Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is also known as Common and Wild Marjoram, Greek Oregano and Winter Oregano.
Oregano is a warm and aromatic yet slightly bitter herb in the mint family.
The name is derived from the Greek, meaning “mountain of joy.”
Oregano can be made into a tea, tincture, and has powerful anti-bacterial properties.
The Oregano I harvest comes complete with flowers, so is especially potent for tea!
Some interesting folklore concerning oregano…
The Greeks and Romans used it for a variety of benefits.
~Among the Greeks, if Marjoram grew on a grave, it augured the happiness of the departed, and among both the Greeks and Romans, it was the custom to crown young couples with Marjoram.
~Oregano corresponds to Venus and air.
~It is an herb of happiness, tranquillity, good luck, well-being, and protection.
~Promotes joy, strength, vitality, and added energy.
~Make a Tea or burn as an incense.
~Plant Oregano around your house for protection, and scatter it inside the house to protect it.
~Carry it in a sachet or charm to bring good luck and vitality.
~It is also said to protect and promote psychic dreams when worn on the head during sleep.
~A protective herb with the power to ward off troublesome and meddling individuals, especially those who may wish to interfere with one’s personal financial dealings.
Dried Lavender is also available.
The use of Lavender goes back into the mists of time…
~Both the Greeks and the Romans had many uses for it, the most popular being for bathing, cooking, as an ingredient in perfume, for well-being, and as an insect repellent.
~English folklore advises a mixture of lavender, mugwort, chamomile, and rose petals to attract sprites, fairies, brownies, and elves.
~Lavender is used in teas, tinctures, and added to baked goods.
~Lavender is an aphrodisiac, and is still one of the most recognized scents in the world.
~Put two handfuls of Lavender Flowers into a square of cheesecloth and tie with a white ribbon.
Use this aromatic “wash-cloth” in place of your usual one.
Rosemary, or Rosmarinus Officinalis, is also known as Romero, and Dew of the Sea.
Dried Rosemary is also available in 1/2 ounce bags from the gardens of Bealtaine Cottage.
Rosemary is most famous for its use in cooking.
Bees love Rosemary!
Burn Rosemary for a restorative incense.
In place of more costly incense, the ancients used Rosemary in their religious ceremonies.
An old French name for it was Incensier.
I use dried Rosemary in my Wheaten Soda Bread!
It is delicious!
Thank you for supporting this blog
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post! For the past couple of years I have been exploring herbalism and it has been a beautiful study in how to heal ourselves with the fruits of the land. But through that study I have also been wanting find out more about the traditions around different plants, that’s part of why I was so attracted to your YouTube channel. Although I am not Celtic, there is something about those beautiful old ways that I am deeply attracted to. Thank you for sharing so much information.
I can almost smell them 🙂
and the butterfly card is lovely.
The Ostara Hare brought some sunshine here, hope she brought you some too.
Blessings x
The weather is fabulous, just fabulous!
Blessings to you!
Colx
Hello Colette
I’m finding your blog really inspiring – have decided that what I need is loads more trees! If you’re interested in a look round my place, I blog at http://homeonthehill.wordpress.com/
Carrie x
Hi there Carrie!
Trees are the most important aspect of our environment and good to hear you’ll be planting more! I had a look at your blog and it is interesting to see the garden evolve…got as far as the brick steps, what a find! An acre is a pretty large garden too, so trees would be a way of cutting down on all the maintenance!
Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage
Colx