of freshly dried oregano hang, scenting the hot breezes flowing through the ncient,narrow,cob- bled streets.A small pinch can transform a simple dish into fla- vorful cuisine. Herbaceous plants belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae ), Orig- anum are distantly related to mint, sage,and basil.More than 50 types of Origanum exist,as oreganos and marjorams share the same genus name.Some make great culinary herbs,others excellent landscaping plants. The Origanum family is among the oldest known cultivated herbs. According to the ancient Greeks, the goddess Aphrodite was the first to tame sweet marjoram,and its fragrance came from her gentle touch.Another story tells that when young Wild Marjoram of King Cinyras of Cypress ’court dropped the precious perfumes he was carrying,he fainted from fright and dismay.Then,slowly,he began to metamorphose into this herb. The Greeks were happy when their goats fed on oregano,as the resulting meat would have a better flavor.They also knew that if oregano grew on a tomb,the deceased rested in peace.Young couples in both Greece and Rome once wore wreath crowns of oregano.A lunar and mercurial herb, Origanum vulgare was consid- ered to have aphrodisiac and reju- venating properties,and was valu- able for those over 40 to conserve their youthful (ahem)fitness. Recipes using oregano appear in the only Roman cookery book (Apicii,Artis Magiricae,Libri X ) passed down to us.Apicius, Roman,wrote it in the first century. Some dishes sound quite palatable, such as a Patina of Anchovy,made with rue and oregano.The author mentions oregano as one of the herbs in an aromatic salt,as well as an ingredient in a sauce for boiled meats. It ’s no wonder that when our

Panax, comes from the Greek word panacea, or “cure all.” While ginseng certainly doesn’t cure every disease, hundreds of research studies have confirmed that it does increase endurance, relieve fatigue, bolster immunity, help regulate cholesterol and blood sugar, and enhance mental functioning. The results of these studies also support the traditional use of ginseng as a chi (or vitality) tonic. In China, ginseng is routinely recommended as a restorative for the elderly and anyone in a weakened condition. Two species of ginseng commonly appear as tonics in herbalists’ repertoires: Panax ginseng, which grows in China, and Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng, a native to the northeastern United States. The two share similar properties. In fact, Native Americans used ginseng in much the same way as the Chinese did, while healers in China highly prize American ginseng. Benefits: In research studies, ginseng has clearly been shown to enhance physical and mental performance and help protect the body against stress. Scientists have identified dozens of compounds in ginseng, collectively called ginsenosides, responsible for the beneficial effects of the herb. While theories abound as to how ginseng works, many experts believe the herb positively influences hormonal reactions, particularly those related to the body’s stress response (commonly referred to as the “fight-or-flight” response). In daily life, we contend with a variety of stress-inducing factors, from the environmental (cold temperatures, airborne toxins) to the emotional (fear, anxiety). Ginseng helps lower levels of stress hormones called glucocorticoids, both immediately after stressful incidents and also during periods of prolonged stress. This helps lessen the wear-and-tear on the body caused by stress. Next >>