01.
“Oregano” comes from the Greek: “oros” means mountain and “ganos” means joy.

02.
The name “oregano” is often used to denote the entire herbal family of Origanum, which includes the many varieties of oregano
as well as marjoram.

03.
True Greek Oregano goes by the Latin name O. vulgare hirtum (or O. heracleoticum).

04.
Because they have more oil glands in the leaves, Greek Oregano has a far stronger
flavor than common oregano – so strong that, eaten fresh, it can numb your tongue.

05.
The Ancient Greeks encouraged the growth of oregano in mountain grazing lands to improve the flavor of their livestock.

06
Many of the oregano family’s original uses were medicinal instead of culinary. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used oregano as an antiseptic as well as a cure for stomach and respiratory ailments.

07.
A Cretan oregano (O. dictamnus) is still used today in Greece to soothe a sore throat.

08.
Oregano became popular in the US when returning WWII soldiers brought back with them a taste for the “pizza herb”.

09.
Oregano was associated with the goddess Aphrodite. It was said that if a maiden slept with oregano under her pillow she would dream of her future husband.

10.
The herb was also planted over graves to comfort the dead and improve their prospects for eternal happiness.

11.
More happily, garlands of oregano are traditionally used in wedding ceremonies.