Oregano

Oregano: The Panacea Of Nature

It is without a doubt one of the most famous aromatic plants whose name is directly linked to Summer and the traditional Greek table.

It is oregano, which was first encountered around 3000 BC, when it was used by the Assyrians. Its fragrance cannot be compared to any other aromatic plant and its health benefits are numerous.

Oregano is the herb that can “boast” quite rightfully of some powerful benefits in terms of your health.

Its name comes from the words “mount”, meaning mountain and “ganos”, meaning joy or pleasure which together mean the “joy of the mountains”. In Roman times, it was used for mainly medicinal purposes. Oregano is considered a staple herb in many cuisines around the world.

It has a strong flavour and brings a strong aroma to dishes, along with a hint of subtle sweetness. We find it fresh, dried or even as an oil, and all are said to have significant health benefits.

Although usually used in small quantities, oregano contains some important nutrients. Just one teaspoon of dried oregano can meet about 8% of your daily vitamin K needs.

From helping to fight bacteria to reducing inflammation, studies have revealed some of its impressive potential benefits.

Rich in Antioxidants

Oregano is rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that help fight free radicals in the body. Free radical accumulation has been linked to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease

Several studies have found that oregano and oregano oil are high in antioxidants. Oregano essential oil is particularly rich in carvacrol and thymol, two antioxidants that can help prevent damage to cells caused by free radicals.

Combined with other foods high in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables, oregano could provide a rich dose of antioxidants that can help improve your health.

Can help fight bacteria

Oregano contains certain compounds that have powerful antibacterial properties. A study showed that oregano essential oil helped inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two strains of bacteria that can cause infection.

Another test-tube study found that oregano was effective against 23 species of bacteria.

In addition, a test-tube study compared the antimicrobial activity of oregano, sage and thyme essential oils. Oregano was one of the most effective essential oils against bacteria, second only to thyme.

Could have anti-cancer properties

Oregano is high in antioxidants. These compounds can not only neutralize free radical damage, but can also help prevent cancer. Oregano and its constituents can help kill cancer cells.

One study treated human colon cancer cells with oregano extract and found that it stopped the growth of cancer cells.

Another study showed that carvacrol, one of the constituents of oregano, also helped to suppress the growth and spread of colon cancer cells.

Can help reduce viral infection

In addition to fighting bacteria, some test-tube studies have found that oregano and its constituents may also protect against certain viruses.

In particular, carvacrol and thymol are two oregano compounds that have been associated with antiviral properties.

Carbacrol deactivated a viral infection causing diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain within an hour of treatment.

Another study found that thymol and carbacrol inactivated 90% of the herpes simplex virus within just one hour.

Could reduce inflammation

Inflammation is a normal immune response that occurs as a result of disease or injury.

However, chronic inflammation is thought to contribute to the development of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune diseases.

Oregano is rich in antioxidants, which can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation.

It also contains compounds such as carbacrol that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In an animal study, carbacrol reduced swelling in the legs of mice by up to 57%.

Another animal study showed that a blend of thyme and oregano essential oils reduced the number of inflammatory markers in mice with colitis or inflammation of the colon.

Easy to add to your diet

Although you might think of oregano as a topping reserved exclusively for your table, this versatile herb can be used in many ways.

Try mixing whole oregano leaves into other herbs for a nutrient-packed salad or sprinkle the leaves on chili, soups or stews. You can also use it to make fresh pesto or salad dressing, in meat dishes or to freshen up the flavor of homemade sauces.

Oregano is available fresh, dried or as an oil, making it extremely easy to add to your diet.

Reduction of cholesterol

Studies have shown that oregano oil can help lower cholesterol.

In one study, 48 people with mildly high cholesterol were given diet and lifestyle advice to help lower their cholesterol. Thirty-two participants received oil in water after each meal.

After 3 months, those who received the oregano extract had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher HDL (good) cholesterol, compared to those who did not receive it.

The action of oregano oil in lowering cholesterol is believed to be the result of the phenols carvacrol and thymol.