What is oregano

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What is oregano

oregano

Oregano,(scientific name: Origanum Vulgare), and has other names in Arabic, such as myrrh, Habakkuk, Khrunbash, and wild marjoram. Oregano is just like wild thyme, an aromatic plant that contains highly effective antiseptic, anti-toxic, antispasmodic, analgesic, expectorant, sedative, antihypertensive and laxative substances. Oregano thyme can be recognized in nature through its stems that branch out in the form of corners, and its color is reddish, and its strong and distinctive aromatic smell. False, so check the Latin name when buying oregano.

Oregano nutritional value

The following table shows the nutritional value per 100g of dry oregano:

nutritional element

Nutritional value

Water
9.93 grams
energy
 256 calories
Protein
 9 grams
total fat
4.28 g
carbohydrates
68.92 grams
Calcium
1597 milligrams
Iron
36.80 milligrams
magnesium
270 milligrams
phosphorous
73 milligrams
potassium
1260 milligrams
Sodium
25 milligrams
zinc
2.69 milligrams
vitamin C
2.3 milligrams
Vitamin B1
(Thiamine) 0.177 milligrams
Vitamin B2
(Riboflavin) 0.528 milligrams
Vitamin B3
(Niacin) 4.640 milligrams
Vitamin B6
1.044 milligrams
Folic acid
237 mcg Vitamin
fibers
42.5 g

Benefits of oregano

The oregano plant has many health and medical benefits, which may sometimes be found under the name (benefits of wild thyme), which is one of the other names of oregano, and its benefits are as follows:

Oregano may help reduce nervous system problems

Oregano and its oil may help solve the problem of the nervous system by raising dopamine levels, thus improving mood and promoting a sense of psychological comfort. This is due to its carvacrol content, and these effects can be benefited by taking it regularly in small amounts, according to a laboratory study published in (Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences) in 2018.

Oregano may reduce respiratory problems

Oregano contains carvacrol and rosmarinic acid, both of which are natural decongestants and antihistamines. This explains the role of oregano in alleviating respiratory problems by improving lung function, and organic oregano oil is a good option to benefit from its benefits.

Oregano can relieve pain

Oregano’s carvacrol content may give oregano oil its pain-relieving properties. This may give it an effect similar to that of painkillers, and its extract may relieve pain, and this effect is directly proportional to the dose

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Oregano may help cleanse the body

Oregano may be useful in cleansing the body due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. These properties may be attributed to the presence of thymol and carvacrol in the herb. These two compounds may help to defend the body against many types of bacteria that may affect the skin, intestines, and other parts of the body, on the other hand, they may prevent the growth of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). In dairy and meat products, according to a laboratory study published in the journal Foodborne Pathogens and Disease in 2019

Oregano may reduce chronic candidiasis

Chronic candidiasis occurs when Candida overgrowth in the digestive tract and vagina,  and oregano oil may help eliminate it and combat its growth, according to a laboratory study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology in 2016.

Oregano may help prevent hair loss

The use of oregano oil due to its antifungal properties may help improve scalp health, prevent hair loss and treat dandruff, but scientific research supporting these benefits is still very limited.

Other benefits of oregano

In addition to the above, oregano may provide other health benefits, including:

  • May improve digestion: Oregano contains a good amount of fiber that enhances the work of the digestive system, by facilitating bowel movement, preventing constipation, and increasing the absorption of nutrients from food, [5] It is also used to relieve indigestion problems, acidity, and heartburn and helps to Calm it down, as it works to expel gases
  • May Improve Heart Health: Taking oregano extract may help improve heart health by regulating blood pressure and lowering the level of fats in the blood.
  • Oregano is an insect repellent: Oregano can be used as an option to help repel insects.

How much oregano can be consumed?

There is not yet a safe and scientifically proven amount of oregano that can be eaten, except for the dose of oregano oil for intestinal parasites, which is equivalent to 200 mg of the oil 3 times daily for 6 weeks.

How to use oregano

Oregano is available in several forms: fresh, dried, and oil, [13] and these forms can be used in different ways and recipes, such as:

  • Add oregano oil to a steam bath and inhale it to relieve congestion.
  • Dilute oregano oil with a carrier oil and use it on the skin.
  • Use oregano to season chicken before grilling.
  • Add fresh oregano to the salad.
  • Sprinkle dried oregano over pizza and pasta, and add it to sauces to enhance their flavor.

How to prepare oregano tea

Oregano tea can be prepared to obtain its health and medical benefits by following the following steps:

  • Add one to two teaspoons of fresh or dried oregano to a cup of hot water.
  • Leave the mixture for 10 minutes.
  • Drink it three times daily.

 

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Warnings of consuming oregano

There are caveats that you should pay attention to. Just as oregano has benefits and pros, there are downsides and downsides, including:

  • Do not use oregano during pregnancy, as eating it in large quantities may cause a miscarriage.
  • Do not use it if menstruation is profuse; Because oregano increases blood flow, and this is harmful to health.
  • Do not apply pure oregano oil directly to the skin.
  • Do not overuse oregano because it has the opposite effect; It works to cause excessive irritation.
  • Excessive use of oregano also causes insomnia and migraines.
  • Oregano consumption leads to bleeding and increases it in people who suffer from bleeding disorders.
  • Oregano may lower blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes should be wary of the amounts they eat of oregano.
  • Oregano should not be eaten two weeks before surgery; This is because oregano increases the risk of bleeding.
  • Oregano may cause an allergy to people who are allergic to basil, lavender, mint, and sage.

Article Summary

The oregano herb is one of the herbs that have a variety of uses as one of the spices added to many recipes or used to treat or relieve symptoms, and it can be said that it is available in several forms such as dried powder, fresh herb, nutritional supplements, and essential oil, and its oil may have multiple medical benefits. Such as reducing hair loss, cleansing the body, and enhancing the work of the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems. It should be noted the need to consult a doctor before taking it, and to ensure that the person does not have any allergies, and to take it in the right way, at the right time, and in the right quantity.