Oregano is among the typical herbs from the original land, specifically Lamiaceae, which comes from the mint family. It has found its use in adding flavor to foods for decades.
Oregano is a vital herb that has shown many benefits on human health. This herb mostly appears in Mediterranean cuisines in dried and fresh forms. It contains a powerful flavor that brings warmth to these cuisines. Also, it diagnoses many health conditions, introduces sweetness. These benefits may be well understood by the people who add them to pizzas and pasta sauces for seasoning. Many of these benefits of oregano are not known to many people. This article will exhaustively discuss the health benefits linked to oregano herb.
Contains Anti-Bacterial Properties
Oregano contains specific components that have the potential to fight against bacteria. studies have indicated that oregano, together with its constituents, might be effective in combating some bacterial strains and preventing them from thriving. Nevertheless, evidence is limited regarding this domain, but the already performed experiments give a piece of reliable information. Similarly, a study was conducted where the antimicrobial characteristics of three herbs were compared to those of thyme, oregano important oils, and sage. The results were promising because oregano emerged as the best beneficial oil in combating the bacteria, followed by thyme. Besides, it was demonstrated to be efficient against 23 species of harmful bacteria. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the two types of bacteria that cause most infections in the body. In this regard, oregano oils serve in blocking the bacteria from growing, thus promoting health.
Packed with Antioxidants
Surprisingly, oregano emerges among the best herbs that are loaded with antioxidants—these essential components function by fighting the damages that could be caused by free radicals in the body. The accumulation of these radicals in the body is associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. A study has confirmed that oregano oil and its herb are packed with high amounts of antioxidants. This essential oil, especially rich in thymol and carvarol, could prevent the damaging effects of free radicals. Combining them with various antioxidant-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits, oregano can offer a hearty amount of antioxidants that helps in boosting the body’s health.
Shows Anti-Cancer Properties
Oregano is rich in antioxidants. These substances neutralize the harmful free radicals and help in cancer inhibition. Research showed that oregano and its constituents function in destroying cancerous cells. One study was conducted where an individual with colon cancer was diagnosed with oregano products. The results revealed that the products inhibited these cancerous cells’ growth and damaged them. Another research was conducted on the same area and indicated that carvacrol which is among the constituents of oregano, aided in suppressing the spread and growth of cancerous colon cells. Despite these results, more studies should be conducted to equip people with sufficient information about this herb on the subject.
Contains Anti-Viral Properties
Besides combating bacteria growth, some findings have suggested that oregano and its constituents might still fight against certain viruses. Specifically, thymol and carvacrol are two substances found in Oregon are linked with anti-viral characteristics. One research found that norovirus was inactivated by carvacrol, the viral infection responsible for stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea, within 60 minutes after diagnosis. Similarly, another study showed that carvacrol and thymol inactivated 90 percent of a virus called herpes simplex within an hour. Although these results are reliable, additional studies should be carried out on this aspect.
Fights Diabetes
Compounds found in oregano may support the management of type 2 diabetes. A study conducted in 2016 found that oregano products might restore destroyed kidney and liver tissues, boost insulin resistance, and control the genes’ expression affecting carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Some diabetic people utilize oregano oil and leave in managing elevated blood sugar amounts. The studies show that type 1 diabetes is called an autoimmune illness. Most of the experts have not explained its cause, but probably the oxidative stress might lead to the same. From the 2015 study, the results concluded that an oregano extract relieved type 1 diabetes. They linked the results to the antioxidant properties present in the oregano herb, its potential to inhibit cell death, and the impacts upon the immune system.
Lowers Inflammation
Inflammation is basically an immune response that normally happens due to injury or illness. Nonetheless, chronic inflammation contributes to the contraction of illnesses such as diabetes, autoimmune, and heart disease conditions. Oregano herb is packed with antioxidants that help lower inflammation and neutralize free radicals. Additionally, it has compounds such as carvacrol, which contain anti-inflammatory properties. In a certain study, carvacrol de-escalated the swelling in the body by at least 57%. Studies found that a combination of oregano oils and thyme lowered the amount of inflammatory markers in an inflamed colon or colitis.
Fights Depression
From a 2018 study, the oregano oils and other compounds were found to have an effect on depression resulting from unpredictable stress. After two weeks of treatment with oregano substances, there was an improvement in stress-linked behavior. From these results, the researchers concluded that might aid in reducing depression.
Convenient in Adding to Other Diets
Although oregano is reserved exclusively for pasta dishes and pizzas, this herb can still find its use in multiple fora. You can try combining the oregano leaves into various greens to scatter the leaves or nutrient-rich salad into soups, stews, or chili. This herb could still be used to make salad dressing or fresh pesto, season meat meals, or increase local sauces’ flavor. It is present in dried or fresh, making it convenient for adding to various diets.
Conclusion
Oregano is a health-friendly herb with potential benefits of improving the body and maintaining its normal functioning. This herb is rich in antioxidants and might assist in combating viruses and bacteria, potentially lower cancer growth, and supports the reduction of inflammation. Nonetheless, the current studies are limited to test tubes. Therefore, additional studies should be conducted to exhaustively examine the possible impacts on people. Oregano is regarded as a versatile herb, thus adding to a broad range of diets either in dried, oil, or fresh form is simple. This herb is safe to use, but the doctor should be consulted before using it, especially under other medications.
In today's world, people's eating and exercise patterns have changed, and it is often lifestyle that is the cause of many diet-related illnesses. I believe that each of us is unique – what works for one does not help another. What is more, it can even be harmful. I am interested in food psychology, which studies a person's relationship with their body and food, explains our choices and desires for specific products, the difficulty of maintaining optimal body weight, as well as the influence of various internal and external factors on appetite. I'm also an avid vintage car collector, and currently, I'm working on my 1993 W124 Mercedes. You may have stumbled upon articles I have been featured in, for example, in Cosmopolitan, Elle, Grazia, Women's Health, The Guardian, and others.
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