Oregano has long been known for its beneficial properties around the world. Oregano has a different name, depending on the place of growth. So, in Italy, this fragrant herb is called oregano. Oregano and oregano are one and the same, only they are used in different ways. In our region, it is known, first of all, for the mass of useful and medicinal properties, in Italy it is a popular seasoning, without which no meat dish can do. Oregano ordinary in a different way, as they say, few know. Among the people, as well as healers and healers, it is called differently: motherboard, upland bone-breaking grass, forest mint, ear flower, amulet, bee-lover, dushanka, spirit flower.

Description and distribution of oregano

Oregano vulgaris is a perennial plant, with a rather bright and rich aroma, reminiscent of thyme, the family is labiate (lamb). The height of an adult bush can reach 70-80 cm, the trunk is straight, branched, with a small amount of "cannon". The leaves are oval with a pointed tip. From above, the leaf has a bright saturated shade, from below the green color is more muted. Grows in the form of a large, dense, dense, spreading bush. It begins to bloom from early July to September. At the end of the flowering period, small seeds appear (no more than 2-3 mm in diameter) of a dark color.

Oregano ordinary

Its flower is small in size, purple with the addition of pink. The heartwood can be all shades of pink or white, depending on the variety. During the flowering period, oregano looks beautiful, like a decorative home bush. Oregano or oregano is loved by bees during pollination. It is very melliferous - from 100 acres of bees collect up to several hundred kg of honey.

Wherever oregano grows, its distribution is enormous. The Mediterranean countries are considered its homeland. But today it grows almost all over the world. It is widely used for medicinal purposes and culinary purposes in Mexico City, the USA, almost all European countries, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and, of course, Russia. Today it grows in the Moscow region and even in Siberia.

Oregano is a rather unpretentious spicy herb that has adapted to various climatic conditions, which can be found both in “wild” places: on forest edges, roadsides, glades, between bushes, and on personal plots. Residents of urban areas can see it by visiting the botanical garden. She deservedly won universal love and respect, since the area of ​​application of oregano is huge. This spicy herb gives tea a rich bright aroma, has a lot of useful properties, is actively used in cosmetology, medicinal purposes, not a single Italian recipe for a meat dish is complete without it. But it also has some contraindications that must be studied before use.

The height of the bushes of some varieties of oregano can reach 80 cm

Oregano varieties

Oregano - planting and care in the open field

Depending on the area of ​​distribution, several varieties of oregano can be distinguished, which have medicinal and useful properties:

  • Oregano, its descriptions indicate the presence of reddish stems, green leaves in length, can reach up to 4 cm, pink flowers, no more than a couple of mm in diameter. It grows in the wild on the territory of Russia.It is very unpretentious to different weather conditions, has excellent winter-hardy properties, has a good healing effect;
  • Marjoram grows in European countries and in the Middle East, the stem is gray-green, white or pink flowers, collected in large inflorescences, are used in the culinary field;
  • Greek, got another name Cretan, because it grows only on the island of Crete, leaves of the correct rounded shape with a "fluff", reaches a height of only 25-30 cm, is characterized by a bright rich aroma, is used in cooking, as it leaves an interesting spicy aftertaste;
  • Golden oregano herb is characterized by bright green leaves, the aroma is weak, barely perceptible;
  • Small-leaved is characterized not only by small inflorescences, but also by leaves. Has a mild and fresh flavor, is used for culinary purposes, grows in the Mediterranean;
  • The Turkish (Kyrgyz) motherboard is distinguished by the presence of a bright burgundy stem, the taste is softer, there is no pungency, and there are fruity notes. Used in cooking, has a medicinal effect, grows in the Mediterranean;
  • Syrian oregano is common in the Middle East, used as a seasoning, has a pungent spicy aroma;
  • The Mexican oregano plant is grown in Mexico and is used for culinary purposes, as it has a very bright rich taste and aroma with peppercorns. A distinctive feature are serrated leaves and white flowers;
  • Cuban has a bright peppery aroma and taste, is used in cooking, grows in Cuba;
  • Asking the question, what is the oregano plant, one more species can be distinguished - decorative oregano, which is grown on the territory of Russia and the CIS countries and serves as an adornment of any garden bed.

Based on the main varieties of oregano, its main features can be distinguished: spicy, tart, sometimes peppery taste; intense, bright, sometimes sweetish aroma (fresh), dry aroma has some bitterness; leaf color changes from bright green to pale green; flowers can be of all shades of pink, purple and white.

Today, several dozen varieties of oregano are known.

Properties

Parsley - what is it and what it looks like

If we describe the main properties of the oregano plant, two directions can be distinguished: cooking and use for medicinal purposes. And in one and the other areas, this spicy herb has the most beneficial effect on human health, in addition it has an excellent taste and aroma, subject to admission standards and contraindications.

Despite the fact that oregano is a herb, it is high in calories. 100 g dry herbs contain 306 kcal. But at the same time, it is very rich in carbohydrates (about 22 grams), fats (about 10 grams), proteins (about 10-11 grams).

According to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Oregano herb standards from the collection of the Pharmacopoeia are regulated by the State Pharmacopoeia in Article No. 55. The trade name Nerba origani is assigned. It contains B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B9), Beta-carotene, vitamin C, E, K, PP, Choline, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium, Copper.

The benefits of this herb are really huge, the science of pharmacognosy identifies a number of useful properties:

  • helps to normalize appetite and digestion;
  • fights diseases of the bronchi, having an expectorant effect;
  • used as a laxative;
  • regulates the body's metabolism;
  • used in some cases as a pain reliever;
  • has anti-inflammatory and disinfecting properties;
  • in some cases, it is used as a sedative and relaxing agent, a desire to live appears;
  • has a hemostatic effect;
  • promotes weight loss by removing excess fluid from the body;
  • used as a sleeping pill;
  • in some cases used to treat mental disorders;
  • reduces the increased tone of the uterus, during the period of delay in menstruation;
  • promotes increased lactation during breastfeeding.

The use of oregano is also huge and multifaceted. At home, the rich aroma of oregano repels moths. In cosmetology, oregano is added to essential oils, as a perfume for soap and shower gel, for medicinal purposes it is used in the production of creams, masks, essential oils, etc.

Adding oregano to tea contributes to the appearance of a rich aroma, a healing effect appears, daily use of oregano infusions (pour 2-3 tablespoons of oregano with boiling water, insist to take 1 glass every morning on an empty stomach) for 2-3 weeks will ensure a healthy complexion.

Oregano tea is not only tasty, but also healthy

Dried oregano is used in cooking for baking, meat dishes, sauces, and pickles for the winter.

The motherboard gives a very useful effect when taking baths, it helps to cope with itchy rash, scrofula, boils, various purulent inflammations.

Today, oregano is commercially available and can be purchased without a prescription at the pharmacy. It is realized in the form of crushed raw materials (crushed pieces of leaves, inflorescences, stems), powder (leaves, inflorescences, stems crushed to a powdery state). Or you can purchase a ready-made collection of herbs (breast collection No. 1, sedative collection No. 2, sweatshop collection No. 3, the price varies from 60 to 100 rubles. RF). You can dry it yourself.

You can make your own breast collection to help with many types of coughs. To do this, you need marshmallow root from a ratio of 2 parts, oregano from a ratio of 1 part, coltsfoot from a ratio of 2 parts. Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Insist 2-3 hours, drain. Consume during the day before meals.

Chest fee number 1

Contraindications

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Along with the mass of useful properties, it is strictly forbidden to treat everyone with oregano. There are a number of contraindications, non-observance of which can cause significant harm to the human body:

  1. First of all, oregano is contraindicated in pregnancy. This female herb, which is very useful for the female body, but it contributes to the contraction of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage during pregnancy;
  2. Heart patients who have impaired cardiac activity and have problems with blood vessels should refrain from using it;
  3. According to studies, this herb is not recommended for men for a long time, as it can significantly reduce sexual desire;
  4. The use of infusion or as a seasoning is contraindicated in the presence of increased acidity of the stomach, stomach ulcers and a number of other intestinal diseases, since the transition of the disease to a more acute form may be observed;
  5. With hypertension and frequent pressure surges, the use of oregano is prohibited, as it increases blood pressure;
  6. With renal, intestinal and hepatic colic, it is recommended to refuse or significantly limit the use of oregano.

As you can see, oregano can not only help, but also cause significant harm to health. Before using it, you should initially familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

Pregnant women are contraindicated in the use of oregano

Pest control

Oregano is a rather unpretentious plant that is easy to grow on your own. Cultivation includes a standard sequence of actions: planting, care, pest control.

Planting is carried out in open ground with seeds, in a well-lit place, using the standard method. At first, the seed needs to be watered frequently and abundantly, as well as fertilized with mineral fertilizers.

Oregano is rarely subject to disease and pest infestation. Pest control should be given special attention, since when using herbs for medicinal purposes in the form of infusions and teas, chemical preparations cannot be used.

Most often, oregano is affected by aphids and mites. There are several ways to deal with them:

  • The shoots of the plant are abundantly treated with soapy water using pullers. To do this, take laundry soap (you should not take soap with fragrances), ½ piece is rubbed on a grater, poured with 5 liters of water.All stems and leaves of the plant culture are treated with the resulting soapy solution. The procedure is carried out before the flowering period;
  • In another case, garlic tops are used. For 1 kg of tops, 5 liters of water are taken, cook for about an hour. The resulting liquid is infused for a day. All affected areas are generously sprayed;
  • The bitter weed, which is collected during the flowering period (in July and August), helps well against ticks. Pour 1 kg of grass with a bucket of water, put on fire, after boiling, cook for about 30 minutes. Cool, strain, treat the affected areas of the plant abundantly;
  • In the fight against ticks and aphids, the following herbal infusion will help: 400 gr. dandelion flowers, 300 gr. roots of horse sorrel. Pour in a bucket of hot water. Insist 2-3 hours. Process the stem and leaves of the oregano with the resulting solution.

As you can see, caring for oregano does not take much time and effort. As a result, this herb will delight you not only with the rich aroma of a freshly baked tea pie, but also help to cope with a number of diseases. The main thing is not to neglect contraindications and use it in moderation.

You can grow oregano yourself

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