Oregano is widely considered as nature’s antibiotic. It is an
indispensable spice in Turkish, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, Latin
American and Italian cuisine, oregano is the must-have ingredient in
tomato sauces and pairs well with capers and olives. It may be one
reason why people who eat a Mediterranean diet tend to live longer and
healthier lives. The oil of the wild oregano plant has been shown to
kill unwanted bacteria, fungus, yeast, parasites and viruses and is a
powerful antihistamine.
Oregano is an important culinary and medicinal herb that has been
used in medicine and cooking for thousands of years with a number of
health benefits. It is a species of
Origanum, belonging to the mint family (
Lamiaceae).
It is one of the top five spices in the world with one of the
highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scores meaning it will more effectively neutralize free radicals.
Oregano typically grows 50 cm tall and has purple leaves around 2 to 3 centimeters in length.
The chemicals that give the herb its unique and pleasant smell are
thymol, pinene, limonene, carvacrol, ocimene, and caryophyllene
Not only does oregano provide food flavor, there are also a
substantial number of health claims associated with its potent
antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties.
Oregano is a rich source of:
- fiber
- iron
- manganese
- vitamin K – an important vitamin which promotes bone growth and the
maintenance of bone density and the production of blood clotting
proteins.
The herb is used to treat respiratory tract disorders,
gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, menstrual cramps, and urinary tract
disorders.
Oregano contains at least four compounds that soothe coughs and 19
chemicals with antibacterial action that may help reduce body odor. The
ingredients in oregano that soothe coughs may also help un-knot muscles
in the digestive tract, making oregano a digestive aid.
This familiar spice also contains compounds that can lower blood pressure too.
Oregano is also applied topically (onto the skin) to help treat a number of skin conditions, such as acne and dandruff.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF OREGANO
Excellent source of dietary antioxidants – a report published in the
Journal of Nutrition revealed that
oregano contains very high concentrations of antioxidants (i.e., >75 mmol/100 g).
Oregano contains numerous phytonutrients that have also been shown to
function as potent antioxidants that can prevent oxygen-based damage to
cell structures throughout the body protecting cells against the
effects of free radicals and improving your ability to fight infection.
In laboratory studies, oregano has demonstrated stronger anti-oxidant
capacity than either of the two synthetic (and toxic) anti-oxidants
commonly added to processed food BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA
(butylated bydroxyanisole). Additionally, on a per gram fresh weight
basis, oregano has demonstrated 42 times more antioxidant activity than
apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4
times more than blueberries.
Packed with nutrients – oregano is very rich in
fiber which is known to reduce high cholesterol levels and lower the
risk of colon cancer. In addition, the herb is an excellent source of
vitamin E, iron, calcium, omega fatty acids, manganese, and typtophan.
Fiber works in the body to bind to bile salts and cancer-causing
toxins in the colon and remove them from the body. This forces the body
to break down cholesterol to make more bile salts. These are just some
of the reasons that diets high in fiber have been shown to lower high
cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Antibacterial properties – oregano has shown antimicrobial activity in a number of studies. A group of Portuguese researchers found that
Origanum vulgare essential oils were effective against 41 strains of the food pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.
Oregano oil is a powerful antimicrobial, because of an essential compound called carvacol.
In Mexico, researchers have compared oregano to tinidazol, a commonly used prescription drug to treat infection from the amoeba
Giardia lamblia. These researchers found oregano to be more effective against
Giardiathan the commonly used prescription drug.
A team of British and Indian researchers reported that the essential
oil of Himalayan oregano has strong antibacterial properties that can
even kill the hospital superbug MRSA.
Professor Vyv Salisbury, who was part of the research, said
“We have done a few preliminary tests and have found that the
essential oil from the oregano kills MRSA at a dilution 1 to 1,000. The
tests show that the oil kills MRSA both as a liquid and as a vapor and
its antimicrobial activity is not diminished by heating in boiling
water.”
Effective against inflammations – scientists at Bonn
University, Germany, and the ETH Zurich, Switzerland, identified an
active ingredient in oregano – known as beta-caryophyllin (E-BCP) –
which may possibly be of use against disorders such as osteoporosis and
arteriosclerosis.
Anti-cancer properties – biologists at the United Arab Emirates University reported in the journal
PLoS ONE
that oregano exhibits anticancer activity by encouraging cell cycle
arrest and apoptosis (cancer cells commit suicide) of the MDA-MB-231
breast cancer line.
The scientists concluded “Our findings identify
Origanum majorana
as a promising chemopreventive and therapeutic candidate that modulate
breast cancer growth and metastasis.” Put simply, they believe
components in oregano may help slow down or prevent the progression of cancer in patients with breast cancer.
Oregano may be effective for the following (although more evidence is necessary):
- Cough
- Asthma
- Acne
- Dandruff
- Bronchitis
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Heart Conditions
- Allergies
- Intestinal parasites
- Arthritis
- Fatigue
- Repelling insects
- Menstrual cramps
How to Select and Store
Whenever possible, choose fresh oregano over the dried form of the
herb since it is superior in flavor. The leaves of fresh oregano should
look fresh and be a vibrant green in color, while the stems should be
firm. They should be free from darks spots or yellowing.
Even through dried herbs and spices like oregano are widely available
in supermarkets, you may want to explore the local spice stores in your
area. Oftentimes, these stores feature an expansive selection of dried
herbs and spices that are of superior quality and freshness compared to
those offered in regular markets. Just like with other dried herbs, when
purchasing dried oregano, try to buy that which has been organically
grown since this will give you more assurance that it has not been
irradiated.
Fresh oregano should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a
slightly damp paper towel. It may also be frozen, either whole or
chopped, in airtight containers. Alternatively, you can freeze the
oregano in ice cube trays covered with either water or stock that can be
added when preparing soups or stews. Dried oregano should be kept in a
tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place where it
will keep fresh for about six months.
By
Michelle Toole of Healthy Holistic Living
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