8 Benefits And Uses Of Oregano. Oregano grows mainly in the Mediterranean, where it is an important part of the diet. While it can make your dishes taste great, it also has many health benefits. It’s possible that oregano has potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as antibacterial or even antidiabetic properties. Additional research is necessary to determine whether oregano has the potential to manage depression or diabetes symptoms.
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What is Oregano?
Oregano is a popular herb, native to southwest Eurasia and the Mediterranean area. It has been a culinary ingredient and alternative medicine option for thousands of years. Oregano shares many similarities with mint, owing to their members’ shared family: Lamiaceae.
For this reason, the two have many of the same specialized organic components and share many of the same health benefits. The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant, but it is available in other forms too, like essential oil and capsule. Its oregano oil is an extremely concentrated form of oregano and should always be diluted.
Nutrition in Oregano
One tablespoon of dried oregano will supply six grams of protein, seven grams of fiber, and about nine grams of carbohydrate. It also contains minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. It’s a good source of vitamins like vitamin K, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Oregano also has essential oils with antioxidants like thymol and ocimene that can be used for anti-inflammation purposes.
Health Benefits of Oregano
oregano has many health benefits:
Oregano is a common spice that offers health benefits. The health benefits of oregano include:
Possibly Rich in Carvacrol
Carvacrol is a compound found in many aromatic plants like thyme, bergamot, and pepperwort. It’s been used in folk medicine for generations, and research suggests its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It also helps with fighting lifestyle diseases and food-borne illnesses.
Potential Antibacterial Activity
Oregano can potentially have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, according to research published in the Process Biochemistry journal. These properties may be due to thymol and carvacrol compounds.
The compounds may help defend the body against a wide range of bacteria that might affect your skin, gut, or other parts of your body. [9] [10]A 2019 study also showed these oils may help prevent Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria from developing in dairy and meat products.
[11]Research led by the Harvard Medical School found that these oils were able to fight against 11 different microbes that developed resistance to antibiotics. [12]While these properties are potentially therapeutic, more research is needed on whether adding oregano to your diet will be helpful.
May Relieve Depression
Certain research has suggested that oregano and its essential oil may help in lifting your mood. As recent as 2019, a study on rats found that oregano essential oil may help in reducing depressive-like behaviors resulting from chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).
Carvacrol, the only active constituent of this herb, is seen to improve dopamine levels in mice while also helping to generate feelings of well-being when taken regularly in a low concentration. The British Journal of Nutrition [17] suggests that extracts made from oregano leaves have amazing mental benefits as well.
May Help Manage Diabetes
Oregano herb can help diabetics manage their condition. A 2019 study mentions some in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic effects of the herb. It found that oregano extract helps lower high blood sugar levels with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to combat Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune inflammatory disorder.
May Aid in Digestion
Oregano is a tiny plant that contains about 0.5 grams of fiber per teaspoon. If you’re eating a small amount of oregano, it may positively affect your digestive health. Just because it’s so small doesn’t mean it can’t have a big impact. Fiber is an essential element of the gut and is necessary for normal function and good health.
May Improve Heart Health
By understanding a little more about the heart, you can take better precautions when eating high-fat foods. That’s why oregano is such an important herb to protect your heart. Research shows that oregano extracts may help regulate blood pressure and reduce hyperlipidemia.
Possible Antioxidant Potential
Oregano which is a spicy herb commonly used in cooking, has been found to contain flavonoids and phenolic acids that help alleviate chronic diseases. The herb also contains rosmarinic acid and thymol; both these act as powerful antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress in the body.—Oregano helps your immune system
Oregano Uses
Because of its strong taste, oregano is a great spice that’s used in many different types of dishes. It’s easy to add it a small amount and slowly increase if needed. Here are a few simple ways you can use it:
There is a lot of goodness in fresh oregano leaves, so they should be added to your salads.
Sauces require dried oregano for a certain flavor, whether you’re going with the classic Italian or a more robust Mexican-style.
What is the best way to season roasted chicken or Brussels sprouts? Oregano is a healthy, natural alternative.
A good topping for your pizza, curries, or soups would be oregano. You can easily chop it finely and add it to your favorite foods.