Oregano de la Sierra

An attractive herb with small, shiny dark green leaves and lavender flowers appearing in showy pom-pom whorls. The leaves have a bright lemony mintiness when fresh, and when dried are spicily aromatic, giving off a deep, complex, and pungent fragrance of Oregano. Traditional Native American usage includes alleviating colds and influenza, and as a skin wash or tincture for disinfecting wounds. The tea of dried leaves and flowers is tasty, while the leaves dried and pulverized make an oregano-like spice for protein dishes and salad dressings.