5 Health Benefits of Oregano

Say "oregano" and you instantly think of pizza. This herb is not limited to pizzas, it finds an honorable mention in many Mexican and Mediterranean cuisines as well.

Oregano means "mountain joy" [Greek. oros = mountain; ganos = joy] and it grows as a shrub with small gray-green oval leaves and small pink or white flowers.

• In North America, where the climate is harsh, Oregano grows as an annual plant.
• In Mediterranean climates, it grows as a perennial plant.

In many parts of Europe, it is called wild marjoram and is said to be closely related to another herb called sweet marjoram. Botanically, oregano is known as Origanum vulgare.

Health benefits of oregano

1. Rich in fiber

Oregano is considered to be a good source of fiber. It contains the same amount of fiber as chicory. Two grams of dried oregano leaves account for 3% fiber. 

Fiber plays several roles in the body:

• It adds bulk to the food, thus easing bowel movements.
• It binds to bile salts and potentially carcinogenic toxins in the colon and facilitates their removal.
• It encourages the breakdown of cholesterol to bile salts.

Thus, eating a diet rich in fiber keeps the body's cholesterol levels low and reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.

2. Antioxidant properties

Oregano contains phytonutrients called thymol and rosamarinic acid that have potent antioxidant activity. They prevent damage to cells caused by oxidation.

• According to laboratory studies, the antioxidant capacity of oregano is stronger than that of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) or BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) - synthetic antioxidants frequently added to processed food.

• Oregano (on a per gram fresh weight basis) has also been found to have:
• 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples
• 30 times more antioxidant activity than potatoes
• 12 times more antioxidant activity than oranges
• 4 times more antioxidant activity than blueberries

3. Antibacterial properties

The volatile oils present in oregano - thymol and carvacrol - have strong antibacterial activity. Thus, oregano oil is found in many health food stores.

• Oregano oil has been shown to retard the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• Researchers in Mexico have found that oregano oil is more effective in treating infection by the amoeba Giardia lamblia than tinidazol, which is the drug commonly prescribed for this condition.

4. Rich in Vitamin K

Oregano is a rich source of vitamin K. Two grams of dried oregano leaf account for 14% vitamin K. 

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that has several functions in the body:

• Helps keep calcium out of the arteries and protects the heart
• Required for proper blood clotting
• Maintains the health of bones

5. Rich in minerals

Minerals such as manganese, iron, and calcium are found in plenty in oregano. Two grams of dried oregano leaf account for 5% manganese, 4% iron, and 3% calcium.

• Manganese is required by the body as a part of many important enzymes.
• Iron is needed for the formation of hemoglobin, which is found in the red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen.
• Calcium is necessary for healthy teeth and bones. 

Choose fresh oregano over the dried variety since it has a better flavor and more antioxidant and antibacterial power. Fresh oregano leaves are a bright green and have firm stems. Oregano leaves should be added to food at the end of cooking so as not to destroy its properties.

Make fresh oregano a part of your lifestyle today!