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See also: Oregano Field Report
OREGANO
Although oregano is heavily associated with Italian cuisine it is likely that it originated in Greece. The word oregano comes from the Greek, meaning “joy of the mountain.” Ancient Greeks believed that cows that grazed on fields of oregano produced tastier meat. According to Aristotle, tortoises who swallowed a snake would immediately eat oregano to prevent death. Oregano is also believed to calm nerves and is use to cure sea sickness.
Oregano is actually a particular herb flavor, rather than a particular herb. There are several species in different families that impart this particular flavor and are known as oregano. (Origanum vulgare, Origanum syriacum, Lippia graveolens, Lippia palmeri, Origanum heracleoticum, Origanum X majoricum, Origanum majorana, Origanum onites, Coleus anboinicus, Thymus nummularius, etc.)
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