Most commonly known as an aromatic food flavoring and preservative, oregano is also an effective health treatment. With a name stemming from Greek, meaning “mountain of joy,” oregano obviously has a notable history of use. With a potent aroma and pungent flavor, oregano also offers a variety of health benefits.
Oregano can be described as a warm, aromatic spice with a slightly bitter flavor. The herb is considered a member of the mint family that contains a pungency with the ability to numb the tongue when it is of good quality. Typically grown in a warm, dry climate, oregano is a somewhat woody herb.
The herb contains a number of important natural chemicals that give it its pungent smell, flavor, and medicinal effects. Oregano contains such chemicals as thymol, pinene, limonene, carvacrol, ocimene, and caryophyllene.
All parts of the herb can be used in treating various health conditions. The oil of the oregano has arisen as a more common treatment today and is typically used externally. In any case, however, the herb is effective for treating a vast array of conditions.
Oregano and oregano oil possess specific qualities that situate the two substances as effective health aids. The herb contains two primary components – thymol and carvacrol – that present the herb’s main health benefits.
The herb’s innate chemicals present specific advantages as health treatments. Oregano is considered a rich source of fiber, iron, manganese, vitamin E, iron, calcium, omega 3 fats, manganese, tryptophan, and vitamin K. As such, oregano and oregano oil and considered among the most potent antioxidants and antibacterial agents available today. The treatments can be used to facilitate a number of different conditions.
Oregano is often used for treating respiratory tract disorders, gastrointestinal issues, menstrual cramps, and urinary tract infections. The herb is also an effective skin treatment that can be used to alleviate such conditions as acne and dandruff. The herb is also an effective treatment for the common cold, eczema, fever, fungus, herpes, and a number of other conditions.
With antiparasitic, antifungal, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, oregano is capable of treating a wide range of health conditions.
