| " target="_blank">Oregano herb was unheard of | | | | that livestock such as horses, goats and sheep |
| in the United States, and in most parts of the world, | | | | feeding on oregano leaves yield tastier and more |
| until after World War II, when returning soldiers came | | | | tender meats. Another reason to be happy, it seems. |
| back with an appetite for the "pizza herb". Oregano | | | | The popularity of the oregano herb spread |
| at that time, and even up to this day, was a staple | | | | throughout the Mediterranean region such as Turkey, |
| pizza ingredient in Italy. However, the herb did not | | | | Sicily and Spain. When the Romans conquered the |
| originate in Italy. | | | | Greeks, they found oregano in most Grecian homes. |
| It was the Greeks who first cultivated and used | | | | They instantly fell over the new flavor that this herb |
| oregano for culinary and medicinal applications. They | | | | offers and incorporated it in their cooking. They used |
| even regard it as "panakes" or a cure-all herb | | | | it to flavor meats and fishes. Italian dishes involves a |
| because of its wonderful antiseptic and healing | | | | lot of sauces, and since oregano goes so well with |
| properties. They also use oregano leaves when | | | | tomato, cheese and egg-based dishes, it wasn't |
| making wreaths to hail and honor their gods and | | | | surprising that the herb will became an essential part |
| goddesses, and to celebrate joyous occasions such | | | | of the Italian culinary. |
| weddings, childbirth and victories. Oregano is also | | | | They also discovered its medicinal value and used it |
| offered to the graves to bring peace to the souls of | | | | as a cure for toothaches, indigestion and diarrhea, |
| their departed loved ones. | | | | cough and colds, fever and rheumatism. With the |
| According to Greek mythology, it was Aphrodite, the | | | | expanding Roman Empire, oregano's fame and its |
| goddess of love and beauty, who created the herb | | | | many uses and applications, easily spread throughout |
| to give happiness to mankind. It then became a | | | | Europe and most part of Northern Africa. It is also |
| symbol of joy for the Greeks. The word oregano | | | | believed to have reached China during the Medieval |
| came from two Greek words (oros meaning | | | | ages, where it also became a favored herb for |
| mountain and ganos meaning joy) which when | | | | cooking and a potent ingredient in many oriental |
| combined literally means "joy of the mountain". It | | | | drugs and medicines. |
| was also associated with Artemis, the goddess of | | | | Today, oregano herb has sprouted different plant |
| childbirth. Hence, women in labor would often be seen | | | | varieties, each offering its own distinct flavors and |
| wearing wreaths made of oregano for protection and | | | | aroma. To name a few, we have the Cretan, Golden, |
| safe delivery. | | | | Italian, Sycilian, Syrian, Sweet Marjoram, Hot and |
| True to its name, oregano is often seen in ancient | | | | Spicy, Mexican and so on. Each nation seems to have |
| Greece as the bright and seemingly happy herb plants | | | | its own type of oregano. It only goes to prove how |
| growing alongside hills and mountains. But it served | | | | beneficial and useful are the properties of these |
| another purpose there, because the Greeks believed | | | | wonderful herb. |