Monday, June 10, 2019

Drying Oregano and Making #Oregano Oil

This is a 2 part post: How to Dry Oregano and How to Make Infused Olive Oregano Oil. 

You need to know how to dry the oregano in order to make oregano oil. 




Things You Need:

Grow Oregano in an area that is alone. It loves to spread, and invade other plants. We planted ours off to the side of our house.

Kitchen Sheers or Scissors to cut the Oregano.

Running Water to wash the Oregano.

A few Towels to dry the Oregano.

A Food Processor to grind the Oregano.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil to make Oregano Oil.

A Mason Jar to mix the Oregano Oil.

A Sunny Window to heat the Oregano Oil.

A Wire Mesh to strain out the Oregano Oil.

Let's Get Started:

First off there is nothing wrong with just letting Oregano grow. Bees love it when it flowers. There's been years where I just let it go.

I find it easiest to cut a bunch at once. I use kitchen sheers to cut it.


You will find some Oregano is one single steam. Those are the easiest to remove the leaves. Others have branches. I pull the branches away, and set them aside. The yellow or withered leaves towards the bottom get put in the compost pile.


Wash Them!


Take the Leaves Off! 

Work against the grain of the plant. Hold the stem right under the clump of leaves towards the top. I do this because that part of the stem is the weakest, thinnest part. It tends to break. Use your other fingers to slide along the stem. The leaves come right off!



Take the top leaves off if they haven't flowered yet.


Soon enough you'll have a bunch of stems and Oregano leaves. 



Towel Time!

Fold a body towel in 1/2, put it on the floor, or up on a table. Spread the Oregano Leaves out on it to dry. It takes about 3 to 4 days. 

Grind Time!

You can feel when they are dried. Get out a food processor, or coffee grinder to grind them down.

Mason Jar Time!

Fill whatever size mason jar you want 1/2 full of dried Oregano leaves. It will look dusty with green.


Extra Virgin Olive Oil Time!

Fill the jar up with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Close the lid, and let it sit in a sunny window for 2 weeks. It helps to shake it once in awhile.  


Strain Time!

Get a fine wire mesh. Let the Oregano Oil run through. Discard the leaves. You can use Oregano Oil for salad dressings, Italian dishes and more.  

Health Properties of Oregano Oil:

You can read more about the health benefits here. We're all different, so what works for one person may not work for another.

1. It's a natural antibiotic

2. May help lower bad cholesterol

3. Powerful Antioxidant

4. Could help treat yeast infections

5. May improve gut health

6. May have anti inflammatory properties

7. Could relieve pain

8. May have cancer fighting properties

9. May help you loose weight

Have you made Oregano Oil before? What would you use the oil for? 

Disclaimer: I did not get anything to write this post. I just wanted to share.

2 comments:

Theresa Mahoney said...

I have never made my own, but I can just taste in poured over some pasta. It sounds great!

mail4rosey said...

I haven't made my own but I think it's awesome that you do!

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com