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Useful and medicinal properties of oregano

Oregano – what is it?

Oregano is one of the types of perennial spicy-aromatic bushy plant of the family yasnotkovyh. The shrub has a ramified stems that are covered with small oval leaves and small inflorescences of white or pinkish color. It is a widespread plant in Europe, the Mediterranean countries and in Russia. Oregano grows, usually, on glades, forest margins, mountain slopes.

Basically, oregano is used in cooking as a seasoning for sauces, meat, vegetables. Without this aromatic spice is impossible to imagine Italian cuisine with its pizzas, pastas and a variety of sausages. In France and Belgium oregano is often added to dishes with mushrooms, vegetable soups, marinades, baked goods. You can add oregano and brew beer or wine drinks acquire a special smell and kept longer, not skisa.

Oregano has a very bright bitter-spicy, slightly burning taste, so add to dishes. You can use it as fresh leaves and dried, crushed into powder. Can oregano and freeze – so it will be a long time to preserve its freshness. Thanks to this spice the taste of the cooked food becomes more tender and full. Goes well with oregano , Basil, rosemary, marjoram, mint, pepper.

Very often used oregano for medical purposes – with flowers, leaves and stems prepare medicinal tea, herbal teas, infusions. Use this plant and for external use in the form of lotions, compresses, also with it taking a relaxing bath. In the perfume and cosmetic industry of oregano added to Soaps, shampoos, lotions for the face, toothpaste.

Along with Basil, oregano is a "calling card"so popular in Mediterranean cuisine. Oregano has been known for over 2000 years, it is in their writings have mentioned the ancient Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates. Translated from the Greek oregano as"mountain jewelry", another common name isoregano.

According to legend, the wounded in the forests of the island of Crete animals – deer, wild goats, was looking for this herb, which is also called fraxinella. The animals ate the grass, and arrows soon came out of their bodies, wounds were tightened, the effect of poison, if the poison was, nejtralizovat. It was noticed by the people and also began to use oregano to treat wounds, and later discovered other properties of this plant.

the Beneficial properties of oregano
  • First of all, oregano is a medicinal herb with strong healing effect. The leaves and flowers of oregano contain large amounts of essential oils, tannins. Is composed of oregano, thymol and carvacrol, by which this grass in action than many existing antihistamines and antiseptic preparations. Has oregano and antimicrobial properties.
  • Due to the high content of tannins, oregano can protect the body from the effects of food poisoning, to prevent the growth of bacteria trapped in the body along with poor quality food. Decoctions and tinctures of this herb will help to relieve diarrhea, indigestion, flatulence. On the other hand, with the help of oregano can be used to mask the smell of stale food disguised as edible – be careful.

  • Oregano is a mild antispasmodic which can ease a pain. Good oregano with headaches, muscle pains and cramps. Use oregano oil for rubbing back with the rheumatism and sciatica, with pain in the joints. A toothache will save a tampon with a few drops of the oil applied to the tooth.

  • In disorders of the nervous system is also recommended oregano. It is believed that by adding it in food, you can get rid of insomnia. This herb increases the level of tryptophan, contributing to an overall calm. Previously, this herb is often used to treat hysteria, epilepsy. Currently, doctors still do not recommend self-medicate in cases of severe neurosis or depression, but as a mild sedative, improves sleep, should be fine and therapy herbs. Oregano is often recommended to children who demonstrate increased excitability of the nervous system, excessive activity.

  • In the menstrual period women are advised to take the decoction of this herb not only in order to relieve pain symptoms, and normalization of an emotional state. Also oregano is recommended for the prevention of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. Nursing mothers experiencing problems with milk supply, we suggest adding oregano to your food. During menopause teasfrom this plant help the body to rebuild and easier to cope with hormonal disruptions. There is information about that with this plant in the early menopause can be a little "aside", allowing the ovaries to prolong its activity.

    • Oregano has beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract, improves intestinal peristalsis, increases tone smooth muscles, significantly increases the secretion of digestive glands. Helps this grass and in diseases of the biliary system, biliary dyskinesia, cholecystitis. Thus, it is possible to talk about light laxative effect of this plant.

  • A decoction of oregano is also immunomodulating, and bracing means that are required for colds, in the period of epidemic Influenza. The beneficial effects of oregano on human immunity may explain the very serious content in its chemical composition, vitamins (group B, vitamin C, A, K, E) as well as micro - and macroelements (calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium and zinc).

  • In the treatment of colds oregano will help to cope with cough, even severe and chronic forms. Many this herb helps to stop the attacks of asthma, to alleviate the condition with tuberculosis of the lungs. This is due to a pronounced expectorant action of active substances. If you experience any problems with the respiratory tract, suggest rinsing the nasal cavity with the decoction of oregano – this helps with sinusitis, acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis. The herb has anti-inflammatory effect, relieves itching and swelling. When angina are also advised to gargle with the decoction of oregano.

  • Widespread and external application of oregano. Sometimes compresses of infusions of this herb literally work wonders, getting rid of eczema, fungal diseases, acne, pustular lesions, neurodermatitis, boils. Tincture of oregano is effective for herpes. Saves the grass after insect bites, burns, frostbite. Bath and rubdown with oregano successfully applied in the problems with sweating of the body andfeet.

  • In folk medicine, decoctions of oregano is used for the treatment of alcoholism, getting rid of depression. It is believed that this herb can improve mood. Not long ago, scientists discovered the ability of oregano to positively influence the condition of people affected by cancer, and prevent heart disease.

    • Oregano against worms and parasites

    It turns out that the predilection of the inhabitants of the East and the Mediterranean to the spices like oregano – it is justified not only by its pleasant taste and aroma. Latest medical studies have proven that contained in the composition of oregano carvacrol is highly effective against microbes and parasites, which pose a serious threat to the health of people living in the hot southern countries. If the peoples inhabiting these territories, have not discovered the miraculous properties of herbs and used them for food, perhaps the epidemic would destroy the whole nation.

    Active substances that are so rich in oregano, is able to cope not only with viruses and germs, but also very effectively destroy parasites that settle in the human body. In particular, the Giardia of small worms living in the intestine and the gall bladder people do not like oregano. Also this herb is able to kill even the most resistant to potent antibiotics, the microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus – the Bane of most hospitals. Scientists in their research compared the 18 modern drugs antimicrobial action and came to the conclusion that oregano is more effective than any of these medicines.


    The healing properties of oregano oil

  • The most pronounced antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal activity it has oregano oil. In addition to the previously mentioned active component carvacrol oil contains other elements that have antiseptic properties. Formulations based on oil of oregano perfectly cope with various skin diseases, acne, pimples, warts, herpes. From nail fungus will also help to get rid of this oil. It has long been a remedy used for the treatment of wounds – eliminating, thus, blood poisoning, inflammation of the wound, and providing a faster healing.

  • Used oiloregano and inside: for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, infections of the urogenital system of pest control. the intake of this oil normalizes the production of bile and gastric juices, improves digestion. It is believed that oil of oregano, speeds up metabolism, thus getting rid of excess weight.

  • During epidemics of Influenza and SARS to avoid infection, it is recommended to clean the air in the room using an oil burner with oil of oregano, and being in public places, need to carry a handkerchief with a few drops of the oil, and periodically to breathe through it. Besides the antibacterial effect, the oil has a calming and soothing action.

  • If you add a few drops of essential oil of oregano in a base massage oil, it is possible to achieve a light analgesic effect, for example, rheumatism or joint pains. It will be useful for the skin – leaving inflammation, significantly reduced cellulite. After this massage, you are guaranteed a good and healthy sleep.

    • It should be borne in mind that in concentrated form, oil of oregano is not used – you must add it to any other vegetable oil – olive, sesame, etc.


    Than you can replace oregano?

    Oregano has a rich and unique aroma and taste that is associated with the cuisine of Italy. However, oregano has many "relatives" – herbs with similar qualities.

    The closest is a marjoram – there are cases where oil of oregano substitute miranova, and the difference is almost imperceptible. In the process of cooking of the hostess is often used instead of oregano, a mixture of mint, Basil or parsley with dill, also slightly reminiscent of oregano and thyme , and even cumin. Just keep in mind that all these herbs do not have even a little bit close to oregano healing properties.


    Contraindications to the use of oregano

    Despite numerous indications to taking this miracle plant, some people use it is not recommended. First of all it concerns people who have serious disorders in the cardiovascular system, as well as acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer). People with diseases of the liver and kidney also suggestbe careful in the intake of oregano. It's also worth saying that the plant may adversely affect the action of certain medications. In addition, some people have an individual intolerance of herbs.

    Women must know that during pregnancy the intake of oregano may cause uterine contractions and spontaneous abortion. Men should remember that oregano has a strong sedative effect, therefore, reduces libido and affects the quality of potency. A regular consumption of decoctions and infusions from this plant can cause impotence.