TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Oregano has leaves with a sweet and spicy taste. These leaves are believed to improve health. No wonder this herbal plant is often included in the Mediterranean diet menu.
According to the journal Molecules, oregano refers to a variety of plants with a similar taste and smell. There are about 61 species and 17 types of plants that belong to six botanical families called oregano. Some of the oregano family names include Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, and Rubiaceae.
Oregano is famous for its essential oil, which is the essence of an aromatic plant. This oil is full of compounds such as terpenes, esters, and aldehydes, which have great therapeutic benefits. The oregano herb and oregano essential oil are of great importance in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
Oregano essential oil has a complex mixture of volatile compounds that vary, depending on the species, geographic location, pests, soil conditions, season, and other growing conditions. Some of the main active compounds in oregano oil include thymol, carvacrol, betamirsen, camphen, caryophyllene, gamma-terpinene, linalool, and trans-sabinene hydrate. Here are the benefits health oregano and its oil.
Relieves menstrual cramps
Oregano has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help manage pain-related disorders, including menstrual cramps. When consumed or applied topically, oregano’s active compounds can help relax digestive muscles, reduce uterine contractions, and relieve cramps while traveling. Oregano also has antispasmodic activity which can help relieve spasms in the pelvis and uterus.
Improve heart health
Oregano is full of heart-healthy nutrients such as potassium and magnesium, which have a big role in maintaining heart arrhythmias or maintaining a normal heart rate. They also help lower blood pressure thereby keeping the risk of hypertension at bay. Oregano’s antioxidant potential may also help prevent oxidative damage to heart cells and improve their function. While anti-inflammatory properties reduce the risk of chronic heart inflammation, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure.
Antimicrobial content
Oregano has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Compounds such as carvacrol and terpenes in oregano are known to inhibit various viral pathogens, such as the H1N1 virus, adenovirus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans such as fungi. Oregano also helps fight various resistant strains of pathogens.
Treating malaria
Oregano essential oil contains main compounds such as carvakrol, linalool, thymol, terpinen, and cement which have antiparasitic potential against parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum. This type of parasite is widely known to cause parasitic infections such as malaria and sleeping sickness. Oregano oil can help inhibit the growth of malarial protozoa and treat infections efficiently.
Improve bone health
As per the USDA, oregano contains 1,600 mg of calcium per 100 grams. The high amount of calcium in oregano can help maintain healthy bones, prevent bone loss, increase bone mineral density, and reduce the risk of related diseases such as arthritis. The flavonoids in oregano may also help promote bone health while its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities prevent bone damage by harmful free radicals.
Improve digestive health
Oregano has a positive effect on digestive health and can help treat or improve related problems, such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and digestive problems. It can also help reduce signs of inflammation that cause stomach upset and kill pathogens that cause diarrhea and indigestion. The astringent properties of oregano also help cool the digestive system.
Overcome nasal congestion
Nature antimicrobial and the anti-inflammatory oregano can help treat nasal congestion, improve breathing, and prevent further microbial growth. The scent of herbs like camphor is also a great way to get rid of a stuffy nose. Inhaling oregano oil by mixing it in boiling water can help relieve symptoms.
Has chemopreventive properties
Different properties such as antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimutagenic of oregano oil contribute to the chemopreventive properties of the herb. Oregano and its oil can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent their spread. Oregano can inhibit the growth of colon carcinoma cells, hepatocarcinoma cells, and breast cancer cells. Oregano can also change the DNA of cancer-causing cells and promote healthy cell growth.
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