The beneficial properties and contraindications of oregano are well studied. The Latin name "origanum" comes from the Greek language and translates as "joy of the mountains." In ancient Greece, toothaches and headaches were treated with grass, used as an antidote for the bites of poisonous animals and for poisoning, for healing wounds. In Russia, it was affectionately called "motherboard", "swan", and was also called "the herb of love" and was often used as a love potion, and kvass was prepared from it. And in Europe, aromatic beer was brewed from grass.
Name
Oregano (pictured) is also popularly called motherboard, incense, bee-lover, dushmyanka, bedbug herb or forest mint (lat.Oríganum vulgáre).
The familiar plant also hides under the Mediterranean name oregano. It is used as a seasoning for dishes. The spicy, pleasant aroma of oregano is a bit like thyme. From the flowers of the plant, medicinal honey of a pleasant taste is obtained.
Oríganum vulgáre
Contraindications
In order not to harm health, medicinal herbs should be handled carefully, strictly observing the proportions and prescriptions. There are some restrictions for using oregano:
- hypotension - decoctions and infusions lower blood pressure;
- ulcer and gastritis with high acidity - the herb can aggravate the condition, since it stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid;
- individual intolerance - there is always a risk of an allergic reaction;
- children under 5 years of age - grass can cause drowsiness and lethargy.
Restrictions relate to the use of incense for the purpose of treatment and do not apply to the culinary field, in which personal preference and taste are of primary importance.
Description
A perennial plant of the family of lamines has an erect stem with a branching apex up to 70 cm in height. The stem of a tetrahedral shape is covered with oblong leaves with a pointed edge up to 4 cm long. The color of the leaves is dark green with a noticeable vein structure.
Shield-paniculate inflorescences (pictured) with small pink-purple fragrant flowers adorn the plant on warm days from June to August. By the beginning of September, oregano fruits appear, which are four open brown or brown nucleoli in a cup.
Oregano
For growth, oregano chooses sunny open areas of forest clearings of coniferous or mixed forests, slopes of hills and ravines, dry areas of meadows. Small group plantations are more common. The geography of distribution includes European countries, Central Asia and Siberia.
On garden plots, oregano is sown with seeds for adding to dishes from meat and vegetables, brewing fragrant tea.
Plant features
Growing area
Oregano, or oregano in natural conditions, is found everywhere, throughout Europe, especially in South and Central. Its homeland is the Mediterranean basin. In Russia, the grass does not take root only in the Far East and the Far North. Oregano loves dry and floodplain meadows, valleys, slopes of gullies, it also grows on forest edges and clearings, in shrub thickets, on the sides of field roads.
Botanical description
Oregano ordinary. Botanical illustration from the book by K. A. M. Lindman "Bilder ur Nordens Flora", 1917-1926.
Oregano does not like clayey, acidic soils.On these soils, it hardly grows or develops poorly.
- Root. Creeping, with many branches.
- Stem. Up to 90 cm high. Erect, with four edges, branched on top, green or purple.
- Leaves. Oblong, pubescent, at the top of the stem, the tips of the leaves are pointed, 2 to 4 cm long, darker above, lighter below.
- Flowers. They grow in the form of inflorescences, spreading panicles. The flowers are small, pink-purple.
- Fruit. In the form of a cup with four nuts, brownish color.
If you rub the flowers and leaves of the motherboard, a pleasant, expressive smell appears. The herb has an astringent, bitter-spicy taste.
Growing and harvesting
It is recommended to harvest the plant after the second year of the growing season, then the content of nutrients in the leaves and flowers increases.
- Growing. The motherboard belongs to unpretentious plants. It can even be grown in balcony boxes. It takes root well in personal plots, in a vegetable garden, is not afraid of drought and frost, can grow on any soil, with the exception of damp places, acidic soils. You need to plant the grass in a sunny place, you can sow both in spring and early autumn. You can prepare seedlings by sowing seeds in March, then there is a high probability that the motherboard will bloom in the first year. If the seeds are sown directly into the ground, they will bloom only next year. During growth, oregano should not be heavily flooded with water or, conversely, overdry the soil, otherwise the content of essential oils will decrease. In one place, the grass can grow for a long time - up to 25 years.
- Collection. The tops of the stems together with inflorescences and leaves (up to 20 cm high) are cut with a knife. The grass blooms from June to August, but experienced herbalists recommend collecting the motherboard at the beginning of mass flowering.
- Making essential oil of oregano. To obtain essential oil, fresh raw materials are used, which are processed using hydrodistillation.
- Drying. It is better to break off coarse stems, since they contain the least valuable substances. Oregano is dried in the fresh air, but in the shade. It is important that the plant does not come into direct sunlight or overheat. You need to dry it at a temperature not higher than 35 ° C, otherwise useful substances will evaporate.
- Storage. Dry raw materials are put into dense canvas bags, wooden boxes. They are stored in a cool and dry place. The motherboard also needs to be kept separate from other medicinal herbs, as they can absorb its scent. You can thresh a dry motherboard by pulling out all the rough branches. Threshed grass is placed in glass jars, tightly closed. In this form, it can be stored for 3 years.
In Russia, oregano is not cultivated for industrial purposes. But, for example, in France and the USA, it is a popular agricultural crop, which is used in the food industry and pharmacology.
Oregano belongs to plants that can be used not only in medicine, but also in cooking. There are very few risks when taking it. Oregano contraindications: pregnancy in any trimester. With increased acidity of the stomach, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, hepatic and renal colic, stomach ulcers, hypertension and any chronic diseases, a doctor's consultation is needed before taking the herb.
Healing properties
The healing properties of oregano have the following effect:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiseptic
- Expectorant
- Sedative
- Firming
- Pain reliever
- Wound healing
- Antispasmodic
- Choleretic and diuretic action
Infusion and tea of oregano improves appetite and strengthens the nervous system, normalizes sleep and digestion. For diseases of the respiratory tract, including colds and pneumonia, oregano decoction helps to alleviate the condition, remove phlegm and ease cough.
Ladanka
Drugs for liver and kidney therapy, treatment of depressive and nervous disorders use oregano.For pain in the stomach and intestines, ulcers of internal organs, gastritis, colitis, constipation, the use of a decoction of the plant is effective.
Rinsing the mouth relieves pain and inflammation in stomatitis, sore throat, dental problems. Inhalation with grass improves sinusitis and laryngitis.
The oil helps to restore and heal the skin. Compresses with a decoction of oregano are effective for purulent skin rashes, eczema, scrofula.
Oregano is called a female herb for its ability to heal gynecological diseases and stabilize the monthly cycle. The use of oregano normalizes sleep and relieves nervous exhaustion, improves digestion and appetite. Rinsing hair on the head with a decoction promotes their growth and strength. With fresh juice obtained from the herb, purulent wounds are treated and a runny nose is treated.
Preparation of the broth
To obtain a decoction, small dry grass in the amount of 2 tablespoons. pour a glass of boiling water. Hold in a water bath for 15-20 minutes, then leave for about an hour. Take warm strained broth 2 times during the day, 15 minutes before meals, 1/3 cup.
Bee lover
Internal use relieves inflammation in the esophagus and stomach, actively fights against bad breath.
When to refrain from consuming oregano:
- With ulcerative lesions of the intestines and stomach
- Hypertension
- With diseases of the heart and blood vessels
- Increased acidity of gastric juice
- With hepatic and renal colic
- In pregnant women, oregano causes uterine contractions causing miscarriage
- In men, after prolonged use, sexual weakness is possible.
- Oregano has a bad effect on the sexual development of children.
The benefits and harms of the plant for women
Let's see why this herb, with all its universal properties, is considered feminine. She received the affectionate name "motherboard" for its wide application in gynecology and care for our health. Its phytoestrogens help regulate the menstrual cycle and compensate for the lack of hormones that inevitably occurs during menopause.
After childbirth, a decoction of the mother's mother stimulates lactation, contributes to the reduction of smooth muscles of the uterus and the speedy recovery of the body as a whole. But during the period of bearing a child, its use is strictly prohibited due to the increased risk of termination of pregnancy or premature birth.
External use in the form of douching gives a good effect in the treatment of cervical erosion, inflammation and irritation of the vaginal mucosa.
The broth is also used for cosmetic purposes as a vitamin conditioner for hair, giving it strength and shine, or as a face tonic with an anti-inflammatory refreshing effect.
Application options
The plant is popular for health and beauty baths. Oregano essential oil is an important component of phyto and aromatherapy, in cosmetology and perfumery.
Oregano decoction
Dry herb oregano, when inhaled, relieves headaches and insomnia. It is poured into a sachet and laid out on the shelves with things.
Culinary experts actively use oregano as a fragrant and healthy addition to sauces, marinades, soups, pizza, side dishes and meat dishes, drinks and tea.
Is it possible oregano for children
For children, the herb is quite safe when applied externally, if there is no skin allergic reaction. Rinsing and inhalations based on the amulet will help in the treatment of diseases of the throat and oral cavity, and medicinal baths with the addition of a decoction of the herb are prescribed in the complex therapy of skin rashes, dermatitis, scrofula and diathesis.
Oregano is part of many herbal preparations for coughs, but for boys, especially during puberty, their use must be coordinated with a pediatrician so as not to cause hormonal imbalance.
Growing oregano in the garden
Before choosing a site and planting, it is important to decide on the purpose.To get a fragrant seasoning with a piquant taste, 3-5 bushes are enough for your table. For medicinal purposes, you will need a bed next to other herbs.
Oregano will not only bring health benefits, but also beautify the garden. Planting a group of plants will create a spectacular spot of color near cereals and steppe grasses. In a garden of classical design, grass will complement the curbs, mixborders and ridges (see photo). In a sunny place between rock garden or rockery stones, oregano will look great.
Oregano in the garden
If you don't have a garden, you can use pots and place them on your balcony or patio. Ampel varieties of oregano will be an excellent wall decor, and undersized plants will form a fragrant carpet (pictured).
Planting oregano: place, soil and time
Oregano, most common in mid-latitudes, is unpretentious and resistant to climatic conditions. The plant grows well in lighted areas with drainage as in the photo.
The preferred type of soil is sandy loam with a neutral level of acidity. Suitable for growing in dry areas.
A greater concentration of useful elements and aroma is noted in plants in sunny meadows with proper care.
Oregano in the field
Planting oregano seeds is planned for spring or early autumn. With vegetative propagation by dividing the root, work is also planned for this period. With a summer transplant, regular watering is required.
Oregano belongs to perennials and can grow in one place for decades, yet when gardening it is recommended to plant plants after 5 years. If this is not done, thickening occurs, the plants stretch out and bloom worse.
Oregano for men
Regular use of drugs based on this herb can cause erectile dysfunction in men due to the phytoestrogens in its composition, and the sedative and sedative properties of amulet can reduce libido and sexual activity.
However, black or green tea with the addition of oregano will not bring harm, since the concentration of active substances in such a drink is low. You can safely pamper yourself with a cup of aromatic tea before bed to calm the nervous system and relieve tension after a hard day.
Sowing seeds
The varieties of decorative oregano bred by breeders are distinguished by high taste, decorative and aromatic qualities from the wild-growing progenitor.
It is better to start growing from seeds by sowing seedlings. Seeds are sown in boxes or greenhouses in March. Early sowing ensures flowering this summer. A May planting will delay flowering for next year.
Oregano seeds
The prepared container with drainage holes is filled with earth with the addition of sand. The soil is moistened and compacted. Seeds are spread into grooves up to 1 cm deep and sprinkled with soil. Watered and covered with foil for quick germination. Keep the container warm and moist. With the emergence of seedlings, the shelter is removed. Landing in the ground is carried out in May. The seedlings are placed at a distance of 30x50 cm.
When planting late, the seedlings are grown in beds with a denser sowing of 15x15 cm. In August, they are transferred to a permanent place.
Oregano care consists in watering, loosening, feeding. When watering young plants, excess moisture should not be allowed. This is bad for the development and maintenance of the etheric components. Starting from the third year of growth, the plants are rarely weeded, the bushes grow and displace the weeds.
Where is oregano used other than traditional medicine?
Oregano, photo
The medicinal plant is widely used in traditional and folk medicine, homeopathy, and in aromatherapy, pure essential oil obtained by hydrodistilling green vegetative mass collected from specially organized plantations is very popular.
The herb is part of the productive anti-cold, diaphoretic, breast, carminative preparations, the recipes of which have been used by phytotherapists for more than one century. The tops of plants collected during the period of mass flowering and carefully dried in well-ventilated dark rooms are used as medicinal raw materials.
Dried perennial raw materials are also used in cooking under the better known name of oregano. Spice is used to season dishes from all types of meat, including pates, by-product fillings, homemade sausages, as well as marinades used for salting mushrooms and vegetables. The benefits of oregano for the human body have been scientifically proven, and it not only improves the taste of food, but also makes it curative.
Very often oregano can be found in spicy mixtures designed to improve the taste of mushrooms and oyster mushrooms, pizza, sauces, gravy, mayonnaise. The delicate taste and delicate aroma of oregano makes it an indispensable spice in most world cuisines. Oregano goes well with many spices, including allspice and black pepper, basil, rosemary, thyme (thyme), marjoram.
In Russian cuisine, there are recipes for making aromatic teas from oregano or a mixture of various plants with it. Also, all kinds of cosmetics are prepared from the herb, which make it possible to diversify face and body care.
Reproduction in a vegetative way
The vegetative methods of propagation of oregano include the division of the rhizome, cuttings and the formation of layering. When dividing the root, the bush is removed from the ground. In each part, at least 4 mature buds are left during separation. A plant is placed in the finished wells, the roots are straightened, watered and covered with earth.
Oregano seedlings
Propagation by layering and cuttings is more often used for decorative varieties. The stalk is cut from a young shoot with several internodes and rooted under a film. The stalk is pinned to the ground approximately in the middle. Sprinkle with earth and watered. The rooted shoot is planted the next year.
For better tillering and increasing future yields in the first year, inflorescences are cut off from the plants. Under good conditions, it is possible to harvest raw materials up to 4 times a season. After cutting, the plant is watered and fertilized with a liquid solution of mullein (1: 5) or bird droppings (1:15).
Watch also a video on the topic:
We prepare healing products at home
To achieve a pronounced therapeutic effect, drinking only herbal tea is not always enough. In order for the plant to give up all its valuable components, you need to know how to brew oregano.
Cold infusion
In terms of vitamin C content, Ladanka surpasses even the popular Ivan tea. To avoid its destruction during heat treatment, you can prepare a cold infusion of fresh herbs.
To do this, wash the collected oregano in running water, gently knead it with your hands so that the juice begins to stand out, place it in a glass or ceramic dish and fill it with clean water at room temperature in a ratio of 1:10.
We insist for a day in a place protected from light. Thus, not only vitamin C, but also all other useful substances will be perfectly preserved, and the taste of the drink will be pleasantly different from thermally processed raw materials.
Hot infusion
But brewing cannot be avoided if preparations with a high concentration of the active ingredient are needed. Then we can prepare an infusion or decoction. For infusion, freshly harvested herb is usually used, but in the cold season, dried herb can also be used.
Fill the prepared grass with boiling water in a ratio of 1:10, as for the cold method, cover with a lid and leave for at least half an hour. Cool and filter the resulting infusion.
A more concentrated preparation can be prepared in a thermos. We place two tablespoons of the herb in a liter thermos and pour boiling water over it. We leave it overnight, and in the morning we filter and use the ready-made infusion.
Decoction
The broth differs from the infusion in that it must be simmered in a water bath. To do this, put the herb filled with boiling water in a suitable dish in a container filled with water and heat it for 15 minutes, without bringing it to a boil. Then let it cool, filter it and take it as directed.
It must be remembered that such homemade preparations should be stored in a cool place for no more than two days.
Spread
Oregano or motherland Oregano's homeland is the Mediterranean, but it grows in general throughout Europe on calcareous and gravelly soils in warm places, such as southern slopes and slopes, southern forest edges and dry meadows.
Oregano is widespread in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Western and Central Siberia, Central Asia and Kazakhstan.
Habitat... It grows in areas of meadow steppes, bushes, clearings and clearings in oak and pine forests, as well as in birch forests.
Oregano (motherboard). Teberda reserve. In the meadows, in the mountains. steppe slopes and edges, 1300-2000 m above sea level. Everywhere, usually.
Potential harm
In addition to useful properties, there are a number of contraindications to the use of tea from this plant, which should not be drunk uncontrollably.
This herb should not be consumed while carrying a baby., since it can provoke a spontaneous miscarriage, activating the contractions of the uterus, causing irreparable harm to a woman's health.
There are also restrictions for persons with serious disorders of the cardiovascular system.... For men, the herb is contraindicated because of the risk of a decrease in potency, with an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, with renal, intestinal or hepatic colic.
Oregano can be used in any form, even as an essential oil contraindicated in hypertension.
Video: Oregano - a herb for centenarians
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video, it will give you a complete picture of the qualities of such a product as oregano. The author will tell not only about the properties of the plant, but also about the etymology of the origin of the name in different cultures.
Now you know about the appearance, drying process and methods of making drinks from amulet. It is especially interesting to listen to excerpts from the Russian botanical dictionary of the Russian scientist Nikolai Annenkov, in which the author admired the plant, studied its properties and benefits.
What can be replaced?
Not finding oregano at home, do not be upset, this spice can be easily replaced with other herbs.
A universal replacement for oregano is:
- a mixture of Provencal herbs;
- marjoram;
- thyme;
- chopped and mixed dill and parsley;
- fresh mint;
- cilantro with dill;
- basil with mint.
In pizza
When making pizza, you can replace oregano with any of the options listed above. Marjoram, Provencal herbs, or a mixture of parsley and other herbs are ideal substitutes.
In the salad
In a salad to replace oregano, you can take thyme, cilantro, Provencal herbs, or basil with mint.
A bit of folklore
Oregano, oregano, motherboard,
The people call her differently.
It is believed that a magic blade of grass
It will reliably save you from evil spirits.
In the folk dictionary, there are different names for oregano - spiritual color, bone-breaking grass, forest mint, motherboard, flea beetle. Hence the conclusion suggests itself that it is very widely used.
Russians associate oregano with the era of Peter the Great's reign. Once the tsar, disguised as a traveler, asked to spend the night with a mistress. Only in someone else's house he could not sleep. The hostess gave the unknown wanderer a miracle broth, which helped him to relax and sleep until morning. In the morning, the king, full of strength, inquired about the girl's name and what drug she had given him to drink. All loved ones called her Oregano, and the herb was called fragrant calm.
The girl did not even know that she was dealing with the emperor himself.He also ordered the herb to be called in honor of her name - oregano. The tsar left, and the plant began to be called in Russia. This is, of course, a legend, but with meaning.
Beautiful beliefs are also associated with the name "motherboard". It was believed that if you sleep on a pillow made of dry oregano, you will have an excellent memory that allows you to remember your mother, native places, childhood.
Oregano is especially widespread in Ukraine. There is also a legend about a deceased mother and her unfortunate children who cried endlessly at her grave. From their tears, a beautiful fragrant flower bloomed on the grave. The children saw him as their mother, so they called him the mother.
And today, among the expanse of lush grasses in the forest oak forests, the beautiful motherboard flaunts and smells. This perennial plant is known to the entire rural population, and many city dwellers. There are many dialectal names for the flower: incense, macerdushka, zenovka, matryoshka.
How to choose?
You can choose a seasoning at any supermarket, specialty seasoning store or pharmacy. It is usually sold in plastic or paper packaging, glass jars, or simply by weight.
You can buy quality oregano by paying attention to its main properties:
- Appearance (crushed dry leaves or flowers).
- Seasoning color (greenish brown, without any shade variation).
- Aroma (specific, characteristic of oregano).
- Shelf life (despite the fact that the spice is stored for a long time without loss of quality, it is better to choose a fresher product).
Oregano for weight loss
Oregano is one of the most effective weight loss spices. Nutritionists recommend drinking oregano tea or infusion for weight loss. Several glasses of fragrant drink a day will help normalize digestion, activate the processes of breaking down fats and removing toxins from the body, and also reduce hunger.
Tea with oregano is recommended to be brewed in a ratio of 1-2 teaspoons of dry herb to a cup of boiling water. The way to drink oregano for weight loss is very simple: just drink a glass of liquid before meals several times a day.
Oregano: beneficial properties and contraindications
Dry motherboard is widely used today as a seasoning, but on sale it is most often found under the name "oregano". Since ancient times, it has been used for the preparation of incense, in particular for church incense. The ancient blades of grass had no doubt that the spirits of evil could not stand the smell of oregano and used the dry plant for healing rituals.
Oregano is often confused with thyme, a semi-shrub that exudes a pleasant aroma. But these are completely different plants.
The main feature of oregano is a high content of essential oil (up to 1.5 percent) - a valuable medicinal product.
In addition to him, this plant contains:
- 40% phenols;
- 12% organic matter;
- 15% free alcohols;
- flavonoids;
- tannins;
- ascorbic acid;
- coumarin;
- thymol and other elements.
Oregano essential oil is used to treat skin and muscle problems. In addition, having strong antihistamine properties, it can calm toothache, relieve joint inflammation and spasms.
When oregano is contraindicated
It is strictly forbidden to use this plant in any form, as well as preparations with its content, for persons suffering from severe hypertension, pregnant women and nursing mothers, children, as well as adults whose bodies cannot tolerate certain substances contained in the plant.
It is also necessary to limit the use of oregano for people who have problems with blood vessels and suffer from stomach ulcers, renal or stomach colic and high acidity.
Important! Oregano during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that the trace elements included in its composition are capable of increasing the tone of the uterus, which is fraught with fetal loss.
Procurement of raw materials
Collect all the grass during flowering. It is advisable to take only the upper parts of the plant.Air dry in the shade. The temperature during drying should not exceed 35 ° C, otherwise the valuable essential oil will evaporate.
The flowering and leafy parts of the plant are used as medicinal raw materials. They are cut to a length of 20 cm and laid out in a layer of 5-7 cm on paper or cloth. Dry in a well-ventilated room or under a canopy, periodically turning over.
If, when bending, the leaves of the oregano break, then the raw material is considered dried. Then the grass is threshed or wiped on a coarse-mesh sieve, separating it from the stems. Store in well-closed glass jars for 3 years.
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Growing oregano from seeds on the site
If planted with seeds, then it is possible in spring and autumn, if propagated by dividing the rhizomes, it will take root in spring, autumn, and summer.
When growing oregano from seeds, the site is prepared in advance in the fall, cleaned and dug up the soil. In the spring, 1 / 3-1 / 4 buckets of humus, 1 tablespoon of superphosphate or 2 tablespoons of complete mineral fertilizer are applied to 1 m². The soil is dug up, leveled well, without leaving lumps, since the seeds are very small.
The beds are watered and the seeds are planted to a depth of 0.5–1 cm, row spacing is 25 cm. After sowing, the soil should be compacted and preferably mulched. Seedlings after planting oregano seeds in open ground appear in 2-3 weeks, so care must be taken that rapidly growing weeds do not drown them out. When thinning, the distance between plants is 15–20 cm, torn plants can be used for replanting.
Young oregano bushes need good growing conditions, then they will quickly get stronger and begin to develop rapidly, increasing the green mass.
During care, the crops are watered, with poor growth, they are fed with a weak solution of mineral fertilizer. After two months, the plants will be strong enough and will no longer need special care.
Collection and storage of medicinal herbs
For medicinal and cosmetic purposes, the entire upper part of the plant is used. Grass harvesting is carried out at the end of July, when oregano pleases with its abundant flowering. Collect only healthy plants with green clean leaves and loose flowers.
A herbaceous crop is best cut with a sharp knife to damage the root system. It is recommended to collect oregano in clean ecological zones - meadows, forest edges and fields.
Raw materials are dried in ventilated attic rooms or outdoors under a hinged roof. Usually, the grass is laid out in a not thick layer on a pallet or suspended in a shaded place, collected in small bunches. Periodically, as it dries, the plant should be turned over. Dried grass begins to crumble easily when completed. Dried flowers and leaves, when properly harvested, do not change color and leave a natural scent.
The finished chopped oregano is stored separately from other medicinal crops. It should be placed in a cardboard box or in a dry glass container. The grass is stored in dark places with limited moisture access. When stored properly, oregano in a jar can last for about three years.
Fresh leaves and inflorescences of the culture are sometimes stored in freezers. To do this, you need to cut parts of the grass and put in a small container and pour cold water. Containers with raw materials are frozen. In this form, the medicinal product can be stored for a couple of years.
Divide the bush
We propagate the plant by dividing the bush only in the spring when the shoots reach 1-2 cm (early May). Longer shoots will simply break when dividing, and the culture will accordingly take root poorly.
For transplanting, we prepare the composition of the soil the same as when sowing seeds.
We dig a bush with a pitchfork, wash off the soil and divide so that the delenki have 2-4 shoots. Since the roots of the culture are very sensitive to drying out, we immediately place them in water or immerse them in a clay mash. We plant it according to the scheme 30x30 cm, which will speed up, on the one hand, the closing of the tops, and on the other, will not leave an inch of land for weeds.
The transplanted plant will already give flowers in the same year and will even make it possible to prepare it.
Half of the summer has flown by, it's time to collect oregano
Many are interested in when to collect oregano for drying for the winter? It is better to do this in July - right after the plant is covered with bright pinkish-lilac flowers.
During the budding period, this culture becomes especially useful, as it accumulates the optimal amount of essential oils.
Herbalists are engaged in harvesting the plant until the first days of September.
Drying oregano should be done in a dark, well-ventilated area (for example, in the attic), away from sunlight. Electric dryers are generally not suitable for this herb. But in the case when there is no choice, experts advise taking an apparatus capable of creating a 35 ° C mode. If the drying temperature exceeds the permissible maximum, the plant will lose its beneficial properties.
Important! The end of the process is determined by the condition of the stems. When they break easily and at the same time a characteristic dry crackling sound is heard, then drying is complete.
Lovers of a fragrant drink from this plant are often interested in how to dry oregano for tea at home. Many do it directly on sheets of paper spread on the windowsill. To prepare the grass according to all the rules, the twigs must be periodically (at least four times a day) agitated, changing their position.
When prepared correctly, oregano smells good and has a bitter tart taste.
To preserve dried herbs, a place should be set aside from other medicines. The shelf life of dried oregano is 1 year.
