Common Name: Mexican Oregano

General Information

Lippia graveolens is an aromatic, slender shrub or small tree that can grow up to 9 metres tall, but is usually smaller and rarely allowed to grow more than 1 metre tall in cultivation[].
A very popular culinary herb in Mexico and surrounding countries, the leaves are widely used as a flavouring, especially as a replacement for oregano, and are often sold in local markets[]. The leaves are also sometimes found for sale in speciality stores outside of the plants native range[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central America from Costa Rica, north to Mexico and southern N. America.

Habitat

Dry areas[]. Rocky slopes or damp thickets on plains at elevations of 350 metres or less[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, usually found growing in drier regions, the plant is intolerant of frost - even more so under wet conditions[].
Prefers a position in full sun in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil[]. Prefers a light soil[].

Edible Uses

The leaves have an intense aroma of oregano and are commonly used, especially in central America, as a flavouring in tomato pastes and other dishes that require a strong oregano flavour[]. The leaves are often used by the food industry instead of the true oregano[]. Many people find them preferable to the European oregano[]. They are more pungent than European oregano[].

The dried leaves can be used to make a herbal tea[].

An essential oil, obtained from the plant by steam distillation, is often used in the food industry as an oregano flavouring[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the plant is credited with anti-diabetes properties, and is also used as a treatment for dysentery, as an intestinal antiseptic, a febrifuge and to regulate menstruation. If taken during pregnancy, it can cause abortion[]. A syrup made from the leaves is used to relieve coughs and colds[]..

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Basal or nodal softwood cuttings[].
Cuttings of semi-ripe wood.

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