Oregano
Posted by: Fats in: Takaw at Sursur!Another early day - up for breakfast at 5:30AM - tupig (glutinous rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and baked over live charcoals) and a kind of naam bread with cheese (bought from the mall bakery). And just water. It would be good to have water first and coffee for a bit later. The chamomile honey tea was also very good, it smelled so nice and indeed made me feel very sleepy I suppose because it reminds me of the tea in the apartment in Sierre, Switzerland where I stayed for a month … and it was so cold. 
Maybe I can take a look at oregano teas … there’s lots of oregano growing in the garden now. It’s a local remedy for coughs.
No rain this evening or dawn, although yesterday there was a bit of drizzle, quite nice.
There’s oregano info here (text reproduced below) but the photo shows a different variety of oregano. The one we have at home is different, well at least ours hasn’t flowered yet.
Oregano
Latin name: Origanum vulgare
Other names: Mountain Mint, Wild Marjoram, Winter Marjoram, WintersweetA Remedy For
Oregano is considered a remedy for respiratory problems such as coughs and bronchitis, although there is no conclusive proof of its effectiveness. Unverified uses in folk medicine include treatment of bloating, gas, urinary tract problems, painful menstruation, rheumatoid arthritis, swollen glands, and lack of perspiration.What It Is; Why It Works
It’s difficult to think of a common kitchen herb like Oregano as a medical remedy, but it has in fact been used as a drug since the time of the ancient Greeks and Chinese. In China, doctors prescribed it to relieve fever, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and itchy skin, while the Greeks made compresses from the leaves to treat sores and aching muscles.The primary ingredients in Oregano are thymol and carvacrol, which are also found in thyme. These compounds, researchers have found, help loosen phlegm in the lungs and relieve spasms in the bronchial passages. Many commercial cough remedies, including cough drops and skin rubs such as Vicks VapoRub, contain thymol.
Harvested during the flowering season and dried on the field or under a roof, Oregano has bright purple flowers and an aromatic scent. Its medicinal value lies in the oil found in its leaves.
Avoid If…
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Oregano.Special Cautions
At customary dosage levels, Oregano poses no problems.Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
No harmful effects are known.How to Prepare
You can make an Oregano tea by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 heaping teaspoon of the dried herb, steeping for 10 minutes, then straining. The tea may be sweetened with honey.
To make an additive for the bath, pour 1 quart of water over 100 grams (31/3 ounces) of Oregano, steep for 10 minutes, strain, and add to a full bathtub.Typical Dosage
Sweetened Oregano tea may be taken internally as needed. The unsweetened tea may be used as a gargle or mouthwash.Overdosage
No information on overdosage is available.
