What are the Health Benefits of Oregano? The 7 Health Benefits of Oregano
Oregano is an important part of the Mediterranean diet. While it does make your recipes tasty, it also has many health benefits. It may have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Moreover, oregano may help improve digestion. It may also have the potential to manage diabetes, relieve the symptoms of depression, and improve heart health.
Oregano is a popular herb and its scientific name is Origanum vulgare. It helps to enhance the flavor of your food and also boost your overall health.
Oregano is native to southwest Eurasia and the Mediterranean area. It has been a culinary ingredient and an alternative medicine option for thousands of years. Interestingly, it is closely related to mint as it belongs to the same family- Lamiaceae. For this reason, the two share many similar organic components and have many of the same health benefits.
The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant. Its taste ranges from bitter, zesty, and astringent to sweet and mild. The flavor depends on the climate it grows in. The aroma and flavor of the herb are better in its dried form rather than the fresh one.
Aside from being used as an herb, it is also available in other forms like essential oil and capsule. Oregano oil is an extremely concentrated form of oregano and as it is very potent, it should always be diluted.
Oregano may have potential antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Research published in the Process Biochemistry journal suggests that these properties may be due to the presence of thymol and carvacrol in the herb. These compounds may help defend the body against a wide range of bacteria that can affect the skin, gut, and other parts of the body.
Also, a recent 2019 study showed that these compounds help to prevent Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria from developing in dairy and meat.
Research led by the Harvard Medical School showed that the oils in oregano are able to fight against 11 microbes that had developed resistance to antibiotic drugs.
While these properties of oregano and its other forms are potentially therapeutic, more research is needed to confirm if a dietary addition of this herb can be beneficial.
2. May Relieve Depression
Oregano and its essential oil may help in uplifting your mood.
A study conducted on rats in 2019 showed that oregano essential oil may help in reducing depressive-like behavior which results from chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).
Carvacrol, found in this herb, is linked to improving dopamine levels in mice. It is also found to help generate feelings of well-being when taken on a regular basis in a low concentration.
The British Journal of Nutrition also suggests that extracts made from oregano leaves may help in enhancing mental wellbeing.
Oregano herb can help you in managing diabetes.
A 2019 study mentions some in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic effects of this herb. It found that oregano helps in lowering high blood sugar levels.
Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder. Research suggests that oregano extracts help to alleviate it through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
5. May Improve Heart Health
Oregano can help protect your heart.
Multiple research studies show that oregano extracts may help in regulating blood pressure.
It is also helpful in reducing hyperlipidemia, which is a condition characterized by high levels of fat in the blood.
While many essential oils from herbs help in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, not many studies have been conducted on oregano extracts or essential oils.
Use fresh oregano on or in your meals, such as in salads, soups, stews, Medical Medium Healing Broth, stir-fries, dips, marinara, sauces, dressings, on top of steamed vegetables, pasta, and so on.
You can also supplement with oil of oregano.
What is Oregano?
Oregano is a popular herb and its scientific name is Origanum vulgare. It helps to enhance the flavor of your food and also boost your overall health.
Oregano is native to southwest Eurasia and the Mediterranean area. It has been a culinary ingredient and an alternative medicine option for thousands of years. Interestingly, it is closely related to mint as it belongs to the same family- Lamiaceae. For this reason, the two share many similar organic components and have many of the same health benefits.
The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant. Its taste ranges from bitter, zesty, and astringent to sweet and mild. The flavor depends on the climate it grows in. The aroma and flavor of the herb are better in its dried form rather than the fresh one.
Aside from being used as an herb, it is also available in other forms like essential oil and capsule. Oregano oil is an extremely concentrated form of oregano and as it is very potent, it should always be diluted.
Health Benefits of Oregano
1. Potential Antibacterial Activity
Oregano may have potential antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Research published in the Process Biochemistry journal suggests that these properties may be due to the presence of thymol and carvacrol in the herb. These compounds may help defend the body against a wide range of bacteria that can affect the skin, gut, and other parts of the body.
Also, a recent 2019 study showed that these compounds help to prevent Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria from developing in dairy and meat.
Research led by the Harvard Medical School showed that the oils in oregano are able to fight against 11 microbes that had developed resistance to antibiotic drugs.
While these properties of oregano and its other forms are potentially therapeutic, more research is needed to confirm if a dietary addition of this herb can be beneficial.
ALSO READ: How To make Ginger Tea: Benefits
2. May Relieve Depression
Oregano and its essential oil may help in uplifting your mood.
A study conducted on rats in 2019 showed that oregano essential oil may help in reducing depressive-like behavior which results from chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).
Carvacrol, found in this herb, is linked to improving dopamine levels in mice. It is also found to help generate feelings of well-being when taken on a regular basis in a low concentration.
The British Journal of Nutrition also suggests that extracts made from oregano leaves may help in enhancing mental wellbeing.
3. May Help Manage Diabetes
Oregano herb can help you in managing diabetes.
A 2019 study mentions some in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic effects of this herb. It found that oregano helps in lowering high blood sugar levels.
Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder. Research suggests that oregano extracts help to alleviate it through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
ALSO READ: How To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
4. May Aid in Digestion
A teaspoon of oregano contains about 0.5 grams of fiber. Although it’s a small amount, it may have a possibly major impact on your digestive system.
Fiber is an essential element of a healthy digestive system, as it can increase the bulk of your stool and stimulate peristaltic motion, which moves food through the digestive tract and excretes it efficiently. Also, fiber helps maintain the health of the gut and increases nutrient uptake, so the food you eat does more for you!
A teaspoon of oregano contains about 0.5 grams of fiber. Although it’s a small amount, it may have a possibly major impact on your digestive system.
Fiber is an essential element of a healthy digestive system, as it can increase the bulk of your stool and stimulate peristaltic motion, which moves food through the digestive tract and excretes it efficiently. Also, fiber helps maintain the health of the gut and increases nutrient uptake, so the food you eat does more for you!
5. May Improve Heart Health
Oregano can help protect your heart.
Multiple research studies show that oregano extracts may help in regulating blood pressure.
It is also helpful in reducing hyperlipidemia, which is a condition characterized by high levels of fat in the blood.
While many essential oils from herbs help in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, not many studies have been conducted on oregano extracts or essential oils.
6. Possible Antioxidant Potential
According to a 2017 study published in the Plants journal by a team of Mexican researchers, herbs like oregano contain flavonoids and phenolic acids that help to alleviate chronic diseases.
Oregano also contains rosmarinic acid and thymol. Both of these act as powerful antioxidants that help in reducing oxidative stress in the body. Thus, adding it to your diet may help improve your immune system!
According to a 2017 study published in the Plants journal by a team of Mexican researchers, herbs like oregano contain flavonoids and phenolic acids that help to alleviate chronic diseases.
Oregano also contains rosmarinic acid and thymol. Both of these act as powerful antioxidants that help in reducing oxidative stress in the body. Thus, adding it to your diet may help improve your immune system!
How To Use Oregano
Use fresh oregano on or in your meals, such as in salads, soups, stews, Medical Medium Healing Broth, stir-fries, dips, marinara, sauces, dressings, on top of steamed vegetables, pasta, and so on.
You can also supplement with oil of oregano.
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