Happy New year.
Welcome to your general health and well-being column..HEALTH- CHECK with Oluwabukunolami..
This week, we shall be discussing about Oregano plant …
The name “Oregano” is of Greek origin and means “delight of the mountain.”
Oregano is sometimes called wild marjoram, as it is closely related to another popular spice—Sweet marjoram. There are more than 35 varieties, all of them native to Mediterranean or central Asian countries.
Best known as the “pizza herb,” Oregano has become popular as a natural remedy for many common health problems. Both fresh and dried oregano leaves have volatile oils with carminative, stomachic, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, antibacterial, antioxidant, antimicrobial and mild tonic properties.
Oregano is also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
It is high in Vitamins A, C, and E complex, as well as zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese and niacin. It has a lot of health benefits. It does the following:
(1) TREATS THE
COMMON COLD
The powerful antioxidant and antiseptic properties in oregano make it an excellent treatment for common cold.
When you feel a cold or sore throat coming on, simply add three drops of oregano oil to a glass of orange juice. Drink it once daily for up to five days until your symptoms are gone.
You can also drink oregano tea two or three times a day for symptom relief.
(2) NASAL CONGESTION
Oregano is a wonderful natural treatment for nasal congestion as it works as a safe and reliable antihistamine.
*To clear blocked throat and nasal passages:-
add two or three drops of oregano oil to one-half cup of boiling water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapor coming off the mixture. Do this twice daily.
Alternatively, you can add three drops of oregano oil to a glass of juice and drink it daily for three to five days.
(3) TREATS FLU
The antiviral property in oregano can effectively shorten the duration of flu symptoms. Some common tell tale symptoms of flu are high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, vomiting, loss of appetite as well as aches and pains in the joints and muscles.
*To treat these symptoms:-
mix a few drops of oregano oil in a glass of water and drink it once daily for three to five days.
(4) RELIEVES MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
Oregano is also known as a pain reliever and is very effective when suffering from menstrual cramps.
You can simply chew some fresh oregano leaves three times a day to reduce menstrual pain.
You can also drink oregano tea for relief in a matter of minutes.
*To make the tea, mix one-half teaspoon of oregano in one cup of water and bring it to a boil. Strain it, and add sugar to taste.
Drink it three or four times a day during your cycle.
You can also use oregano oil to regulate your menstrual cycle, reduce the negative effects of menopause and prevent premature menopause.
(5) KILLS INTESTINAL PARASITES:-
Intestinal parasites are unwanted inhabitants of the gastrointestinal system that can seriously increase the risk for various diseases.
To get rid of these harmful parasites, dried oregano is a good natural option because it is extremely volatile and antiparasitic.
Also, oregano oil contains two powerful antimicrobial agents known as thymol and carvacrol.
These substances have shown to be very effective in treating intestinal parasites.
To treat intestinal parasites, add two or three drops of oregano oil to water, along with some freshly squeezed lemon juice, and drink it three times a day.
(6) IMPROVES HEART HEALTH:-
This aromatic herb is an excellent source of potassium, an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control rapid heart rate and blood pressure caused by high intake of sodium.
The disease-fighting antioxidants present in oregano are believed to help prevent and repair oxidative stress and heart disease.
Oregano is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body and also lower the risk of heart disease.
Drink one cup of oregano tea daily to improve your heart health.
(7) STIMULATES APPETITE
Research has shown that oregano helps to relax stomach tension, which in turn stimulates appetite.
*Simply dilute some oregano oil in water and use it as a hot steam treatment or rub it into your skin to encourage increased appetite.
At the same time, this herb stimulates bile release to facilitate digestion and treats flatulence, indigestion and bloating
(8)ANTI-OXIDANT CAPACITY
This super herb is very rich in anti-oxidant phytochemical flavonoids and phenolic acids.
It is the third highest herb in oxygen radical absorbancy capacity (ORAC) Oregano is one of the world’s greatest sources of the powerful phenol component thymol. Thymol is great for improving digestive function as well as destroying harmful microbes.
Oregano has four times the antioxidant power of blueberries, 12 times that of oranges and 42 times greater than apples .
That is another great reason to use oregano daily.
(9) OREGANO AS AN ANTI-MICROBIAL
Oregano oil has been classically used as a disinfectant, an aid for ear, nose, & throat/respiratory infections, candida, and any sort of bacterial or viral conditions.
It has been discovered to suppress inflammatory mediators and cancer cell production .
Oregano oil is more potent than the dried herb; however, the dried version still contains many powerful health benefits.
Studies have shown that carvacrol, a phenol anti-oxidant within oregano has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity when applied to food or taken in supplement form .
Oregano also contains rosmarinic acid which has very strong cancer fighting properties .
Now, I believe we all know some of the health benefits of the Oregano leaves and oil.
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