Hey there, viewers!
How often do you have oregano?
It has a strong flavor and makes your pizza taste even better!
But did you know that oregano does a lot more?
Whether fresh, dried or made into an oil, oregano provides impressive health benefits.
Let’s talk about some of them!
Can oregano reduce viral infections?
What about bacteria?
Does oregano reduce your chances of cancer?
We’ll be talking about all of these AND more…
Reduces Viral Infection
Oregano has been used for centuries as a cooking spice.
This herb can protect you against some viruses.
Thanks to the compounds carvacrol (carve-uh-kroll) and thymol (time-all)!
Both these compounds are present in oregano, and have antiviral properties.
In a test-tube study, it was found that carvacrol kills norovirus, which causes diarrhea and
stomach pain.
Another study found that both carvacrol and thymol reversed most of the herpes simplex
virus within just one hour.
But keep in mind, more research has to be done on this.
Do you know about any other herb that can reduce viral infections?
What’s your go-to?
Sound off in the comments below, and start a conversation with our Bestie community...
Rich in Antioxidants
Oregano contains lots of antioxidants.
These are the substances that protect our body from damage caused by free radicals.
The accumulation of free radicals is associated with cancer and heart disease.
Test tube studies have shown that oregano has the highest concentration of antioxidants
when compared to 39 other commonly used herbs.
Studies have also suggested that the antioxidant content in oregano, especially oregano oil,
is very high.
Once again, the carvacrol and thymol will prevent free radical damage.
You can add dried oregano to all your pastas and pizza sauces.
Preparing salad dressings and marinades for chicken are also great ways to include oregano
in your diet.
Fights Bacteria
Oregano can act as a natural antibiotic.
It’s been found to be very effective against 23 species of bacteria.
A study showed that oregano essential oil can slow the growth of bacteria like E. coli.
In another study, the antimicrobial activity of oregano, thyme and sage essential oils
were compared.
Oregano essential oil was found to be the most effective, second only to thyme.
Dried oregano is easily available in nearby grocery stores.
You can also try adding fresh oregano to your recipes.
Just chop a few oregano leaves, add them to your home-cooked beans, or to your patty mixture
for a burger.
Give your regular pesto a twist by using fresh oregano leaves instead of leaves of basil.
Lowers Inflammation
When there’s an injury or any harmful stimuli in your body, a protective response is generated.
This is inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can be a root cause of diabetes, heart disease and autoimmune conditions.
Because of all the antioxidants, oregano can reduce free radicals and decrease inflammation
in your body.
These anti-inflammatory properties are thanks to the carvacrol present in oregano.
In a study done on mice, it was found that carvacrol decreased swelling in the paws by
about 57%.
Additionally, a mixture of thyme and oregano essential oils also lowered inflammation of
the colon.
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Fights Cancer
Good news, the antioxidants found in oregano may also protect you from cancer.
Research suggests that the compounds in oregano may help kill cancer cells.
In a test tube study, human colon cancer cells were treated with oregano extract.
This slowed down the growth of these cells, and eventually started killing them off.
Another study showed that the compound carvacrol stopped the spreading of colon cancer cells.
You should try growing your own oregano plant at your house.
It can grow both outside and inside.
This herb can be easily grown in pots.
Plant oregano in spring with a spacing of 8-10 inches between seeds in well drained
soil.
Place your pot near a window, and make sure your plant gets enough sunlight.
Remember to trim the oregano plant to make it bushier.
Growing your oregano plant will provide you with fresh leaves any time of the day.
You can also dry oregano leaves and store them.
Reduces Cholesterol
Increased cholesterol is linked to clogged arteries, heart disease and even stroke!
Oregano oil may help lower your cholesterol level, and get that heart back in shape.
A study was conducted on people with slightly high cholesterol.
Along with diet and lifestyle changes, they were given 25 ml of oregano oil extract after
each meal.
After 3 months, there was a decrease in bad cholesterol and an increase in the good kind.
Again, this was all thanks to the carvacrol and thymol!
Some studies have shown the effectiveness of carvacrol in lowering cholesterol in mice
when put on a fat diet.
Oregano oil extract is available as a supplement.
You get it in the form of a capsule.
Before trying any supplement, make sure to talk to your doctor.
Better Gut Health
Your gut health influences your overall well being.
Bloating, diarrhea and pain are some common gut symptoms caused by parasites.
In a study, subjects were given 600 mg of oregano oil.
After 6 weeks, they were about 77% cured, while also experiencing a reduction in gut
symptoms and parasites.
Have you heard about a condition called “leaky gut”?
This happens when the gut wall is damaged, and bacteria pass into the bloodstream.
Oregano can prevent this gut condition.
In a study on pigs, oregano essential oil helped protect the gut wall, and prevented
it from becoming “leaky”.
Oregano oil can also decrease the number of E.coli bacteria in your gut.
Would you like to learn how to clean bad gut bacteria?
You might want to watch our video on 11 ways to clean gut bacteria.
Now back to our discussion on the power of oregano...
Treats Yeast Infections
Yeast is a type of fungus.
The most common one is known as Candida.
Normally, this yeast is found in small amounts in your mouth, intestines and skin.
If it starts to grow uncontrollably, it becomes a problem.
Candida is a common cause of fungal infection in humans.
Oregano oil can treat this fungal infection!
In a study, different essential oils from several spices were studied for their antifungal
activity.
Oregano oil was found to be the most effective.
Also, it worked against five different types of Candida, including those that cause mouth
and vaginal infections.
The compound carvacrol in oregano is found to be very effective in treating oral Candida.
As this yeast is also found in our gut, it can cause ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s
disease.
Help Relieve Pain
Oregano can also act as a painkiller!
It holds properties that help it do so.
Studies have compared the pain relieving abilities of standard painkillers and different essential
oils.
It was found that oregano oil had a pain relieving effect similar to morphine and fenoprofen.
These are fairly common painkillers.
Once again, oregano owes all the credit to carvacrol.
In rat studies, the effect was found to be dose dependent.
The more oregano extract, the less pain you had.
Helps Weight Loss
Oregano can help you shed a few pounds.
Is there anything it can’t do at this point?
Once again, we have carvacrol to thank for this!
In a study, mice were given a fat diet with carvacrol.
The result was less weight gain, and body fat.
Carvacrol has also been shown to reverse the process which leads to fat cell formation.
So this is big news for anyone looking to get in shape.
It’s extremely important to note that oregano essential oil should not be consumed.
Intake of any essential oil is a big NO NO!
Oregano essential oil should only be had after mixing with a carrier oil.
When it comes to using oregano oil extract, it’s available in health food shops in the
form of a capsule or tablet.
The strength of oregano supplements may vary, so you need to read the labels.
If you want to try oregano capsules, talk to a healthcare provider.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women shouldn’t have it.
By adding fresh or dried oregano to your diet, you get all it’s benefits.
Would you like to learn more about other powerful herbs?
Let’s keep the conversation going with a couple of more videos, shall we?
Check out the 7 herbs and spices with the most powerful health benefits Or how about
15 powerful health benefits of parsley you never knew about?
Go ahead, click one.
Or better yet, watch both, and learn more about the impressive benefits of herbs.
Did you know about the benefits of oregano before watching this video?
Let us know in the comments below!