🌿 Oregano

Origanum vulgare
herbs Perennial herb
Illustration of Oregano
☀️ Sun
Full sun; 6-8 hours daily. Flavor intensifies with more sun.
💧 Water
Allow soil to dry between waterings; drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering causes root rot.
🗺️ Zones
USDA zones 4-10 as perennial; can be grown as annual anywhere
🪴 Soil Type
Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil; pH 6.0-8.0. Tolerates poor soil. Good drainage essential.
🧪 Soil pH
6.0-8.0 (prefers alkaline, well-drained soil; tolerates poor, rocky soil)
📏 Spacing
12-18 inches apart
📐 Height
12-24 inches
📅 Days to Maturity
80-90 days from seed

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ ["Leaves"🍽️ "Flowers"]

🤝 Companions (8)

🤝 Tomatoes
Repels pests that attack tomatoes; improves flavor when planted nearby.
🤝 Peppers
Provides ground cover retaining soil moisture; repels aphids and spider mites.
Mutual pest deterrence; both aromatic herbs repel different pest species.
🤝 Cabbage/Brassicas
Repels cabbage moths and cabbage white butterflies.
🤝 Cucumbers
Repels cucumber beetles.
🤝 Grapes
Traditional companion in Mediterranean vineyards; may help deter pests.
🤝 Beans
Oregano's strong scent masks bean plants from pests.
Close relatives that thrive together with similar care needs.

⚠️ Keep Apart (1)

⚠️ Water-loving herbs
Oregano prefers drier soil; overwatering from companion plants can cause root rot.

💊 Medicinal Uses

{"conditions_treated": ["Respiratory infections (coughs, bronchitis, asthma, sore throat)", "Digestive disorders (indigestion, bloating, gas)", "Bacterial and fungal infections (strong antimicrobial)", "Inflammation and joint pain (anti-inflammatory)", "Menstrual cramps (antispasmodic)", "Cold and flu symptoms", "Parasitic infections (antiparasitic properties)", "Oral health (gingivitis, mouth ulcers)"], "preparation_methods": ["Tea/Infusion: 1-2 tsp dried herb steeped 10 minutes; for coughs, colds, digestive issues", "Oil of oregano: Steam-distilled essential oil; 1-3 drops in carrier oil for topical infections", "Tincture: 1:5 in 45% alcohol; 1-2ml 3x daily for respiratory/digestive infections", "Gargle: Strong infusion used as antimicrobial mouthwash for sore throat and oral health", "Steam inhalation: Few drops of oil in hot water for respiratory congestion", "Poultice: Crushed leaves applied to fungal skin infections"], "active_compounds": ["Carvacrol", "Thymol", "Rosmarinic acid", "Ursolic acid", "\u03b2-caryophyllene"], "toxicity_warnings": "Oil of oregano is very potent \u2014 ALWAYS dilute before topical use. May irritate mucous membranes. Avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy (may stimulate uterine contractions). May interact with blood thinners and diabetes medications. Not for long-term internal use of essential oil."}

📜 History & Traditional Uses

{"medieval": "Used in medieval European medicine as a 'warming' herb for colds and coughs. Strewn on floors as a disinfectant. Hildegard von Bingen recommended it for 'internal rottenness' and skin conditions.", "ancient": "Ancient Greeks used oregano for wounds and poisons; name means 'joy of the mountain' (oros ganos). Hippocrates used it as an antiseptic. Romans spread its use throughout Europe.", "folk_medicine": "Traditional Mediterranean remedy for respiratory and digestive ailments. Used as a preservative before refrigeration. Appalachian folk medicine uses oregano tea for colds, coughs, and menstrual cramps."}