Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Dried leaves of Origanum vulgare, Oregano, the iconic Mediterranean culinary herb and traditional aromatic. The Greek name "oros ganos" translates as "joy of the mountain" - reflecting the herb's habit of growing on dry rocky Mediterranean hillsides. Oregano is essential to Italian, Greek, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines, and has substantial traditional aromatic use beyond cooking.

Key Facts

Botanical name

Origanum vulgare

Family

Lamiaceae (mint family)

Native region

Mediterranean basin and Western Asia

Name origin

Greek "oros ganos" - "joy of the mountain"

Aromatic compounds

Carvacrol, thymol (variable by chemotype)

Common uses

Italian, Greek, Mexican, Middle Eastern cooking; traditional aromatic herb

Distinct from

Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) - different family, similar flavor

What is Oregano?

Oregano is a small perennial herb in the mint family, native to dry rocky Mediterranean hillsides. The herb is essential to Mediterranean cuisine - Italian pizza and pasta, Greek salads and roasted vegetables, Spanish stews, and many other dishes. Several different oregano chemotypes exist with different proportions of carvacrol, thymol, and other aromatic compounds; "Greek oregano" (the most prized culinary form) is typically high in carvacrol.

Mediterranean Oregano vs Mexican Oregano

"Mexican oregano" (Lippia graveolens) is a completely different plant in a different family that happens to have a similar flavor profile. Both are used in Mexican cooking; true Mediterranean oregano is the herb associated with Italian and Greek cooking.

How to Use Oregano

Cooking: pizza, pasta sauce, Greek salad, marinades, roasted vegetables, Mediterranean stews. Tea: steep 1 teaspoon per 8 oz hot water for 5-10 minutes. Tincture: alcohol extracts the aromatic compounds. Oregano oil (different from culinary oregano): a concentrated essential oil with carvacrol-rich profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dishes use oregano?
Pizza, pasta sauce, Greek salad, marinades, roasted vegetables, Mediterranean stews.

What's the difference between Mediterranean and Mexican oregano?
Different plants in different families with similar flavor. Both are used in Mexican cuisine; Mediterranean is the herb of Italian and Greek cooking.

What's carvacrol?
The primary aromatic compound in oregano with well-studied traditional antimicrobial properties.

Is oregano safe daily?
Yes in culinary amounts; well-tolerated.

What's the difference between oregano herb and oregano oil?
Oregano oil is the concentrated essential oil - vastly more potent than the dried herb. Always dilute oregano oil before topical use.

Why is it called "joy of the mountain"?
The Greek name "oros ganos" reflects the herb's habit of growing on dry rocky Mediterranean hillsides.

This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.