Simple Herbs to Use for Food and Medicine

Oregano
Origanum vulga
​Lamiaceae Family

Oregano is related to the herb marjoram sometimes referred to as wild marjoram. It is a perennial herb,with creeping roots, sending up woody stems about a foot high, branched above, often purplish. 
​The name Origanum is derived from two Greek words oros (mountain) and ganos (joy). 
The leaves are opposite, petiolate, about an inch long, nearly entirely hairy beneath. This is the wild variety. When cultivated, the leaves are more elliptical in shape than the wild marjoram, and the flower-spikes are thinner and more compact. The whole plant has a strong, fragrant, balsamic odor and a warm, bitterish, spicy, aromatic taste, both of which properties are preserved when the herb is dry. Two percent (2%) of this plant is made up of its essential oil, so it is rightly used for its very particular and unique flavor.

Medicinal Properties:
Oregano properties are very similar to those of all mint family plants: helps increase digestion,relieve gas pain, and is a nervine (soothing to the nervous system).
— The cultivated herb is used as the culinary spice but can be used for medicinal           remedies as well.
— has a vast history of medicinal uses, more so than for its culinary purposes
— anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-septic
— diaphoretic, stimulant used to bring on stalled menses 
— used as a tea for colds and flus
— used topically and internally to fight infections, especially toothaches, ear infections
— oregano oil is used topically on the skin for sore throat, ear infections, on the temples for headaches
— can be used in a steam to breathe in to help with a cough, ear infection, sore throat, blocked sinus, and also used in a vaginal steam for vaginitis and bladder infections.
I like to use Oreganol Super Strength P73 oil for topical applications. This is very strong and should be used with caution and diluted.
— the oil also helps ease the pain of said infections of the throat and ears

​Oregano Tea
1 tbsp dried oregano
8 oz boiling water
Cover and let sit about 15 minutes before drinking.

Oregano Tea for the Bath
1 large handful of dried herb about a half cup
1 large soup pot of boiling water

Throw dried herb loose into the boiling water and cover immediately. Turn the temperature down to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Let it sit another 5 minutes and strain the tea into your bath water. Please mix the water before getting into the tub to prevent burning yourself. Drink oregano tea while in the tub. Make sure to sit in the tub for 20 minutes in order to re-moisturize the skin so the tea can be absorbed into the body. Drinking the tea while taking a bath in an infusion of the plant is extremely relaxing to sore muscles. You can do this to ease the ache of the flu.

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