Oregano in flower- Oregano plant pictures

Oregano, the pizza herb is in flower right now.
Oregano-Origanum vulgare aka wild marjoram is a hardy perennial in the mint family, native to temperate western and southwestern Europe and to the Mediterranean region.

The flowers of the Oregano plant are of a beautiful pink color produced in erect spikes, in July.
I found these flowers yesterday in a flower bed in front of a shop, growing wild among other carefree ground cover plants.
Looking for some info about them on the web, I was surprised to read how miraculous this plant is. Here I share my findings with you:

For centuries, fresh and dried leaves of oregano are commonly used for culinary purpose to add flavor in sauces and various food preparations, in many parts of the world like Italian, Mexican, Spanish, Turkish and Greek dishes. It has a warm and slightly bitter taste and it is a must ingredient of the Italian pizza sauce.

There are several species of Oregano plants but climate and soil composition has the most important effect on the flavor of the aromatic oil contained in the plants' leaves. Dried leaves seam to be more flavorful than green ones.

Oregano leaves and flowering stem has been used as medicinal herb since thousands of years back. You can grow Oregano in a container or a flower pot or you can buy Oregano oil from your local health food store.
Oregano oil is an important volatile oil obtained from the plant's leaves and contains precious chemical constituents like carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, niacin, riboflavin and is also rich in vitamins. The plant is a powerful anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, a natural antibiotic and antioxidant, stimulant and mild tonic.

Oregano- medicinal uses

• For its anti-fungal properties Oregano is used in external and internal fungal infections like Candida, insect bites and skin problems.
• The flavonoids the plant contains have powerful anti-microbial and natural antiseptic properties.
• Oregano herbal tea is used in urinary problems, lung problems, diarrhea, nausea, as a digestive.
• Oregano is also an efficient pain killer used in headaches and toothache. Tooth infection is treated by applying Oregano oil directly to the infected tooth.
• The plant has higher levels of antioxidants than vegetables. A tablespoon of fresh leaves from your garden can be added to the daily food

Oregano side effects

• This medicinal herb has no serious side effects. However, by people having allergies to herbal supplements it can produce skin rash, itching and chest discomfort, if administered in high doses.
• Oregano is not recommended for pregnant women and lactating women, neither for children.
• People having high blood pressure or heart problems should ask for advice a qualified physician before using oregano.
• Oregano Oil sold as essential oil is very concentrated, you will need to dilute it with olive oil or coconut oil before using.
• Start with the smallest recommended dose, working up gradually to larger doses.
• Just simple common sense is needed to benefit of the Oregano's healing properties, without having any side effects.

Like Basil, oregano contain large amounts of (E)-beta-caryophyllene, which seams to help in the treatment of arthritis and inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine.