Oregano, also known as wild marjoram, is a perennial aromatic herb with a very powerful fragrance, well-known for its use as a condiment in Italian cuisine, particularly on pizzas. It is also a key ingredient in the famous Herbes de Provence blend. Although oregano should not be confused with garden marjoram as they are two distinct species, both plants share very similar medicinal properties.
Highly hardy, oregano is easy to grow in well-drained soil thanks to its great tolerance for both summer heat and cold temperatures down to -15°C. It is often found growing wild on embankments. While the plant itself has a relatively common appearance, its beautiful pink and purple flowers are highly attractive to pollinators and draw many insects during summer.
When to harvest oregano?
In cooking, oregano leaves are primarily used, while in herbal medicine, the flowering tops are preferred. Harvesting can therefore be done in spring for the leaves and during the flowering period from summer to autumn for the flowers.
Harvest on dry days, preferably in the morning once the dew has evaporated. This way, the oregano will retain its full flavour and the risk of mould developing during drying will be reduced.
Use secateurs to cut the upper two-thirds of stems where the flowers are not fully open. This will help shape your plant, stimulate lateral growth and allow for a second harvest later in the season.
Oregano flowers and leaves
How to dry oregano?
While oregano leaves can be used fresh, drying your harvest allows you to enjoy oregano tea benefits throughout winter. Here are the different methods available.
Air drying
As harvesting mainly occurs in summer, the air is usually dry enough for air drying. The harvest should be placed in a dry, dark location.
There are two methods to choose from:
- Lay the cut stems flat on a tray or sheet of paper. Avoid overlapping them to prevent mould growth. Drying may take several days depending on weather conditions. The plant is considered dry when the leaves crumble between your fingers. Handy tip: placing a sheet of paper over the harvest protects it from light, allowing you to dry it in sunlight.
- Alternatively: make small bunches of about ten stems each - no more. They need to be airy enough for all leaves to dry properly. Hang them upside down in a dry, dark place until completely dry.
Drying oregano flat or in small bunches
Oven drying
If weather conditions aren't suitable for air drying (with very high humidity), you can place the stems on a baking tray and dry them in the oven for several hours at a maximum temperature of 45°C to avoid cooking the plant. Keep the oven door slightly ajar to let moisture escape and speed up drying.
Using a dehydrator
You can also dry oregano leaves and flowering tops in a dehydrator. Refer to your appliance's manual for drying times.
How to store oregano?
Once the leaves and flowering tops are completely dry, remove them from the stems. This is easily done by running your fingers along the stems.
If you plan to use oregano for both cooking and medicinal purposes, it may be wise to store leaves and flowers separately in two labelled bags for convenience. Glass jars also work well, provided they're kept away from light to preserve the plant's active compounds.
Carefully remove flowers from dried stems and store flowers and leaves separately for different culinary or medicinal uses.
Storing fresh oregano
While we've mainly discussed drying as a storage method, note that dried oregano develops a bitter flavour. If you plan to use it in cooking, you might prefer a fresher version.
In the fridge, oregano stems can last up to a week if you keep the stem bases moist by wrapping them in damp kitchen paper.
For winter dishes, you can freeze washed, dried and stemmed oregano leaves flat before transferring them to a freezer bag for use as needed.
How to use oregano?
In cooking
Oregano leaves can be used fresh or dried. However, fresh oregano (used raw) is more fragrant, so add it at the end of cooking to preserve its full aroma.
It's a staple ingredient in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. It can flavour tomato sauces, fresh cheeses and, of course, be sprinkled on pizzas. It's also perfect for grilled dishes. You can infuse olive oil by adding a sprig.
Dried oregano is ideal for flavouring pizzas.
Medicinal uses
The flowering tops are typically used to make herbal tea. Use one teaspoon of dried herb per cup. Pour boiling water over the dried plant and steep for about ten minutes before drinking.
Health benefits of oregano
When used as a herbal tea, oregano is reputed to have:
- Digestive properties. It may help reduce bloating and flatulence while stimulating digestion
- Expectorant qualities. It could help fight bronchial inflammation and soothe coughs
- Antispasmodic effects, hence its use for colic, coughing fits and painful periods
To soothe coughs and promote expectoration, oregano can be used in steam inhalation. Pour very hot water over dried herb in a bowl and inhale the steam for a few minutes. If covering your head with a towel, protect your eyes and be careful not to burn yourself with the steam.
Adding the infusion to bathwater may help convalescents recover thanks to its fortifying properties.
To learn how to grow oregano in your garden, see our advice sheet Oregano: sowing, growing and harvesting and our tips for growing oregano in pots
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