Health benefits of Oregano: A Powerful Herb in Your Kitchen
The name “oregano” originated from the Greek word “oros,” meaning “mountain,” and “ganos,” meaning “joy.” Therefore, the name basically means “mountain joy.”
The joy here is, you can cook Italian, Mexican, or Mediterranean dishes if you do appreciate oregano. The warm, balsamic and aromatic flavor has made it a special herb for centuries. However, it only became popular after World War II when it was brought home by American soldiers after the war.
The Health Benefits of Oregano:
Here are the health benefits of oregano and the science behind it.
This herb was already used for medicinal purposes before it became popular as a culinary spice. The chemical compounds of oregano can repel insects — the main reason why it’s been commonly used as a mosquito repellent.
During the Greek and Roman eras, oregano leaves were used to treat sores and muscle pain. They’re also considered as a remedy for stomachache.
Since this herb has numerous benefits, let’s discuss them briefly one by one.
What’s inside this magical herb?
Oregano contains various vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Potassium
Awesome! Who would’ve thought that these plain green leaves could provide these nutrients? There’s more! This herb is also rich in antioxidants and other compounds that can possibly treat and prevent many diseases and health problems.
These are the protective antioxidant compounds from the oregano leaves:
- Phenols
- Triterpenes
- Rosmarinic acid
- Oleanolic acid
However, the most significant benefits really came from the oil of oregano. There are two powerful compounds in the oregano oil, carvacrol and thymol.
Carvacrol has been known as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antimicrobial. It’s been used throughout history for the treatment of bacterial, parasitic, viral, and fungal infections.
Research has proven that carvacrol can kill certain harmful bacteria. The two compounds, carvacrol, and thymol have also been studied that they can inactivate the herpes simplex type 1 virus with a success rate of 90% in just an hour. Carvacrol has also inactivated hepatitis A in previous tests.
So now, can we call him “Superman?”
Well, maybe “Superman” isn’t enough! Carvacrol is also anti-inflammatory and can also prevent heart diseases, cancer, and autoimmune conditions.
How to use oregano:
- This herb is commonly used as a spice for your homemade salads, dressings, sauces, meats, and other recipes. It is the easiest and the tastiest way to consume a significant amount of oregano.
- Some of the dishes where adding this herb is perfect are Margherita Pizza, Pesto, Roasted Chicken, Tomato Salad, Grilled Pork, and Vegetable Soup.
- When using oregano to treat congestion, cough, or cold, simply make facial steam and mix the herb together with other healing herbs, such as lavender. Stand over the pot, cover your head with a blanket or any piece of cloth, and deeply inhale the steam for a couple of minutes.
- Oregano oil can be easily purchased. It can be used as a supplement or essential oil. In using it for sore muscles, headaches, or painful parts, mix the oil of this herb with a carrier oil ( you may use coconut or olive oil ), and rub it gently to the affected area. If taken orally, follow the directions on the bottle for the correct dosage.
After knowing everything about this herb, check your kitchen if you have some!
References
- Singletary, Keith PhD Oregano, Nutrition Today: May 2010 – Volume 45 – Issue 3 – p 129-138 doi: 10.1097/NT.0b013e3181dec789
- Nayely Leyva-López, Erick P. Gutiérrez-Grijalva, Gabriela Vazquez-Olivo, and J. Basilio Heredia*, Essential Oils of Oregano: Biological Activity beyond Their Antimicrobial Properties, doi: 10.3390/molecules22060989
- Jacob P. Veenstra and Jeremy J. Johnson, Oregano (Origanum vulgare) extract for food preservation and improvement in gastrointestinal health, doi: 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2703
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