牛至又名止痢草、土香薷、小葉薄荷，為唇形科牛至屬多年生草本植物。主要分布于地中海地區至中亞、北非、北美及我國大部分地區，生于海拔500-3 600 m的山坡、路旁、灌叢、草地、林下。牛至味辛、性涼、無毒，全草可入藥，具有清熱解表、理氣化濕倒尿消腫之功效。臨床用于預防流感治療黃疽、中暑、發熱、嘔吐、急性胃腸炎、腹痛等癥，其散寒解表功用勝于薄荷。美國農業部的"植物化學和植物物種學"背景資料表明，牛至含有30多種抗菌化合物，是一種潛在的天然抗生素和藥物生長促進劑。（中國進出口網）

Oregano is a perennial with rose-purple or white flowers and a taste reminiscent of thyme. Its taste is zesty and strong and is commonly used in Italian dishes. Oregano is a hardy plant and makes a good ground cover. Oregano loves the sun; ensure your placement has full, strong sun for strong flavor; some folks plant later in the season for assured warm weather. Allow oregano to grow to about 4 inches and then pinch or trim lightly to encourage a denser and bushier plant. For thin plants, plant 8 to 10 inches apart. The plants will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and spread about 18 inches.