December 2025 Full Moon

Here we are, the last full moon of 2025! Tonight’s moon is known as the Long Night’s Moon or Frost Moon. I’m choosing to highlight an herb that is still growing well in my garden bed despite our recent light frost - Oregano.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is often overlooked as a medicinal herb and I’m determined to help change that! Energetically, Oregano is hot and diffusive. Its heat helps to break up stagnation in the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Like many other members of the lamiaceae family it is anti-microbial and a good choice for bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

I tend to use it for boggy, damp, stuck conditions in the respiratory system. It is a stimulating expectorant meaning it helps clear the lungs of congestion. It works similarly to thyme in this way and I love the combination of the two in cough syrup.

That same dispersive or clearing nature works equally well in the digestive system. Oregano is an ideal choice for folks who have slow to empty stomachs, heaviness long after eating, or slow transit times to the bowels. A strong tea of Oregano and Fennel has long been used throughout the Mediterranean for bloating and gas.

Oregano is an emmenagogue, meaning it stimulates delayed menstruation. It moves stagnation through the pelvis and is very useful for newly menstruating humans who experience signs of coldness. Safety Note: this function makes it contraindicated (beyond culinary amounts) during pregnancy.

Oregano essential oil is a very popular remedy often sold as ‘oil of oregano.’ There is no doubt the essential oil is potent and fast acting! This however makes it easy to exceed safe dosages. I do not recommend using the essential oil unless you are under the guidance of a trained aromatherapist. This preparation has too many safety concerns for me; I prefer to stick to the whole plant.

Magically Oregano is very similar to Thyme. It is associated with the planet Venus and used in spells for protection, healing, good health, and luck. It was often burned in ceremonial places throughout the Mediterranean as a way to cleanse and amplify spiritual vibrations.

So, as you open your spice drawer this season to cook all your holiday favorites I invite you to spend a few more minutes with Oregano. You’ll find it is so much more than spaghetti sauce!