What are the health benefits of Oregano? Oregano is not just something that is put on top of a pizza or served with a pasta dish or a pretty topping on soup.
Oregano is widely available in many grocery stores. But did you know that it has been used for thousands of years to treat medical conditions.
I have been using Oregano for a few years now and thought I would share it’s amazing values with you.
What is Oregano?
Oregano is a flowering plant which belongs to the mint family.
Scientific Name: Organum Vulgare
It is native to temperate Western and Southwestern Eurasia and the Mediterranean region.
The oregano plant grows about 20 to 80cm in height.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil contains a compound called carvacrol that has antimicrobial properties.
Nutritional Values of Oregano
Oregano contains very important nutrients in one teaspoon of dried oregano.
It contains fibre, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin E and vitamin K. Vitamin K is for bone growth and maintaining bone density.
The Benefits of Oregano
It’s Antibacterial
When researching I found that because of its strong antibacterial properties it protects against the hospital super bug, MRSA. There has been an award-winning study (2008) on this by Professor Salisbury of the University of the West of England.
In my personal use of the oregano oil, I have found it very effective in healing. I was amazed when my mother had a sty on her left eye and used one drop a day of our diluted recipe, after two days we could clearly see an improvement. The redness had completely gone and the swollen spot had gone down.
When I get a spot on my face. I just add one drop and forget about it, because I know now that it will completely clear it up. I have seen this time and time again.
It’s Anti-inflammatory
Oregano Oil has been known to reduce swelling by up 57%. As I mentioned earlier about my mother’s eye.
Oregano can also relief an inflamed colon. Many positive results have been shown in research.
Scientific studies have concluded that oregano can successfully protect the human body against many types of viruses. The antioxidants within oregano play an amazing heavy-duty role in warding off infections that can be harmful to the body.
I myself take a couple of drops under my tongue every morning. I have found out that by doing so the properties in oregano oil goes straight into the blood stream so that it can get to work faster than going through the colon.
Kills Intestinal Parasites
Taken regularly Oregano will kill intestinal parasites, which can live in the gastrointestinal tract. These parasites can cause a lot of discomfort and can progress into more serious diseases.
I have used oregano tea after evenings out at restaurants with friends. I find this is a great way to help with bloating.
Treats Menstrual Cramps
Great for treating menstrual cramp, which many women are unaware? Oregano is an effective pain reliever, it can reduce the intensity and discomfort of menstrual cramps and pain.
The options of taking the oregano are to chew the fresh leaves two to three times a day. If that option does not sound to appealing to you, the other way to take it will be to make it into a tea, which you could drink hot or cold. One teaspoon of dried oregano in a cup and let sit for few minutes and you are good to go.
The Menopause
To prevent premature menopause studies has shown that taking oregano regularly could prevent this.
If preventing menopause is not an option like myself, then the symptoms are what needs to be relieved, then drinking, eating, taking the oil regularly is what is needed.
I take oregano with almost every meal, along with taking a couple of drops of the oil every morning. To be honest amongst my friends that are going through the menopause, I am the only one that does not break out into a heated sweat on our nights out. The key here is to be constant with taking it.
Good Heart Health
Oregano is an antioxidant which will repair the oxidative stress.
Oregano has shown that it treat many types of heart diseases. This is due to its rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. It can reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart complaints.
Oregano has an incredible source of potassium, which is an important part of our cell and body fluids. It can also reduce the levels of blood pressure.
Reduce Body Weight
Many people who are trying to lose weight, and many can have inflammation within their fat cells. In taking Oregano, this will reduce the inflammation with those fat cells and in turn some weight loss is achieved.
By adding dried or fresh Oregano leaves you will be adding a rich source of dietary fibre, which is vital in helping to keep a healthy gut. This is a very important part of any weight loss journey.
It can also stimulate the increase of white blood cells and speed up metabolism.
Personally I take oregano to maintain a healthy body. But have noticed that I maintained or lost weight over the last year of taking it. Which is really good because I have not gained.
It’s Got Antioxidants
Oregano is loaded with antioxidants which numerous studies have discovered. Antioxidants help to heal damage from free radicals in the body. Free radicals can seriously damage the cells in the body. Along with a nutritious diet, oregano can benefit the body and help it to function much more smoothly.
Cancer Protection
Oregano is a power house in itself. With the many antioxidants, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory it is not just brilliant at combating infections and viruses, it is also a main player in treating diseases such as cancer.
There are many trails that have shown and are showing the positive effects of Oregano on cancer cells. Such as prevention of growth and actually killing the cancers cells.
Other Benefits
I will list below some other health benefits of the amazing herb.
- Foot fungus
- Nail fungus
- Sinus infections
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Acne
- Dandruff
- Insect repellent
- Bronchitis
- Toothache
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Heart condition
- Allergies
- Intestinal parasites
- Earache
How Can You Consume Oregano?
You can add dried or fresh Oregano to foods whilst cooking or just before eating. It can be added to rice dishes, pasta dishes, and salad dishes. You can be creative there are no right or wrong ways to do this.
Making Oregano tea. You could use fresh leaves or dried leaves to make this tea. A little goes a long way. A teaspoon of dried leaves in a cup with hot water and let it sit for a few minutes and you are good to go. You can also drink it cold, which is what I do most of the time. Only one cup of oregano tea a day is fine.
Diluting Oregano Essential oil.
Oregano essential oil is a very powerful oil and requires dilution before use.
100g bottle you could start with 10 drops of oregano essential oil. This can be added to a carrier of a natural oil like Olive Oil, Grape seed Oil, Coconut Oil, to name a few.
I personally use Olive oil or Grape seed oil for no other reason than I like these oils and always have them on hand in my home.
Here is a Video from Dr Axe on the benefits of Oregano oil
Benefits of Oregano Tea Video I thought might interest you.
What do you Think?
Leave me a comment below to answer the questions below. I would be really be interested to know your thoughts.
Let me know if you have used oregano for medicinal uses?
What do you use Oregano for?
You can get your oregano essential oil HERE.
Please like and share this post.
Thank you for your visit
Jennifer
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Wow I had no idea that oregano could be used for so many things. You really do a great job of championing the benefits,especially health wise for what I thought was just a tasty topping! Really well written and put together site. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your comments. Yes Oregano is truly a wonder plant. Let me know if you try it.
Hi Jennifer.
You just blew me away with all of this wonderful information about Oregano. I had absolutely no idea about any of this. You can rest assured that I will be adding this wonderful herb to my salads and veggies and pasta from now on.
Thank so much for getting this amazing information out there for people like me. I know this article will help many people.
All the best.
Thank you Wendi for you wonderful comment, I really appreciate it. Yes Oregano is truly a wonder herb and does so many good things.
I knew oregano was a healthy choice – but WOW! Mahalo for this very useful information.
Hi Vinetta, Thank you so much for you comment, I really appreciate it. Yes Oregano is an amazing herb.
When I first moved to Thailand I was amazed by Thai dishes served. You will see many different leaves serve as well. Among those fresh leaves you will also find Oregano freshly served. I often avoid eating it because i was not used to it and because of its smell and taste. It really goes well with spicy food and Thai people like that. After reading through this article, I now have some fare understanding of the vital benefits Oregano has for my health. I will try little by little when served the next time.
Thanks Jennifer for this very informative article.
Paul.
Thank you Paul for visiting JADa Therapy much appreciated.
Yes Oregano is a herb that is sometimes overlooked as nothing more than food decoration that is left on the side of the plate. When in fact it is a powerhouse for helping the body to heal and in maintaining good health.
Thank you
Jennifer