Jan 29, 2009

The Benefits of Oregano


Oregano (Scientific name: Origanum vulgare) is also known as Wild Marjoram, Mountain Mint, Origanum, Wintersweet and Winter Marjoram.

This erectly spreading plant has strong aromatic characteristics, with leaves and stems that are fleshy. The leaves of oregano are heart-shaped, with toothed edges, and which, grow for up to 9 meters in length.

In other countries, the plant is primarily used as a culinary ingredient. However, in countries like the Philippines, Oregano is a known herbal medicine for its strong anti-oxidant properties. 

Oregano contains a rosmarinic acid compound, thymol, and carvacrol that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Oregano also contains flavinoids, triterpenoids, sterols, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Its anti-bacterial properties have been proven by recent studies to treat infections of the reproductive tracts, and which make it ideal to be given to women who have just given birth.

The volatile oils in oregano and its properties are believed to be responsible for slowing the process of spoilage of food and thus minimizing the risk of ingesting harmful bacteria, parasites and fungi.

The anti-oxidant properties of oregano helps fight free radicals in the body that cause cellular damage and accelerate aging. Free radicals are believed to be involved with many degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis and heart diseases, to name a few.

The most useful parts of this plant are its leaves. The extracts and juices of such are used for asthma, dyspepsia, chronic coughs, bronchitis, and rheumatism. Ear aches have also been proven to be cured by the infusion prepared from its leaves. The leaves relieve painful swellings, boils, and sprains, when their poultices are applied directly to the affected area.

Some of the Many Health Benefits of Oregano:
 • Good for cough and cold relief
• Helps prevent degenerative arthritis
• Has Anti-aging properties
• Helps relieve rheumatism and osteoarthritis
• Bronchitis herbal remedy
• Ease asthma attacks
• Relieves upset stomach
• Treatment of urinary tract problems
• Relief for dyspepsia or indigestion
• Healing wounds, insect bites & stings
• Cure for sore throat
• Avoid infections caused by childbirth by taking decoctions of the leaves by the recent mother.
• For general good health


 Preparation of Oregano Leaves:
• Boil one cup of fresh leaves in 3 cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink half a cup 3 times a day for common colds.
• For a concentrate, juice the oregano leaves and take 1 tablespoon every hour to relieve chronic coughs, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, and dyspepsia.
• For Insect bites, wounds and stings, apply the leaves as a poultice directly on the afflicted area.
• For sore throat, boil 2 tablespoonfuls of dried oregano leaves in a pint of water, take 2 hours before or after meals.
• To prevent degenerative arthritis & for general good health drink oregano decoction daily.
 

Source: Philippine Herbal Medicine

There are still other benefits. You should check them out! They're really, really interesting!

Here are some links to check out:

 


8 Gorgeous People Said --:

MommaWannabe said...

I am seriously gonna plant this in my farm - thanks for the info and for stopping by.

Hey just a tip - if you do buy a domain don't buy it through blogger kasi it's more expensive. I buy mine at godaddy;) If you need help, you know where u can find me,ok.

LOREN said...

Oregano is highly recommended by my mom and even my lola. I hope lang I could be able to stand it's taste. Yeah, it's horrid! But I know a lot of people that actually love its taste (like my sister), and they make me wonder why. heheh!

Tinggay said...

Hi Jade! Thanks for the tip. I will definitely get in touch with you. :)

Hi Loren! Your sister likes the taste? Really?! That's weird. lol.
On second thought, my mother likes it too.
My father is the weirdest though because of actually drinking tea, he blends the leaves and he drinks the blended leaves like a slurpee. God! The taste is just so so so so horrible!

cherry said...

wow, didn't know that. i only use oregano as an ingredient in my meat marinade. ma-try nga as tea. =)


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SheR. said...

That's really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I used a lot of Oregano in my cooking. So I'm quite used to the smell. I love Basil more. Can't wait to have my Basil Garden!!! Imagine the title of my blog changed to "Basil Addict"??

Anonymous said...

oh wow. this is new to me. ever since i was in high school, I would always contract uti. didn't drink much fluids back then and if i was so into painting or reading or doing things which interest me, i'd forget to go to the restroom hence, the dreadful uti attacks. daddy would always put me on antibiotics at once. but after being prone to infections easily, i decided on going organic. banaba tea and buko water. :) i WILL try oregano tea sometime. then again, these days, i just consciously drink water even if im not that thirsty.

Nathan said...

Add honey and lime to the tea, and it will taste delicious!

Unknown said...

If you don't have the patience to grow your own, you can buy wild crafted Origano oil or softgels from iherb.com or mynaturalmarket.com. It is great to rebalance your intestinal tract and kills fungal infections. Beware that it may also kill your good intestinal bacteria so you may want to increase your Probiotic intake too.