Thiamin
Sodium
Carotene-ß
Crypto-xanthin-ß
Lutein-zeaxanthin
Oregano has antibacterial properties that are given to it through a compound called carvacrol.
BENEFITS
Eating Oregano as a part of your regular diet, will help you reduce your risk for cancer, keep your gut clean of some pretty bad bacteria and keep your mouth healthy. Yes, by drinking your Oregano tea, your mouth benefits, it keeps bad bacteria out and allows a clean environment for the good bacteria to grow. It helps to keep your teeth clean by killing bacteria that cause plaque.
There are so many benefits to keeping Oregano as a part of your diet, that it only makes sense to keep it close. Whether dried or fresh, the benefits are in favor of planting this in your garden this year!
ANIMAL USES
Currently the larger farms with a lot of livestock are using the Oregano as a way to replace the use of man-made antibiotics. By utilizing the fresh grown herb for grazing livestock, it keeps the gut healthy and fends off the harmful bacteria they might get when grazing on or near fresh manure. Revolutionary animal health for livestock, that has been around since we started herding animals. Also by feeding and adding to bedding of poultry and rabbits, you can almost certainly fend off disease.
Oregano can also be used for dogs by keeping their gut healthy, and adding in all those vitamins and minerals. I will be trying this next if, I see an animal getting a bit sick. I will also start adding the herb to the rabbit hay and see how they do with it. If it does well, I might be growing a ton next year to use here and sell off to local farmers.
https://www.myspicer.com/history-of-oregano/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266259.php
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-oregano-benefits#section3
http://naturalsociety.com/oregano-oil-super-healing-alternative/
https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/oregano.html
https://timbercreekfarmer.com/how-oregano-replaces-antibiotic-use-in-livestock/
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/oil-of-oregano-natural-antibiotic-for-dogs/
Well please up-vote and follow if you like my content. I will continue to post similar articles on plants, homegrown foods, gardening and homesteading ideas. Again thanks for dropping in. Remember that this is not medical advice nor do I prescribe anything to anyone. This post is for educational purposes only. Your body is your temple, treat it well. Have a great garden!
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