Oregano
Oreganum vulgare

 

Oregano is a perennial plant, on average 30-90 cm tall. The plant begins to bloom in July and until September. Oregano seeds begin to ripen in August.

The plant begins to be harvested in mass at the beginning of flowering, later the plant loses some of its valuable properties. Collect the leafy tops of the plant, 15-30 cm long, in hay bundles and hang them in a shady and well-ventilated room to dry. It can also be dried in forced dryers not exceeding 35-40C. Dried plant stems are cleaned of leaves and flowers - the stems are not used in drugs. Oregano is collected in the same stand once every 2 years.

Essential oils up to 1.2% have been found in Oregano, the main substance of which is thymol (40%), cymol, carvacrol, sesquiterpenes, geranyl acetate, selinene, alpha thujone, alpha terpinene.

The plant also contains flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin, 7-glucuronide, luteolin-7-glucoside, isoroifolin, cosmosin; ascorbic acid and tannins up to 19%, macro- and micronutrients, seeds contain up to 28% vegetable fat.

Medicinal significance

Oregano promotes expectoration, has choleretic, diuretic and sedative effects. Has a sedative effect on the CNS. The essential oils contained in the rudena enhance the secretion of the digestive and bronchial glands. Stimulates peristalsis and increases the tone of the intestinal tract.

Water and alcohol infusions of the plant have strong antibacterial properties. The thymol present in the essential oil has a powerful effect as an antiviral and antimicrobial agent. Therefore, rhubarb is an excellent means of combating pathogenic microorganisms.

In folk medicine, this plant is also used as an expectorant, diaphoretic agent for colds, to treat a sore throat, to increase the content of gastric juice, as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic and hemostatic agent.

Oregano has been used for centuries as a mild sedative and sedative, especially for children. Water infusions of the plant are used to normalize the condition of infants during illness, as well as to make life easier for women in the climatic period.

Oregano is used to increase the separation of bile, as well as for stomach and intestinal spasms, vomiting, headaches and disturbed menstrual cycles.

The findings were also used in the case of nervous system disorders and epilepsy.

A fresh plant can also be applied to compresses on the skin to promote the absorption of various pimples.

Oregano is a powerful herb, so it should also be used with care. There are people for whom preparations containing Oregano are categorically prohibited.

For men

Oregano is a plant that is used if a person is too sexually aroused, the plant will help to be calmer. Pollution is also reduced by regularly using rudeni. The plant is also successfully used to treat impotence, prostatitis, prostate adenoma. Reduce premature ejaculation and improve erection quality.

Not recommended for use

Oregano should not be used during pregnancy (may cause uterine bleeding and abortion), cardiovascular disease, gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice, colitis, liver disease and gall bladder diseases.

Oregano is also not recommended for long-term use by men, as it can reduce potency!

Importance of food

The dried plant is mainly used in food as a spice. You already noticed the Latin name and know what this spice is. But for a fresh plant, I'd say the flavor is even more interesting.

Oregano is excellent in dishes with tomatoes, cheese, other vegetables, especially beans, as well as with fish and meat. Oregano can also be added to pickles - cucumber and cabbage.

Oregano is collected at the very beginning of flowering, cutting its tops to a length of 20 cm. After drying, the stems are separated and stored hermetically for up to 3 years (for food purposes).