Oregano, Himalayan

Sow indoors in the spring to plant out once the risk of frost has passed. Seeds can be sown directly outdoors once the soil has warmed up in late spring but seedlings are slow to grow and are easier to manage when sown in pots or trays. Sow on the surface and press into the soil. A tough perennial, oregano can grow in poor soils and once established requires little maintenance.

All varieties of oregano contain natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties but this variety is particularly potent – evident in its very spicy leaves. The main compounds that are responsible for its antimicrobial properties – and spicy taste – are thymol and carvacrol. Research carried out on its essential oil showed that there was quite a lot of variation from batch to batch; some had high thymol content, some had high carvacrol content, but all batches were consistently effective against a wide range of bacteria and fungus when tested in petri-dishes in a lab.

If you are able to distil its essential oil, be aware that it is incredibly potent and should be well diluted before use (it is effective in dilutions as high as 1:1000). Due to the possibility of high thymol content we advise only using the essential oil externally (or diluted as a gargle). We know it can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, however it is not a replacement for antibiotics.

As with all oregano it has a warming and relaxing effect on digestion helping to absorb more of the nutrients. It can also benefit immunity, making it appropriate as a kitchen solution for seasonal infections or as a gargle for a sore throat. And its antiseptic qualities can also be used to clean a wound after a scrape.

Home-dried oregano is like nothing else you can buy. The leaves are best dried at a low temperature with good air-flow, around 35C for 12 hours and then stored in an air-tight container. Lay the fresh oregano stems on a rack and then when dried strip off the leaves for the ultimate home-grown oregano experience.

To make a tea, put a few sprigs in a cup of bolied water and infuse in a covered pot for 10-15 minutes to experience a different type of herbal tea. This can also be allowed to cool for a bit longer and used as a gargle at the first sign of a tickle.

To make a wash for wounds infuse 25g (a small bunch) of oregano in a cup of hot water, covered, for 30minutes. Cool in the fridge and use as a skin wash.