COMMON NAME: Oregano, Wild Marjoram, Origanum, True Oregano

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Origanum vulgare

FAMILY NAME: Lamiaceae (Mint)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Europe

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: France, Italy, Bulgaria, Russia

HISTORY INFORMATION: Oregano is an ancient medicinal and culinary herb. There is confusion over this herb and many different plants are called Oregano. Be very careful when referring to guides or other books on the uses of Oregano. Make sure you check the scientific name. Traditionally used to fight colds, flu, asthma, and bronchitis, and also used in the world's cuisine.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The most common confusion around Oregano is Spanish Oregano (Thymus capitatus) which can be called Oregano or Wild Marjoram. This oil in the guide is the O. vulgare which is considered the classical Oregano, but always check any guides or books to make sure to which oil they are referring .Here are some other Oregano's with which you may come in contact: Greek Marjoram or Italian Oregano (O. heracleoticum, O. hirtum), Moroccan Oregano(O. virens, O. compactum), Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens), and Syrian Oregano(O. maru). All these plants have essential oils produced from them. Hyssop of the Bible was probably Origanum syriacum which is an oregano growing in the Middle East. Jesus was given Hyssop or Oregano in sour wine as he died (John 19:29).

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A perennial herb growing up to 3ft high with an erect hairy stem and ovate leaves producing pinkie-purple flowers.

PARTS PROCESSED: Flowering plants.

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Orange to brownish.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Phenol. Carvacrol, thymol-P, linalool, borneol, cymene, pinene.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Analgesic, anthelmintic, anti-infectious, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, antiviral, bactericidal, bachic, carminative, choleretic, cytophylactic, diaphoretic, disinfectant, emmenagogue, expectorant, hepatic, laxative, febrifuge, fungicidal, parasiticide, rubefacient, stimulant (liver and spleen, nervous system), stomachic, sudorific, tonic (general). Used for infected cuts, wounds, parasites, water logged skin, asthma, colds, bronchitis, rheumatic, colds, flu, infections, nerve tonic, noise in ear, migraines, psychopathic conditions.

MENTAL USES: My life is satisfying, full and complete. I can recognize the monster within, accept it, and love it.

EMOTIONAL USES: Dissatisfied, naïve, unaware of the darker elements in life, feel a void within, overwhelmed by life and unable to function or behave in a very offensive manner TO whole, complete, integrated with dark or shadow side of self, relaxed, peaceful.

SPIRITUAL USES: Best not used by beginners or persons beginning their emotional healing as Oregano could be too overwhelming or scary. If it is coming forward for you to work with it, it signals a certain maturity of emotional and mental development leading to love of self - all of self and the end of self destruction. Can also indicate that there may be some form of negative interfence in your field. Oregano will expel this negativity. Need to use within a sacred space (refer to atlas cedarewood on how to set this space) as powerful negative energy can be exposed for healing. The story of Beauty and the Beast comes to mind as we all have the elements of Beauty and the Beast within us. Oregano helps us to integrate these forces.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath (with proper carrier oil), diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, massage, mist spray.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: No formal testing, high phenols use with caution, could be skin irritant, avoid in pregnancy and with infants and children.