Oregano for Delight

Oregano, Origanum vulgare

Oregano’s message is delight, or more literally mountain delight. Oregano is a combination of two Greek words – oros meaning mountain and ganos meaning delight, joy, or brightness. We’ve planted some in our Memoir Garden to remind us that writing a memoir is similar to climbing a mountain. Some days the climb will be easy as we traverse a gentle slope. Other days the rugged terrain is almost more than we can bear, causing us to frequently pause and rest. It is tempting to turn around and descend at this point. Yet each change in higher elevation alters our view and gives us a new perspective. Enjoy the delight of the ascent, even when it is difficult.

Today there are more than 50 types of oregano, but the original oregano grew wild in the fields of Greece and later in Italy and Turkey. Ancient Greeks allowed their cattle to graze on oregano, believing that it improved the flavor of the meat. However, it was its culinary use in Italy, centuries later, which brought popularity to oregano in the U.S. World War II GIs liked the foods they ate in Italy, especially the fragrant pizza. When they returned to cities and towns across America, they wanted that same taste so the demand for oregano grew rapidly.

I grow both Greek and Italian oregano, drying the long green aromatic sprigs and filling my large mason jar in the summer and replenishing it again in the fall to ensure I have ample during the winter months. We plant oregano in our Memoir Garden as a reminder to accept the challenge of climbing the mountain. The journey may be difficult but there is delight in many of the views along the way and in the achievement of reaching our goal.

Visit our Writer’s Store with its products for encouragement and sharing that feature many of the herbs from our Memoir Garden.