All of us have heard about oregano. It is an amazing herb, which is used extensively for flavoring food items along with providing therapeutic results. Ancient Greek and Roman people considered it to be the symbol of happiness. The original meaning of oregano is ‘mountain joy’. Since the herb has amazing flavor, it has been used in pizza spice. Oregano is a rich source of vitamin A, E, C and K, vitamin B6 and other minerals like iron, folate, potassium, calcium, magnesium as well as fiber. The natural herb is also a potential source of phytochemicals, which have many health benefits.
Mentioned below are some health benefits offered by oregano:
1. Helps in improving heart health
Since oregano abounds in potassium, the herb helps in promoting healthy heart. Potassium is an integral part of any cell and various kinds of body fluids. People who take high amounts of sodium suffer from problems like high heart rate and increased blood pressure. Potassium in oregano helps in keeping blood pressure and heart rate under control. Oxidative stress, and heart diseases can be combated with oregano too. Moreover, this aromatic herb also contains abundant amounts of omega- 3 fatty acids, which help in inflammation reduction in the body along with lowering chances of heart diseases. Drinking a cup of oregano tea on a daily basis helps in improving heart health considerably.
2. Helps in boosting immune health
There are many components present in oregano and the two most important ones among them are thymol and rosmarinic acid. Both these components have powerful antioxidant properties. As a result, it helps in reducing the damage caused by free radicals and minimizes oxidative stress in the body. Free radicals when not controlled in the right manner can lead to various kinds of diseases in the body like cancer and other chronic diseases. These free radicals are actually byproducts of cellular metabolism, which have destructive nature and hamper immune health considerably. Add oregano to the diet and boost immune health considerably. Protect your body from silent killers and other harmful organisms with this herb.
3. Helps in improving bone health
Weak bones are a common problem in people as they start aging. With age, the bones begin to break down and weaken. To avoid this problem, it is recommended to increase the intake of vitamins and minerals in the diet. And this practice should begin from a very young age so that the problem of deficiency does not arise at all. For healthy bones health, some of the crucial minerals that are needed include manganese, calcium, iron, etc. Interestingly; oregano abounds in all these minerals. So if you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from weak bones and other bone related ailments like osteoporosis and arthritis, start including oregano in the diet right away.
4. Helps in treating common cold and flu
Common cold and flu are probably the most common health issue faced by innumerable people globally. Oregano has antiseptic and antioxidant properties, and these qualities help in dealing with cold and flu viruses successfully. Drinking oregano tea or adding oregano oil to orange juice and drinking the same can relieve cold symptoms. Flu is mainly caused by viruses. Oregano has antiviral properties and can help in fighting the viruses successfully. Symptoms of flu like headache, high fever, sore throat, cough, loss of appetite, vomiting, joint aches, and muscle pains can be dealt with easily with oregano. In a glass of water, add a few drops of oregano oil and drink the same once daily.
5. Helps in boosting digestive health
Nobody can be fit and healthy without a smoothly working digestive system. It is through this system that the body gets its nutrition and absorption. Important nutrients get absorbed in the system via this system. Oregano contains considerable amounts of fiber and this helps in boosting the digestive system considerably. Though this herb is used in very small amounts in food, it can have great impact on the digestive system. Fiber helps in bulking stool and enables successful excretion for removal of toxins and waste materials from the body. Gut health is improved drastically with intake of oregano thus increasing nutrient uptake. The food that you eat provides better benefits for your health.
6. Enhances detoxification of the body
Oregano is rich in different kinds of minerals and vitamins and is rich in nutrients, including calcium, vitamin K, manganese, iron and other kinds of organic components. This organic and aromatic herb helps in detoxifying the body from inside out, giving a deep cleansing action. Medical research has proved that people who consumed oregano had better liver functions and the toxic residual in their bodies was way lesser than people who didn’t take oregano. The process and speed of toxin elimination in the body was revamped with the inclusion of oregano in the diet.
7. Helps in relieving asthma attacks
Oregano contains compounds like flavonoids, carvacrol and terpenes. All these are elements that have strong lung-cleansing properties. During asthmatic attacks, the respiratory track and the bronchial tubes get congested not letting in oxygen in the lungs. The compounds in oregano help in clearing the bronchial tubes and the respiratory track successfully. Relief from asthma attacks can be obtained instantly. For asthma patients, it is recommended to drink oregano tea 4-5 times a day. The tea should be sweetened with honey. Another option is to extract the juice by crushing oregano leaves and consuming 1 tablespoon of the same every hour. It helps in relieving chronic cough and cold and asthma symptoms.
8. Helps in providing protection against cancer
It is a well-known fact that oregano is a great source of fiber. It helps in binding cancer causing cells and bile salts in the colon from where these get removed from the body. As a result, cholesterol is broken down in the body for making more bile salts. This reduces cholesterol levels in the body, reducing chances of colon cancer. Chances of breast cancer and prostate cancer can also be prevented with oregano for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Include oregano in any form in your diet and reap the benefits from the same.