Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Oregano The Safety Factor
Antispasmodic herbs often quiet the uterus as well as the digestive tract, but oregano appears to be an exception. The herb has never been scientifically shown to stimulate uterine contractions, but it has a long history as a menstruation promoter. One Oakland, California, pizza parlor enjoys a considerable local reputation for triggering labor in pregnant women at term. Who knows? Maybe it’s the oregano. Pregnant women may use culinary amounts, but they should stay away from medicinal preparations.
The medical literature contains no reports of harm from oregano.
For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, all the oreganos are considered safe in amounts typically recommended.
Oregano should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If oregano causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Harvest Your Own Spice
Among the dozens of plants called oregano, authorities generally recommend O. heracleoticum as the most flavorful and aromatic. It may be propagated from seeds, cuttings, or root divisions. Seeds are sometimes slow to germinate. For best aroma and flavor, O. heracleoticum needs light, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and full sun. Harvest when the plants begin to bloom.
Another tasty oregano is Lippia qraveoiens. It grows outdoors in the South and Southwest. Elsewhere it must be grown indoors in containers in sunny, south-facing windows. The soil should be well drained but need not be especially rich. Harvest when the plant begins to bloom.