All About Oregano | Know Your Spice Sathra or Ajwain Ki Patti (Origanum vulgare)

Oregano, also called Origanum or Wild Marjoram, is a perennial herb with creeping roots, 30-90 cm high, branched woody stems and opposite, petiolate and hairy leaves (1.5 cm long).

Its flowers are pale purple and the flowering period extends from late June to August. Each flower produces four small structures.

The foliage is dotted with small glands containing the volatile oil, which gives the plant its aroma and colour.

Several species of genus Origanum are native to the Medi­terranean, all of which are traded as a spice.

Oregano is said to have a ‘balsamic’ flavour; a combination of mint (a closely related herb), thyme, and rosemary. The taste is strong and somewhat bitter.

Oregano was popular in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome as a flavoring for vegetables, wines, meats, and fish. According to Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite created oregano as a symbol of happiness.

The Greeks employed oregano in marriage ceremonies to provide joy and in funeral services to provide peace to the departed.

The Greek physician Hippocrates (460-370 BC) used oregano for antiseptic purposes and to protect against respiratory ailments and gastrointestinal distress.

Medieval Europeans would chew on oregano leaves to alleviate rheumatism, toothache, indigestion, and cough.

During this time, Oregano also made the journey to China. It was also used for medicinal purposes in this region. The Chinese people believed it helped with fever, vomiting and upset stomach.

During the Elizabethan era, oregano was used for just about anything. It was used to encourage good luck and good health.

It was used in spells for happiness, tranquility, luck, health, protection and letting go of a loved one. It was also worn during sleeping to give one psychic dreams.

Oregano was not widely used in the United States until after the Second World War.  Soldiers discovered the herb during the Italian Campaign and brought it back to the US.

• Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare)– True oregano, excellent flavour, hardy.
• Syrian Oregano (Oregano maru) – Strong, spicy flavour.
• Turkestan Oregano (Oregano tyttanthum) – Strong flavour, robust plant, good for indoor culture.
• Hopley’s Purple Oregano (Origanum laevigatum) – Purple-green foliage, compact, mild flavor.
• Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) – Good oregano flavour used for chili and Mexican dishes.

• As a culinary spice, oregano’s strong, pungent flavor and aroma has added to the human enjoyment of many foods
• It has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and is used in traditional medicine.
• Oregano is considered an indispensable ingredient for Greek cuisine.
• Oregano is high in antioxidant activity, due to a high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids.
• Oregano leaves are a good source of iron, manganese, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, it is a general immune booster.
• Unsweetened Oregano tea is used as mouthwash, while chewing few leaves of Oregano thrice a day, can help in relief from menstrual cramps.

The fresh oregano leaves are peppery and assertive—sometimes even bitter or astringent. It is a pungent herb with bitter, grassy flavors and a trace of mint.

Used correctly, oregano will not overpower your food, but rather complement and enhance the flavours within any dish.

Fresh oregano lasts about five to seven days, while dry oregano leaves last about two to three years.

Store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you place a slightly damp paper towel in the bag with the oregano and leave some air in the bag, it may extend the life up to one week.

Store the dried oregano in an airtight container for maximum freshness. It should last for 2-3 years.

• Use equal parts of fresh or dried basil for fresh or dried oregano.
• Fresh thyme and oregano not only  look similar, they also have a similar flavour when fresh.
• Use Italian seasoning you have saved up from pizza deliveries.
• Marjoram has a similar flavour to oregano. They belong to the same family.

The herb can be found fresh or in dried and powdered form from local markets and specialty grocers, and in dried form through supermarkets and online retailers.

If buying online try amazon here.

The following are health benefits of Oregano Spice (Origanum vulgare) or Ajwain Ki Patti (Sathra)

• Health Benefits of Oregano as an Antioxidant – Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that help protect cells against damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals.
• Health Benefits of Ajwain Ki Patti (Sathra) for Heart Health – Oregano is the natural form of omega-3 fatty acids that improves heart health. These acids balances the cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation in the cardiovascular system that prevents heart attacks, heart strokes, and atherosclerosis.
• Health Benefits of Ajwain Ki Patti (Sathra) as an Anti-inflammatory Agent – Oregano is filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that includes essential compounds that are known for anti-inflammatory abilities.
• Health Benefits of Oregano as an Antimicrobial Agent – Extracts and oils from the Ajwain Ki Patti (Sathra) plant show moderate antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
• Health Benefits of Origanum vulgare for Digestion – Oregano essential oil is a heating carminative oil that aids in increasing the pitta flow and promotes quicker digestion.
• Health Benefits of Oregano against Cancer – The University of Arizona research and the study by the Long Island University have proved that Oregano essential oil has antioxidant and anti-cancerous properties that fights against many types of human cancers.
• Health Benefits of Origanum vulgare for Bone Health – Iron, manganese, and calcium are the most important minerals for maintaining the bone health and oregano has a significant amount of all these minerals which makes it great for those people who want to protect themselves against osteoporosis in later stages of life.
• Health Benefits of Oreganoas an Immunity Booster – Oregano leaves are a good source of iron, manganese, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, it is a general immune booster.
• Health Benefits of Oregano for Respiration – As Oregano essential oil has warming effect, it can assist the body when it is cold and treat problems like cold, sinusitis, headache, mucous congestion, whooping cough, pneumonia and other respiratory infections.