Native and spontaneous to Northern Africa, temperate and tropical Asia and Europe, Oregano is now cultivated everywhere and in many areas it has become naturalized and it is possible to find it spontaneously in stony, arid and sunny places, even in North America where it is arrived with the first settlers.
The properties of Oregano
Some properties that are attributed to Oregano preparations are analgesic, expectorant, digestive, peptic, stimulant, stomachic and tonic; In times gone by, essential oil was considered a valid remedy against tooth decay.
The flowering tops of Oregano macerated in cologne refresh and tone the skin; in bath and foot bath water they have beneficial relaxing and deodorant effects.
With Oregano and other herbs you can prepare an effective rub against hair loss.
Oregano in the kitchen
Thinking of oregano, the first culinary preparation that comes to mind is certainly Neapolitan pizza, without forgetting the Sanremo sardenaira.
The aroma of oregano, one of the so-called herbes de Provence, is indispensable in tomato, potato and vegetable salads, in particular the classic Ligurian condigiun and caprese; in Hungarian goulash and pizzaiola meat; in soups; in some sauces; on potatoes and eggs with butter; I boiled the cod and octopus; on anchovies (hence the name Acciughero)...
With a few grams of oregano you can prepare an aromatic aperitif and digestive wine.
Oregano on the balcony and in the garden
Lively herbaceous plant of very easy cultivation that prefers sunny exposures, with small white or pink flowers gathered in a panicle inflorescence, flowering from July to September, Oregano is excellent in the garden for thick and fragrant borders that are not too high, in pots on the terrace and also at home in a small vase, to have it handy in the kitchen.
There are several varieties, very decorative, with yellow (Aureum) or green leaves speckled with white (Polyphant), a variety with white flowers (Album) and two no taller than about twenty centimeters.
Characteristics of the plant
- Prefers sunny exposures
- It tolerates not too intense cold
- Prefers a medium moisture content