Oregano Home Remedies

Herb: OREGANO Origanum vulgare


When I think oregano, I think pizza, Italy and the Simpson's episode when Marge didn't think "Or-uh-gahn-o' was a real spice (Simpson's Chili Cook Off Episode). But oregano is used for more than just food, by more people than just Italians, and has very little to do with a sassy cartoon family.

Oregano is a close relative of marjoram (often called wild marjoram) and is savory herb with a powerful, peppery flavor. Oregano has been prescribed as a home remedy by both the ancient Greeks and Chinese. Hippocrates used the herb as an antiseptic and a cure for stomach and respiratory problems. In China, it was used to relieve fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice and even itchy skin. There are compounds found in oregano that help loosen phlegm in the lungs and relieve spasms in bronchial passages, therefore, it is an expectorant.

How can oregano be used as a home remedy?

• Digestion: Well, you have most likely already used it to cook with, but now you will know it will help aid in digestion and may help reduce heartburn. 
• Mood Lifter: Adding it to pizza or pasta dishes (anything really) will help lift your spirits. If you're feeling a little down in the dumps eating some oregano could help boost your happiness. You can even put some in a glass of water and drink it down. 
•  Brunette Hair Color: Not that you have grey hairs, but when you get some (years from now, of course) and if you have brown hair, then oregano is the herb for you. Oregano, sage, black tea, rosemary, and/or instant coffee. Pick one or a combination of the above, mix with boiling water, let steep for 30 minutes (not instant coffee though), let cool. Strain the water, pour over hair - try and catch the runoff in a bowl or basin so that you can repeat the rinse over and over until you get your desired color. 
• Nervous Stomach: Stomach all tied up in knots over something? A tea brewed with 1/4 tsp of oregano and 1/2 tsp of marjoram, steeped in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes should settle that feeling. If it doesn't work within two hours, go ahead and have another cup of the same tea - that should do the trick. 
• Toothache Relief: If you happen to be lucky enough to have a green thumb (surprisingly enough, I have been cursed with instant-plant-death-thumb) and you grow oregano in your garden you can chew the leaves for temporary relief for a toothache. 
• Wrinkles: I'm an essential oil cheerleader. I love them. If you do too and happen to have oregano oil, it is said to help prevent wrinkles. 

I hope you enjoy these and please let me know if you have any more ideas, suggestions or if you try one of them out. Cheers to oregano!

References:

www.herbworld.com/learningherbs

Healing Remedies, Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen ISBN 978-0-345-52150-7

Herbs (Eyewitness handbook), Lesley Bremness ISBN 1-56458-497-6