Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Oregano
Pizza for Colds
Family: Labiatae; (includes Marjoram, Mint; Verbenaceae)
Genus and Species: Primarily Origanum Vulgare, O. Heracleoticum, O. Onites, and Lippia Graveo/ens, but also more than 40 other plants
Also known as: Wild marjoram, Mexican wild sage
Parts used: Leaves and stems
To most Americans, oregano is simply the seasoning on pizza. But to botanists, the word oregano can be a real headache. More than 40 plants in four botanical families go by the name oregano. For Healing, this confusion doesn’t matter much. All the plants called oregano taste similar and contain a similar oil, so they probably have similar effects.
Traditional Chinese physicians have used oregano for centuries to treat fever, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and itching skin conditions.
Much More Than a Topping
Europeans used it like marjoram, as an aromatic spice and as a digestive aid, arthritis treatment, expectorant for cough, colds, flu, and chest congestion, and as a menstruation promoter.
America’s 19th-century Eclectic physicians considered oregano “a gently stimulant tonic” and menstruation promoter. Other folk healers used oregano oil to treat toothache, relieve arthritis, and grow hair on bald heads.
Contemporary herbalists call oregano an expectorant, digestive aid, mild tranquilizer, and menstruation promoter.