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Oregano is recognized as a staple herb in several cuisines all over the world.
It has a strong taste and gives dishes warmth and a tiny bit of subtle sweetness. It is said that all varieties of it, including fresh, dried, and oil, provide significant health benefits.
Oregano includes a variety of essential components, despite the fact that it is generally used sparingly. Approximately 8% of your daily requirements for vitamin K are met by one teaspoon of dried oregano.
Some of its great potential benefits, like reducing inflammation and supporting the fight against germs, have been shown by studies.
This article looks at six oregano health benefits that have been scientifically proven.
1. Full with Antioxidants
Oregano has a lot of antioxidants, which are compounds that help stop harmful free radicals from harming the body.
Free radical buildup has been linked to chronic diseases including cancer and heart disease. Several test-tube studies have revealed that oregano and oregano oil are a major source of antioxidants.
Oregano essential oil contains particularly high quantities of carvacrol and thymol, two antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage from free radicals.
When paired with other high-antioxidant meals like fruits and vegetables, oregano may provide a significant amount of antioxidants that may help improve your health.
Oregano has a lot of antioxidants, which can prevent harm by scavenging disease-causing free radicals.
2. Could Help Fight Bacteria
Oregano has certain compounds that have potent antibacterial properties.
In one test-tube study, it was shown that oregano essential oil inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two kinds of bacteria that may cause infections.
Oregano has been demonstrated to be effective against 23 distinct bacterial species in a test-tube study.
In a test-tube experiment, the antibacterial effects of oregano, sage, and thyme essential oils were also investigated. Oregano was second only to thyme in terms of its ability to kill bacteria.
In the most recent studies, this plant has only been tested in test-tube experiments utilizing extremely concentrated concentrations. Therefore, further research is necessary to determine how these findings may affect people.
Test-tube research suggest that oregano and its components may be useful against some bacterial strains.
3. Possible Anti-Cancer Properties
Oregano has a lot of antioxidants. These chemicals not only heal free radical damage but may also help prevent cancer.
Several studies conducted in test tubes suggest that oregano and its components may help kill cancer cells.
Human colon cancer cells were treated with oregano extract in a test tube experiment, and the results revealed that it helped inhibit the growth and eliminate the cancer cells.
Another test-tube experiment found that the oregano compound carvacrol helped to limit the growth and spread of colon cancer cells.
But keep in mind that the plant and its components were employed in large quantities in these studies in test tubes. Its effects must be determined by human experiments using standard dosages.
Oregano is high in antioxidants and contains compounds that have been shown in several test-tube studies to inhibit the formation of cancer cells.
4. Could Reduce Viral Infection
Oregano and its contents may be able to protect against certain viruses in addition to fighting bacteria, according to some test-tube studies.
Particularly carvacrol and thymol, two oregano compounds, have been connected to antiviral properties.
In a test-tube study, carvacrol was able to inactivate a virus that causes diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach discomfort within an hour of treatment.
Another test-tube study found that 90% of the herpes simplex virus was made dormant by thymol and carvacrol after an hour.
These results are promising, but additional research is needed to understand if oregano may influence viral infections in humans.
The oregano constituents carvacrol and thymol have been shown in several test-tube studies to inhibit the action of viruses.
5. Could Lessen Inflammation
Inflammation, a normal immunological response, is brought on by a disease or damage.
However, it is believed that diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders are all impacted by chronic inflammation.
Oregano contains antioxidants that are good in scavenging free radicals and lowering inflammation.
Additionally, it includes compounds like carvacrol that have anti-inflammatory properties. Carvacrol decreased mouse paw edema by up to 57% in one animal trial.
In a different research on animals, mice with colitis or an inflamed colon who were given a mixture of thyme and oregano essential oils had decreased levels of inflammatory markers.
Remember that in these studies, very high quantities of oregano and its component components were used to assess the effects. To find out how an average dosage could affect a person’s inflammation, studies are needed.
Oregano has a lot of antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation. Inflammation may be reduced by oregano oil and its components, according to animal studies.
6. Easy to Add to Your Diet
Although you might only think of oregano as a topping for pizza and pasta dishes, it is a versatile herb that can be utilized in a number of other ways.
Try adding whole oregano leaves to other greens for a nutritious salad, or sprinkle the herb over chili, soups, or stews.
Additionally, you may use it to flavor homemade sauces, season meat dishes, make fresh pesto, and make salad dressing.
Due to its availability in fresh, dried, and oil form, including oregano into your diet is quite simple.
Oregano may be used in stews, salads, sauces, meats, and other dishes. It can be purchased fresh, dried, or as an oil.
Oregano is a plant with some quite outstanding benefits when it comes to enhancing your health.
Conclusion
It may help in the fight against viruses and germs, maybe prevent the spread of cancer cells, and lessen inflammation thanks to its high antioxidant content.
But at the moment, research is solely done in test tubes and on animals. More research is needed in order to identify its possible effects on humans.
Oregano may be used in a variety of dishes whether it is fresh, dried, or in oil form since it is versatile, easy to incorporate into your diet, and versatile.