28 Earth-Body-Soul: Consulting With Oregano, Love
“Plants talk to us at all levels, molecule to molecule and spirit to spirit. They facilitate healing that is potent, profound, and life-affirming.”
“Dried oregano has thirty times the brain-healing antioxidant power of raw blueberries, forty-six times more than apples, and fifty-six times as much as strawberries, making it one of the most powerful brain cell protectors on the planet.”
Daily Word of Intention
love
Centering Thought
I am love.
Questions
How do you express love in your life?
Do you love?
How do you use oregano?
Gratitude:
I am so thankful for my love. I am thankful that I love and that I am loved.
Reflection
There is an innate wisdom in the Earth. Our kinship with plants can enlighten and empower us. As we consider and consult the greens that grow so near to us, what do we learn— what Earthly gifts are they so freely offering to our body and soul?
What do we know about oregano?
It’s beautiful! Compact, aromatic oval leaves grow along square and hairy stems and flower -white - pink and sometime purple at the tops.
It’s growable. Grown as a small evergreen perennial shrub in the milder regions of the world, in the colder climes, it is replanted year after year.
It’s got roots. Of the mint family, oregano is native to the Mediterranean and western Asia and has naturalized throughout North America. It was first used in Greece and then spread widely by the Romans.
It’s got a name. Called wild marjoram, origanum, Spanish thyme, and European oregano, oregano has many names. First used by the ancient Greeks who believed this herb to have been created by Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, to grow in her mountain top garden as a symbol of joy for all of the people everywhere. She gave this herb its beautiful and distant scent so that mortals would remember her and her beauty. Actually, the term itself, “oregano,” is a composite of two Greek terms merged into one: oros, which means “mountain,” and ganos, which means “brilliance of joy.” And so brilliant joy of the mountains is the meaning of this herb. To honor and acknowledge Aphrodite’s connection, oregano is often woven into crowns and worn by the bride and groom at weddings. There is some debate about that name though. One source that I found suggests that origanos is is is a borrowed term hailing from Africa. If this is so, the term sounded much like the words, orei and ganos and these terms were logically applied to the plant. The term majorum is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit maruva, which means from what I can tell flower and is a word for this herb. In time, the Latin major, was applied because the sound was so similar. This led to the French majorane, the English mageram, and then finally the term evolved into the spelling used today: majorum
It’s edible. Oregano is used as a spice in many dishes. Popular in Greek and Italian recipes, the oregano flavor mixes well with sauced tomatoes. I like to toss it on salads and soups. It works nicely in sauces too. If you make fresh bread, add oregano to the dough and bake it up fresh. It’s good this way in pizza dough as well. Brew it into a warm tea.
It’s nutritious. Oregano is a natural source of fiber and vitamins A, C, K, E, B-complex, it also contains the minerals potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium. It has considerable amounts of tryptophan, calcium and the phytonutrients thymol and carvacrol which fight infections. Oregano is full of antioxidants.
It’s medicine. This ancient herb has been used as a medicine for a long time. In Greece, it was used as a poison antidote and to clear up skin irritations, infections, and dropsy. It was also given to those suffering convulsions. During the Middle Ages in Europe, the leaves were chewed to cure coughs, rheumatism, toothache, and poor digestion. In China, it lowered fever, and aided upset stomachs. Oregano has been associated with and used for encouraging luck and promoting health. At one point, people were stuffing their pillows with oregano to promote psychic dreams. Later the use expanded. Of all plants, oregano has the highest antioxidant compounds. It is also antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral. It works wonders for the respiratory system, dispelling colds, flu, and viral infections. It is extremely effective against streptococcus. It is also great for the digestive system, bolstering the gut, dispelling gas, and clearing indigestion. It is a powerful detoxifier, pulling poisons from the body and cleansing the lymphatic system. It balances metabolism and supports all organs. Add drops of the oil or oregano to your bath to ease pain and clear the skin. This herb fights cancer and lowers blood pressure.
It Cleans. Not only will it cleanse your body, but oregano can be used to make cleaners at home. A great disinfectant, use it with vinegar and water to disinfect your home or place of work. Drop a few drops in a diffuser to disinfect the air.
What Advise for living does this plant give?
Be beautiful. Be fragrant. Bloom. Represent love and joy to everyone all around. Be a healing presence. Ward off evil and invite positivity.
Sources
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "oregano". Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Jun. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/plant/oregano. Accessed 16 July 2021.
Dean, Sam. “The Etymology of Oregano and Marjoram.” BonAppetit.org. Assessed 15 July 2021.
“Oregano.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, Mar. 2021, p. 1. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=134486043&site=eds-live.
Kolasa-Sikiaridi, Kerry. “Oregano: The Quintessential Ancient Greek Herb.” Greek Reporter.https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/25/oregano-the-quintessential-ancient-greek-herb/. Assessed 16 July 2021.
“The History of Oregano.” MySpicer.Com. https://www.myspicer.com/history-of-oregano/. Assessed 16 July 2021.
William, Anthony. “Oregano.” https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/oregano. Assessed 15 June 2021.
Blessings
Thank you for joining me today! I hope you have a beautiful day! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Peace for now - And remember, stay CHARMED.