Is oregano a perennial herb?
Written By: Oregano, (Origanum vulgare), also called origanum or wild marjoram, aromatic perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) known for its flavourful dried leaves and flowering tops. Oregano is native to the hills of the Mediterranean countries and western Asia and has naturalized in parts of Mexico and the United States.
What is oregano and how is it used?
Here’s our process. Oregano is a herb from the mint, or Lamiaceae family. People have used it for thousands of years to add flavor to dishes and to treat health conditions. It features in the Mediterranean diet. The Greeks and Romans associated oregano with joy and happiness.
What does ore oregano look like?
Oregano is a woody perennial plant, growing 20–80 cm (8–31 in) tall, with opposite leaves 1–4 cm ( 1⁄2 – 11⁄2 in) long. The flowers are purple, 3–4 mm ( 1⁄8 – 3⁄16 in) long, produced in erect spikes in summer. It is sometimes called wild marjoram, and its close relative, O. majorana, is known as sweet marjoram.
What is the difference between oregano oil and oregana oil?
Although oregano oil is much more concentrated and has greater therapeutic potential, cooking with oregano has its health benefits, too. What Is Oregano? Oregano ( Origanum vulgare) is an herb that’s a member of the mint ( Lamiaceae) family.
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Is mint leaves and oregano the same?
Oregano is a herb from the mint, or Lamiaceae family.
Is oregano in the mint family?
It is astounding that so many of our most popular and valuable herbs – including what I would consider the majority of the finest culinary herbs – are in the mint family. They include basil, thyme, lavender, lemon balm, oregano, sweet marjoram, rosemary, sage, savory, summer savory, anise hyssop, and germander.
How can you tell the difference between mint and oregano?
0:171:54How to Identify Oregano - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGreen color inspect the flowers oregano has pink or purple flowers. While common marjoram has whiteMoreGreen color inspect the flowers oregano has pink or purple flowers. While common marjoram has white flowers oregano tends to sprawl out as it grows.
What family is oregano in?
MintsOregano / FamilyOregano (US: /ɔːˈrɛɡənoʊ, ə-/, UK: /ˌɒrɪˈɡɑːnoʊ/; Origanum vulgare) is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae.
What is another name for oregano?
wild marjoramoregano, (Origanum vulgare), also called origanum or wild marjoram, aromatic perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) known for its flavourful dried leaves and flowering tops.
Which herbs are in the mint family?
MintsMint / FamilyThe Labiatae, the 3,500 members of the mint family, include, beside mint, a number of herbs that are fundamental to Western cooking — thyme, marjoram, oregano, basil, sage, rosemary, savory — along with other ancient herbs with less culinary value, such as lavender, hyssop, lemon thyme, horehound, betony, catnip, lemon ...
Does oregano taste like mint?
Oregano is a herb plant that is closely related to mint. Like many other herbs, oregano has a unique taste with fresh qualities and also earthy flavors.
What leaves are mint?
Peppermint and spearmint are likely the most commonly used mint varieties, but many others exist, such as wild mint and water mint. Some plants referred to as "mint" also fall under the genus Monarda. Both Mentha and Monarda genuses are within the same family, called Lamiaceae.
Does fresh oregano smell minty?
A. Oregano is in the mint family. It does sometimes smell very minty, especially if the plant grows out with long stems.
What are oregano leaves?
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.
What is oregano made up of?
Oregano is an herb composed of the fresh or dried leaves of the oregano plant. The plant has tiny leaves that lend a pungent aroma and strong flavor to a variety of savory foods.
Is oregano a basil?
Oregano And What To Know From a botanical standpoint, oregano is a cousin to basil since both of them belong to the minty Lamiaceae family. You may also hear some people call it “wild marjoram”. Regardless of the name, oregano is a prominent culinary herb in Mediterranean cuisine.
Are oregano and rosemary related?
This trio of fragrant herbs is very popular – not only do they taste great, they also have some amazing health benefits. Basil, oregano and rosemary belong to the mint family. All these plants are characterised by aromatic leaves and are cultivated across the world.
What leaves are mint?
Peppermint and spearmint are likely the most commonly used mint varieties, but many others exist, such as wild mint and water mint. Some plants referred to as "mint" also fall under the genus Monarda. Both Mentha and Monarda genuses are within the same family, called Lamiaceae.
Is basil and mint related?
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a culinary herb belonging to the Lamiaceae plant family. If you're familiar with botanic terms, you'll probably notice that the Lamiaceae family is also called the “mint family”. In other words, basil and mint are (in a way) related to one another.
Is rosemary a mint?
Rosemary is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, along with many other herbs, such as oregano, thyme, basil, and lavender.
Etymology
Used since the middle 18th century, the Spanish word orégano is derived from the Latin orīganum and ultimately from the Classical Greek ὀρίγανον ( orī́ganon ). This is a compound Greek term that consists of ὄρος ( óros) meaning "mountain", and γάνος ( gános) meaning "brightness", thus, "brightness of the mountain".
Description and biology
Oregano is related to the herb marjoram, sometimes being referred to as wild marjoram. It has purple flowers and spade-shaped, olive-green leaves. It is a perennial, although it is grown as an annual in colder climates, as it often does not survive the winter.
Taxonomy
Many subspecies and strains of oregano have been developed by humans over centuries for their unique flavours or other characteristics. Tastes range from spicy or astringent to more complicated and sweet.
Uses
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Other plants called "oregano"
Coleus amboinicus, known as Cuban oregano, orégano poleo (' pennyroyal oregano'), orégano francés ('French oregano'), Mexican mint, Mexican thyme, and many other names, is also of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It has large and somewhat succulent leaves.
Antibacterial properties
The main components of oregano essential oil are carvacrol and thymol. These may have antimicrobial properties.
Anti-inflammatory properties
According to one literature overview, the oils and constituents of oregano oil, such as thymol and rosmarinic acid, appear to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Diabetes
Compounds in oregano may help manage type 2 diabetes. Authors of a 2016 rodent study concluded that Origanum extract may help:
Depression
In 2018, scientists looked at how treatment with oregano oil and other substances affected rats with depression due to chronic unpredictable stress.
Other possible health benefits
According to the National Library of Medicine, people take oregano products by mouth for:
What Is Oregano?
Oregano ( Origanum vulgare) is an herb that’s a member of the mint ( Lamiaceae) family. It has been used for thousands of years in folk medicines to treat upset stomach, respiratory complaints and bacterial infections.
Benefits
The leaves and dried versions are excellent sources of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds. Most studies involving the herb are done with its essential oils, which is a more concentrated form and has greater efficacy for promoting overall wellness and healthy aging.
How to Add to Diet (Recipes)
It’s easy to add oregano spice and leaves into your everyday diet. It’s commonly added to Mediterranean dishes and serves as a versatile spice for sauces, stuffings, soups and salads.
Risks and Side Effects
Consuming dried or fresh oregano is safe in normal amounts, when added to recipes. People who are allergic to herbs within the Lamiaceae family, like mint and basil, should be cautious when eating it for the first time.
Antioxidant effects
More human studies need to be performed to fully understand the impact of oregano on human health. However, many in vitro studies have shown that oregano may block the harmful effects of substances in your body called free radicals. These substances cause oxidative stress to your body.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Oregano’s flavonoid and phenolic compounds may decrease inflammation in the body. Consuming it may help with certain inflammatory conditions, such as muscle or joint pain, skin irritation, or dry coughs.
Antibacterial and antiviral effects
Oils in oregano can also block the growth of organisms, including certain types of harmful bacteria and viruses. This means that oregano may have a role in treating or preventing certain types of infections.
Overview
Oregano is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae. It was native to the Mediterranean region, but widely naturalised elsewhere in the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
Oregano is a woody perennial plant, growing 20–80 cm (8–31 in) tall, with opposite leaves 1–4 cm (1⁄2–1+1⁄2 in) long. The flowers are purple, 3–4 mm (…
Etymology
Used since the middle 18th century, the Spanish word orégano is derived from the Latin orīganum and ultimately from the Classical Greek ὀρίγανον (orī́ganon). This is a compound Greek term that consists of ὄρος (óros) meaning "mountain", and γάνος (gános) meaning "brightness", thus, "brightness of the mountain".
Description and biology
Oregano is related to the herb marjoram, sometimes being referred to as wild marjoram. It has purple flowers and spade-shaped, olive-green leaves. It is a perennial, although it is grown as an annual in colder climates, as it often does not survive the winter. Oregano is planted in early spring, the plants being spaced 30 cm (12 in) apart in fairly dry soil, with full sun. It will grow in a pH ra…
Taxonomy
Many subspecies and strains of oregano have been developed by humans over centuries for their unique flavours or other characteristics. Tastes range from spicy or astringent to more complicated and sweet. Simple oregano sold in garden stores as Origanum vulgare may have a bland taste and larger, less-dense leaves, and is not considered the best for culinary use, with a taste less …
Uses
Oregano is a culinary herb, used for the flavour of its leaves, which can be more intense when dried than fresh. It has an earthy, warm, and slightly bitter taste, which can vary in intensity. Good-quality oregano may be strong enough almost to numb the tongue, but cultivars adapted to colder climates may have a lesser flavour. Factors such as climate, season, and soil composition may affect the aromatic oils present, and this effect may be greater than the differences between th…
Chemical components
Oregano contains polyphenols, including numerous flavones.
The essential oil of oregano is composed primarily of monoterpenoids and monoterpenes, with the relative concentration of each compound varying widely across geographic origin and other factors. Over 60 different compounds have been identified, with the primary ones being carvacrol and thymol ranging to over 80%, while lesser abundant compounds include p-cymene, γ-terpinene, …
Other plants called "oregano"
• Coleus amboinicus, known as Cuban oregano, orégano poleo ('pennyroyal oregano'), orégano francés ('French oregano'), Mexican mint, Mexican thyme, and many other names, is also of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It has large and somewhat succulent leaves. Common throughout the tropics, including Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, it is probably of eastern-hemisphere origin.
See also
• Thymus vulgaris, thyme