The Sandpoint Eater Ode to oregano

plant, but it makes the perfect addition to all the cuisines I try to master, including spicy Argentinian chimichurri.

I love the aroma of this aromatic herb and was especially delighted when, years ago, I came upon acres of it, growing wild and blooming on a sunny hillside in Italy, grazed upon by young cows in their sleek summer coats.

It had never occurred to me that it was more than an herb garden occupant and, even now, when I catch a whiff of my small patch, it draws me back to that long-ago fragrant field of bovines foraging in the

Italian countryside.

I’ve since learned that those clever (and handsome) Italian cattlemen might have been on to something. Recent research shows that oregano is an excellent supplement for cattle and chickens, and compounds in oregano may actually have antibacterial and other medicinal properties. It is also being studied by researchers from Aarhus University, in Denmark, to see if adding oregano to cattle feed can reduce the production of methane gas in the rumen of cattle, thus reducing methane gas production. So far, their research is quite promising; and, today, various livestock feeds and supplements contain oregano.

It’s good for us humans, too. For centuries, Mediterranean cultures have prescribed oregano as a medicinal herb. Now you can find a plethora of essential oils and extracts derived from oregano that contain potent antioxidants that may benefit the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as relieve inflammation.

In ancient times, oregano symbolized happiness and was used to combat sadness. It was also thought to bring luck to the Greek Goddess Aphrodite. So, besides being an aromat-