White Lotus Aromatics Newsletter - Oregano, August 1, 2001
NewsNeNwsNNewsletter Archive ewsl
Oregano
The light is preternatural
on the high plateau
though the temples and the game of ball
in Xochicalco
and goats and geese feed on the grasses
among the fallen stones that grow.
There are many beautiful places.
The light is also magical
in Delphi in the mists that come and go
---she on the three-legged stool
sniffing gasses from below
might well have spoken with Apollo---
and sheep are grazing on Parnassus
thyme and oregano.
There are many beautiful places.
But the light is common day and still
in the North Country here and now
where in the graveyard up the hill
my sister lies and I too
will maybe lie---who can know?---
and there are other empty spaces.
Robins hop to and fro.
There are many beautiful places.
Creator of the world, thank you.
My eyes are weak and I wear glasses,
I can witness even so
there are many beautiful places.
Paul Goodman, BALLADE OF BEAUTIFUL PLACES
Etymology-(Number 1)
The Greek name or’ganon might well contain —ros "mountain", and the verb ganožsthai
"delight in", because oregano prefers higher altitude in Mediterranean climate;
yet a pre-Greek or Semitic origin of or’ganum has also been discussed. A similar
motivation may lay behind Norwegian bergmynte "mountain mint" (oregano and mint
belong to the same plant family). http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Orig_vul.html
ETYMOLOGY:-(Number 2)
Spanish orŽgano, wild marjoram, from Latin organum, from Greek organon, probably
of North African origin http://www.bartleby.com/61/32/O0113200.html
ETYMOLOGY:-(Number 3)
From America English "oreo" referring to the popular cookie with white frosting
sandwiched between two chocolate biscuits, and "gano" a corrupted form of "gone"
which is used by little children when their mother asks them what happened to
all the oreo cookies that were in the cookie jar. They shrug their shoulders
and say- Oreo gone-o. Very small children simply say Ore-gano as their vocubulary
is more limited-
Etymological observations by Mr. Bear
Botanical Source.ÑOriganum vulgare, or Wild marjoram, is a perennial
herb, with erect, leafy, hairy, purple, quadrangular, corymbose stems, from
6 inches to 2 feet in height. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, broad-ovate,
obtuse, subserrate, hirsute, rounded at the base, green on both sides, sprinkled
with resinous dots, and paler beneath; the petioles hairy, and one-fourth as
long as the leaves. The flowers are numerous, purplish-white, in smooth, erect,
roundish, panicled, and fasciculate spikes, accompanied with ovate, purplish
bracts longer than the calyx. Calyx ovate-tubular, striated, with 5 nearly equal
teeth, and hairy in the throat. Corolla funnel-shaped, about the length of the
calyx, and slightly 2-lipped; upper lip suberect, flat, and emarginate, the
lower trifid, with lobes nearly equal. Stamens 4, exserted, somewhat didynamous,
with double anthers; stigma bifid and reflexed. Achenia dry and somewhat smooth
(G.ÑW.ÑL.). http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/origanum.html
Origanum vulgare subspecies hirtum - Greek Oregano, Wild Oregano. This is a
subspecies of the widespread wild oregano, and is found only in Greece, Turkey,
and the islands of the Aegean Sea (it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as
Origanum heracleoticum), and is the essential herb for pizza. Known as 'origini'
in Greece, it is only summer flowering heads that are dried and used. The flowers
are always white. The leaves are fuzzy, oval and somewhat coarse in relation
to the other species. The flavor is strong, austerely and hotly aromatic, penetrating
and slightly bitter. This is the strongest flavored 'oregano'. It is the species
used for extraction of essential oils, the dried foliage having around 3% of
oils, depending on growing conditions and seedling variability. The concentration
of oils is so high that lengthy handling of large amounts of the dried product
can cause irritation to sensitive skins.
Images of Oregano
http://www.dipbot.unict.it/orto/0674-1.html
great image of greek oregano
http://www.ecopharm.gr/R_c_or.html
images of commercial oregano cultivaton
http://www.ecopharm.gr/R_c_oil.html
good images of oregano distillaton
http://www.micropix.demon.co.uk/sem/plants/oils/ secretory trichome
Greek oregano
Ethnobotanical Uses
Edible Uses Condiment; Leaves.
Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb[5, 52, 183]. Oregano is an important
flavouring herb in Mediterranean cookery, and is often used dried rather than
fresh[238]. This sub-species has a much stronger flavour than the type[238].
The leaves are used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables and legumes,
and are frequently included in strongly flavoured dishes with chilis, garlic,
onions etc[2, 13, 21, 27, 183, 238]. A nutritional analysis is available[218].
Much of the commercially available dried oregano does not come from this plant
but from a number of different, often unrelated plants[238]. These include Lippia
graveolens, L. palmeri and Origanum syriacum[238]. A herb tea is made from the
dried leaves and flowering stems[183, 207, 238].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Carminative; Cholagogue; Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue;
Expectorant; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic. Oregano has been used as a culinary
and medicinal herb for thousands of years. It has a beneficial effect upon the
digestive and respiratory systems and is also used to promote menstruation[254].
It should not be used medicinally by pregnant women though it is perfectly safe
in small amounts for culinary purposes[254]. The leaves and flowering stems
are strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic,
emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic[4, 7, 9, 21,
254]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, mild
feverish illnesses, indigestion, stomach upsets and painful menstruation[238].
It is strongly sedative and should not be taken in large doses, though mild
teas have a soothing effect and aid restful sleep[244]. It should not be prescribed
for pregnant women[238]. Externally, oregano is used to treat bronchitis, asthma,
arthritis and muscular pain[238]. The plant can be used fresh or dried - harvest
the whole plant (but not the roots) in late summer to dry and store for winter
use[244]. Oregano is often used in the form of an essential oil that is distilled
from the flowering plant[4]. A few drops of the essential oil, put on cotton
wool and placed in the hollow of an aching tooth, frequently relieves the pain
of toothache[4, 207]. This plant is one of the best natural antiseptics because
of its high thymol content[7]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to
treat the same kinds of complaints that the herb is used for[238].
Other Uses
Dye; Essential; Ground cover; Repellent.
An essential oil from the plant is used as a food flavouring, in soaps and perfumery[115,
171]. A red or purple dye is obtained from the flowering tops[4, 7, 13, 100],
it is neither brilliant nor durable[115]. The plant repels ants[46]. A useful
ground cover for sunny positions, forming a slowly spreading clump[197, K].
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Origanum+vulgare+hirtum
Other_info Ethnobotany Use
Ache(Ear) Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Alopecia Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Bronchitis Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Carminative Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Cold Origanum vulgare India
Colic Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Diaphoretic Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Diarrhea Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Emmenagogue Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Emmenagogueue Origanum vulgare Mexico
Fever Origanum vulgare China
Fever Origanum vulgare India
Flu Origanum vulgare India
Itch Origanum vulgare China
Jaundice Origanum vulgare China
Nausea Origanum vulgare China
Pertussis Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Rheumatism Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Sedative Origanum vulgare Mexico
Skin Origanum vulgare China
Stimulant Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Stimulant Origanum vulgare Mexico
Stomachic Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Tonic Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Toothhache Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Wound Origanum vulgare Elsewhere
Carminative Origanum vulgare Turkey
Diuretic Origanum vulgare Turkey
Emmenagogueue Origanum vulgare Turkey
Liniment Origanum vulgare Turkey
Nervine Origanum vulgare Turkey
Pectoral Origanum vulgare Turkey
Purgative Origanum vulgare Turkey
Rubefacient Origanum vulgare Turkey
Spasm Origanum vulgare Turkey
Stimulant Origanum vulgare Turkey
Stomachic Origanum vulgare Turkey
Stupefacient Origanum vulgare Turkey
Sudorific Origanum vulgare Turkey
Tonic Origanum vulgare Turkey
Catarrh Origanum vulgare Haiti
Digestive Origanum vulgare Haiti
Pectoral Origanum vulgare Haiti
Snuff Origanum vulgare Haiti
Tea Origanum vulgare Haiti
Cancer Origanum vulgare Europe
Decongestant Origanum vulgare Dominican Republic
Rheumatism Origanum vulgare Dominican Republic
Tonic Origanum vulgare Spain
Tumor Origanum vulgare Venezuela
Anodyne Origanum vulgare Europe
Intestine Origanum vulgare Europe
Repellant(Ant) Origanum vulgare Europe
Respiratory Origanum vulgare Europe
Spice Origanum vulgare Europe
Toothhache Origanum vulgare Europe
Stupefacient Origanum vulgare Iraq
Liniment Origanum vulgare Iraq
http://ars-genome.cornell.edu:80/cgi-bin/WebAce/webace?seme=2&db=ethnobotdb&class=Taxon&object=
Origanum%20vulgare
Greek Oregano/Origanum vulgare subspecies hirtum Essential Oil
Physical description-pale yellow mobile oil
Olfactory description-extremely powerful, penetrating punguent dry green
herbaceous-medicinal odor top and heart notes. This is an oil that not only
impacts ones nasal passages with a strong tingling sensation but seems to pass
into the throat zone with similar effect. This is not an oil for the timid.
It seems to clear out anything in its path leaving only its own powerful resonating
vibration. Tenacious dryout preserving many of the characteristics of the top
and heart notes with somewhat reduced intensity
Perfumery uses-"Trace amounts of origanum oil are useful for topnote
effects in citrus colognes, fougeres, forest notes, chypres, lavender colognes,
spicy -herbaceous after-shave fragrances and lotions,etc..."Stephen Arctander
GC Analysis Greek Oregano/Origanum vulgare subspecies hirtum or Origanum
heracleoticum Essential Oil EcoCert Organic/France
a-thujene 0.63
Description: Colorless or almost colorless liquid with a menthol- like odor
a-pinene 0.65
Fresh Sweet Pine Earthy Woody
beta pinene 0.34
Sweet Fresh Pine Woody Hay Green
myrcene 2.16
Fresh Peppery Terpy Spicy Balsam Plastic
limonene 0.43
Lemon Citrus Citral Fresh Sweet gamma
terpinene 8.71
Oily Woody Terpy Lemon/lime Tropical Herbal
para cymene 8.75 Fresh Citrus
linalol 2.17
terpinene-4-ol 0.76
carvacrol 67.85
penetration, dry-medicinal herbaceious odour with a spicy undertone
beta-phellandrene 0.27
One of the main constituents of Greek Oregano is carvacrol. Here is the scientific
data on this one isolate-
Biological Activities of CARVACROL Allergenic; M&R240; Anesthetic; Anthelminthic;
JBH; Antialzheimeran?; LGR; Antiatherosclerotic; IC50=5.53 uM; JAF45:578; Antibacterial;
MIC 170-290; PMP25:184; Antibacterial; MIC=39-625; 450; Anticholinesterase?;
LGR; Antidiuretic; LRN-MAR92; Antiinflammatory; IC50=4 uM; Antimelanomic; IC50=120
uM/l; JN127:668; Antioxidant; JEO5:153; Antioxidant (LDL); IC50=5.53 uM; JAF45:578;
Antiplaque; MIC=39-625 ug/ml; 451; Antiprostaglandin; Antiradicular; 600 x thymol;
JEO5:153; Antiseptic; 1.5 x phenol; M11 JBH; Antispasmodic; CAN 411; Antitussive;
CAN; Candidicide; 100-150 ug/ml; JE58:143; Candidicide; MIC<0.1 ug/ml; JAN47(4);
Carminative; LAF; Cyclooxygenase-Inhibitor; =indomethacin; DFN:161; Enterorelaxant;
JAR4:22; Expectorant; LAF; FLavor; FEMA 10-125; ARC; Fungicide; JBH; Irritant;
LAF; Nematicide; MLC=1 mg/ml; M11 SZ44:183; Pesticide; Tracheorelaxant; Trichomonicide;
LD100=150 ug/ml; FT67:279; Vermifuge;
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/chem-activities.pl
http://147.46.94.112/journal/sej/full/p0520_520415.pdf
superb detailed report on cultivars and chemotypes of the Origanum genus
"Excellent Herbs had our fathers of old-- Excellent herbs to ease their pain--
Alexanders and Marigold, Eyebright, Orris and Elecampane,
Basil, Rocket, Valerian, Rue, (Almost singing themselves they run)
Vervain Dittany, Call-me-to you-- Cowslip Melilot, Rose of the Sun.
Anything green that grew out of the mould Was an excellent herb to our fathers
of old.
Wonderful tales had our fathers of old-- Wonderful tales of the herbs and the
stars--
The Sun was Lord of the Marigold, Basil and Rocket belonged to Mars.
Pat as a sum in division it goes-- (Every plant had a star bespoke)--
Who but Venus should govern the Rose? Who but Jupiter own the Oak?
Simply and gravely the facts are told In the wonderful books of our fathers
of old."
Kipling, from "Our Fathers of Old"