Oregano Origanum vulgare - Wild marjoram Often confused with sweet marjoram, but herbalists believe that oregano is better medicinally. The generic name is said by some to be an amalgam of the two Greek words, óros and gános, meaning ‘mountain brightness’ or ‘shining mountain’. An eastern Mediterranean native, the plant has a long history of use in medicine and it was used by the ancient Greeks in poultices for sores, aching muscles and rheumatic pains in limb joints. The herb was taken to the New World by the early colonists largely for the same medicinal uses. They also used it, infused, as a tea to treat bronchitis and asthma and its digestive properties were employed in treating gastro-intestinal disorders. Oregano contains the antiseptic thymol and also has anti-flammatory, expectorant and digestive properties, and modern herbalists still recommend it for all the above properties, as well as for easing coughs, colds, flu and as an antiseptic mouthwash for mouth and throat infections. The dried herb is very popular in Italian cooking 100g fresh oregano contains 33 kcalories, 5.37g carbohydrate, 3.74g fibre, 1.20mg sodium, 0.92g protein, 575 µg Vitamin A and 3.67mg iron.