When was oregano first domesticated

History Since oregano was originally grown in Greece, it was first used by the Greeks. They believed that this herb was created by the Goddess Aphrodite.

She wanted it to be a symbol of joy growing in her garden. Their love of the herb helped spread its use all throughout Europe and Northern Africa.

In the middle ages oregano was commonly used for medicinal purposes. They would chew the oregano leaves as a cure for many ailments such as rheumatism, toothache, indigestion, and coughing fits. During this time, Oregano also made the journey to China. It was also used for medicinal purposes in this region.

The Chinese people believed it helped with fever, vomiting and upset stomach. During the Elizabethan era, oregano was used for just about anything. It was used to encourage good luck and good health. It was used in spells for happiness, tranquility, luck, health, protection and letting go of a loved one.

It was also worn during sleeping to give one psychic dreams. Soldiers discovered the herb during the Italian Campaign and brought it back to the US. Culinary Uses Oregano is most often used in Italian cuisine. It is a key ingredient in tomato sauces and on pizza, pizza sauces, vegetable dishes and for adding flavor to grilled meat. Medicinal Uses Ancient Greeks believed that oregano could also be used as a poison antidote.

They used it to treat skin irritations and infections, dropsy, convulsions, and as an antidote for narcotic poisons. Oregano is believed to have originated on the mountainsides of Greece, Italy and other Mediterranean countries, making its name more than fitting.

Some of the original uses for oregano oil were as a headache cure, an antidote for poison, to help with respiratory conditions and to sooth insect and scorpion bites. It is said that Aristotle is responsible for the use of oregano for snake bites. He noticed that after tortoises ate snakes they would immediately eat the leaves from an oregano plant. It was also used as a preservative, perfume, massage oil and antiseptic. He used oregano on a regular basis to protect against respiratory and gastrointestinal issues and was one of the first to recognize its antiseptic properties.

It also has many traditional uses in ancient cultures. For example, during Roman and Greek wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom would be crowned with laurels that included oregano. During the middle ages, oregano had a magical and spiritual following. It was planted around tombs and graves so that the deceased could rest in peace. The leaves were often carried as good luck charms and used in magic spells geared towards achieving happiness and tranquility.

It was also a common plant to grow around homes to protect them from evil. It also became a more common food ingredient because it was one of the only spices that was easy to obtain.

The Romans can be credited with planting oregano throughout their empire as it grew, introducing it to new areas such as Northern Africa. It was during the Medieval period that oregano made its way to China, most likely through the spice road.

It was quickly embraced as a medicinal herb and was used to relieve fevers, vomiting, diarrhea and itchy skin. The English were the first to use oregano as an additive to snuff. It may come as a surprise that oregano was not a common herb in the United States until the first half of the 20 th century. Soldiers coming home from World War I had developed a taste for the herb after experiencing it throughout Europe.

With the pizza boom of the s and s, oregano found a permanent spot on spice racks throughout American homes. Oregano, a hardy, bushy plant, is a member of the mint family and can be found all over the world. It is a perennial plant but can be grown in cold climates as an annual. It is believed to have originated on the mountainsides of Greece. Oregano spreads easily and may need to be trimmed on occasion.