Useful information on oregano and ideas on how to use in cooking.

Oregano is a herb that is particularly popular in Italian cooking, where it can be added to almost every dish possible.

It was originally found growing in Asia, but is now widely cultivated in Europe. It is very closely related to sweet marjoram, which is why many people know oregano to be otherwise named wild marjoram.

Oregano or wild marjoram has not been around for as long as some of the other popular herbs, and before becoming a favourite ingredient in a number of European cuisines, oregano was traditionally used in the Middle Ages as a medicine, primarily to treat coughs and colds and to aid digestion.

Vitamin and mineral content of oregano

All herbs contain a number of vitamins and minerals and oregano is no exception. It is a particularly good source of iron, manganese and Vitamin K, as well as Vitamins A and C and calcium.

Health benefits of oregano

Oregano is well known for its digestive properties and therefore is it useful to combine with foods that are difficult to digest or that give wind, for example pulses, beans, salad vegetables and members of the cabbage family (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnip and kale).

Other health benefits of oregano include:

Oregano can aid insomnia.
It can relieve migraines.
It helps clear coughs, colds and symptoms of flu.
It is good for mouth disorders, particularly inflamed gums and a sore throat.
It can aid the release of mucous from the lungs.
It has been said to strengthen the stomach and increase appetite.
It has been proven to act as a very good antioxidant, even better than apples, blueberries and citrus fruits.

Buying and storing oregano

Fresh oregano can be bought from your local supermarket and will last for several days in the refrigerator.

It should be stored in a plastic bag if already chopped and wrapped in a damp paper towel.

Oregano is one of the herbs that dry really well, retaining its flavour, as well as all of the nutrients.

Ideas for cooking with oregano

If you are preparing any Italian or Greek style dishes, always add a sprinkling of oregano, which will give a delicious, strong herby flavour. Other ideas are:

Sprinkle on top of your favourite pizza.
Add to all Italian pasta sauces, such as bolognaise.
Add to a tomato, onion and olive oil salad.
Add to Greek salad.
Sprinkle on top of poultry, meat and fish before roasting.
Use in stuffing.
Add to stir-fries during cooking.
Sprinkle over roasting vegetables.
Add to lentils, beans and other pulses to aid digestion.
Sprinkle onto garlic bread.
Add to omelettes.
Add to salad dressings.
Include in marinades.
Add to homemade beef burger or meatball mixtures.

Oregano Recipes

A collection of recipes that use fresh oregano including beef and onion stew, carrot and oregano salad and spaghetti with anchovy and pesto sauce.

Carrot and oregano salad

This is a refreshing salad for a hot summer's day, although there is nothing stopping you from enjoying it all year round. Half of the carrot may be substituted for celeriac....

Spaghetti with anchovy and pesto sauce

Spaghetti served with a delicious sauce of anchovy and pesto is a classic combination. The anchovy is salty and combines well with the sweet and rich flavours found in the pesto sauce. Together with Parmesan and olive oil, it has everything found in