Mountain of joy

Oregano. What’s not to love? European oregano (Origanum vulgare), also known as common oregano or wild marjoram, is an aromatic perennial herb here in Colorado. The name hails from two Greek words – oros meaning mountain and ganos meaning joy. In an online article, an extension agent with the University of Arizona said the term meant mountain of joy, so I adopted it for our title today.

We all know that oregano is used in a lot of Italian recipes, but did you know that it was used to flavor ale and beer? According to Purdue University’s Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Index, European oregano was an ingredient in beer before they started using hops.

Also on this very informative online index, we discover that European oregano has traditionally been used to relieve flatulence, increase sweating, loosen mucus, aid in digestion and improve overall wellbeing. For the technical medical jargon and further reading: https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/OREGANO.html.

This same website states “origanum oil is a powerful disinfectant” with antifungal and antiparasitic properties.

The online biomedical library at UCLA states that oregano ranks up there with garlic and onions as a potent antibacterial and antifungal agent.

And if that’s not enough to convince you to plant some European oregano, the Sam W. Hitt Medicinal Plant Gardens at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill website states this plant is “known to treat common colds and flu”.

Are you onboard yet? Not only does this plant add some amazing flavor to our food, it also attracts pollinators, is a beautiful addition to any garden, and has some wonderful potential medicinal qualities.

Oregano is easy to grow. It likes full sun and average well-draining soil. I plant oregano everywhere. It’s easy to divide in the spring. I put little clumps of it in my vegetable garden to attract pollinators to the area. It grows to about three feet at my house and is always covered with bees. I even saw a hummingbird there the other day.

Try oregano in sauces, soups, vegetables, bread or a cup of tea. For quick and easy marinara for pasta or pizza, heat one – 16 ounce can of tomato sauce and add one teaspoon each of basil, oregano, and garlic. Salt and pepper to taste.

The honey bees must think oregano is something special. I intentionally let my oregano flower, because it makes me smile and warms my heart to see all those little busy bees at work.

Who couldn’t use a little “mountain of joy” in their lives?

Kelley Rawlsky has an M.S. in horticulture and is the director of Bringing People and Plants Together, an organization dedicated to bringing horticulture education and therapy to the community. For more information: PeopleAndPlantsTogether@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.

Article originally published in Broomfield Enterprise - July 30, 2017