Oregano is a common kitchen herb, but it can do much more than just spruce up your tomato sauce recipe.

A few years ago, on the recommendation of a friend, I purchased oregano oil and started my day with a drop under the tongue. I was told that the oil would kill bacteria and viruses and ultimately cleanse my system of the stresses that were inspiring acne.

Oregano packs incredible cleansing power and works to improve just about every system in your body. Slowly but surely, my use of the oregano oil made the difference! Only later did I learn about all the other positive things I was doing for my body by taking it.

Oregano is high in iron, manganese, vitamin K, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. Iron is essential in the formation of red blood cells, which bringing oxygen to the body’s tissues. Manganese is central to proper brain function while vitamin K is key for bone health. With its omega-3 content, oregano incurs an anti-inflammatory response and may be helpful in improving mild Alzheimer’s patients’ symptoms, as omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to the brain and mood.

Oregano also contains powerful antioxidants that do their share of magic on the body, from treating cancer to improving heart health to fighting aging. In fact, while antioxidants can be found in most fruits and vegetables, oregano is markedly among the top of the list in terms of antioxidant levels per gram of fresh weight. For example, oregano ranks first among most common herbs for its antioxidant content and holds 42-times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30-times more than potatoes, 12-times more than oranges, and 4-times more than blueberries.

As far as the skin is concerned, oregano is a lifesaver. With its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, oregano can be used in its oil form as a topical treatment for acne and dandruff. Before using oregano in this way, however, be sure to test a small area of skin on your arm to see how the patch reacts. If you don’t, there could be a nasty allergic reaction.  

To get the most out of oregano and its various benefits, use it fresh in your home cooking or add a drop of oregano oil to water in the morning.

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Photo Credit: Maureen Lunn

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One of the most underrated herbs is marjoram. But give one these incredible uses a try and let a love affair begin.

Marjoram is like oregano’s sweeter, lighter sibling. A Mediterranean-region staple, marjoram has a very distinct aroma that was praised among ancient Greeks and Romans as a symbol of love and happiness. Newlyweds would often be crowned with wreaths made of sweet marjoram to promise a long-lasting marriage. Deceased people who had marjoram growing on their graves were considered to be granted with eternal peace and happiness. Commonly, marjoram is used to season soups, stews, dressings and sauces, but its uses go much further than that. Due to its high nutrient content and flavor, the herb is a potent healer that surpasses many other herbs.

The herb is incredibly healing and quite the perk to many of your favorite dishes. Marjoram leaves contain essential oils and acids, vitamins A, B3, B6, C, D, and K as well as flavonoids, potassium, manganese, iron, copper and phosphorus. These ten uses of marjoram are just a glimpse of what it can do for you.

1. Heart Health

Your heart may love the herb in more ways than one. Marjoram has been shown to improve cardiovascular health and support a strong and robust heart.

2. “Anti” Herb

Marjoram possesses antibiotic, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it great for treating a host of infections.

3. Natural Fragrance

Take fresh marjoram and rub the leaves on your wrists and behind your ears, enough to release the herb’s essential oils. What you are left with is a light fragrance that bears piney, citrus overtones. I find the aroma fit for both men and women.

4. Digestive Aid

Marjoram’s essential oils have digestive properties. Its oils stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, starting with the salivary glands in the mouth. Then, it jump starts the secretion of gastric juices and bile as well as the peristaltic movement of the intestines.

5. Tea

Enjoy marjoram’s many benefits in a relaxing way – as a tea! Simply drop fresh marjoram leaves in piping hot tea water and let steep for a few minutes before sipping.

6. Pizza Topping

Oregano is a popular spice to season pizza with. Replace oregano with marjoram and bring a sweeter, albeit potent, flavor to the same old.

7. Anti-Aging Remedy

Aging is due to oxidation of cells, but foods high in antioxidants can reverse, or at least slow, this process. Marjoram is jam-packed with antioxidants and is thus a great anti-aging herb.

8. Sausage

If you make your own sausage, add more exciting flavors to the mix, starting with marjoram. Dried marjoram will give sausage a truly unique flavor and keep the taste buds guessing.

9. Menstrual Cycle Regularity

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, women who endure painful or irregular periods can benefit from regular marjoram consumption. The oils help to relieve cramps and other menstrual symptoms. The herb is also beneficial for those going through menopause. Pregnant women should avoid marjoram, as it can cause uterine contractions.

10. Pesto

Why stick with the same old when you can add a little bit of mystery to a regular recipe? Add some fresh marjoram to your next pesto recipe and you’ll see a lot of raised eyebrows, wondering what the secret ingredient could possibly be.

Image: TheGardenBuzz

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The post Marjoram: 10 Incredible Uses for this Underappreciated Herb appeared first on EcoSalon.

There’s a world of unusual culinary herbs out there waiting to be explored that goes far beyond rosemary and thyme. This summer, try out a few new ones and expand your herb repertoire.

There’s nothing like cutting stalks of mint and basil from your own pots of kitchen herbs (doable in even the smallest of spaces) to add in to whatever you’re cooking. Fresh herbs can make all the difference in a dish after all. But why stop at the good old standards? Check out these culinary herbs worth adding into the mix.

1. Red Basil

Popular in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, red basil has a bit of a stronger, spicier taste to its more popular counterpart. Like the more common sweet basil, it’s rich in vitamins and minerals which means you can’t go wrong adding it into your food. The easiest use is adding it fresh to salads, but it can also easily be used in making infused simple syrups, or for a summery treat, make a batch of Thai Basil and Coconut Ice Cream.

2. Lemon Verbena

This perennial herb is known for its delicious citrus smell. Common in soap and shampoo, if you’re looking for a citrus flavor that’s a little different than the average lemon, lemon verbena should be your go-to summer herb. Add it to whipped cream for summer cakes or make a flavored vinegar. The ultimate summer treat? A glass of lemon verbena lemonade.

3. Scented Geranium

There are more than 400 types of geranium plants, and with the scented versions you’ll get everything from rose to nutmeg smells, which can be used in a variety of dishes and drinks. Add it to a summer berry compote, infuse vodka or gin, or make a flavored sugar for sprinkling on baked goods.  And as it turns out, the plant even works as a mosquito repellent, pulling double summer duty.

4. Lovage

Some people mistake lovage for celery leaves. The herb has a very similar smell and flavor, which makes it a good base for soups and stocks, and anything savory. How about a Lovage and Lettuce Soup? And since it’s summer, you’re probably guzzling water; use lovage and make your own herbal essence to add just a little flavor when staying hydrated.

5. Chocolate Mint

A lot of people keep mint on hand, but if you’re going to add another herb to your collection, make it chocolate mint. It has a strong flavor, so you want to choose carefully where you use it. Steep a tea, chop finely and add to strawberries, whip up a chocolate mousse, make ice cream or even serve yourself a chocolate mint mojito.

6. Sorrel

Slightly tart and with a little bite, sorrel is one of those herbs that doesn’t make it onto most people’s ingredient list. And that’s a shame, because paired well it has a distinct and delicious flavor. There’s also a wild version that can easily be foraged. Start with beets and grapefruit and make a salad, for a variation on pesto, use sorrel instead of basil, or pair with strawberries for a smoothie.

7. Culinary Lavender

Lavender isn’t unusual in and of itself, but as it’s more commonly used in soaps, potpourris and the like, not typically found among the culinary herbs. Yes, you can in fact eat lavender. Most varieties of lavender can be used for cooking but Lavandula angustifolia is the most prominent one; try to find an organic version. Lavender’s taste is strong, so start off easy and and taste as you go along before adding in more. Throw it on salads, use it as a meat rub, make a lavender aioli for serving with potatoes, or make a lavender simple syrup and indulge in a lavender margarita.

Images: hozinja, Dan Hurt, jacqueline, zormasa, thevonDOOMs, Jake, Theresa, Walter Smith

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