What is the history of oregano?

The culinary and medicinal use of oregano dates back to the Greeks and Romans. Oregano was considered to be a sacred herb to the Greek goddess Aphrodite and was used, amongst other things, in wedding ceremonies to symbolise happiness. The Greek writer Theophratus referred to oregano in the 4th century BC using its Greek name Origanon. The Romans believed oregano to be a symbol of joy, and oregano leaves were frequently given as gifts. Oregano was cultivated by both the Greeks and the Romans for culinary and medicinal uses, and was one of the most popular herbs in Europe throughout the Middle Ages.

Oregano spread throughout Europe to become one of the most popular culinary and medicinal herbs by the 16th century. It then followed European colonisers to the Americas and other parts of the world.

In modern times, oregano is a popular herb in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, and is used to flavour a wide range of dishes, including pizzas, pastas, sauces and stews. Its strong flavour and pungent aroma are derived from its essential oils, which contain the compounds thymol, carvacrol and terpenes. These compounds have been found to have a range of medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.