Benefits of Oregano Leaves for health is very much. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a plant which is used as a spice, especially in Italian cuisine. Not only has a distinctive aroma, but reversed usefulness in cooking, oregano also offer health benefits. In ancient Greece, oregano is used for the symbol of joy. This plant was first grown on the plantation of Mount Olympus. Long oregano plants approximately 20-80 cm, widely grown in the Mediterranean, Central Asia and South Asia. The leaves are tiny hard stalk.
These leaves have a bitter taste. However, because the characteristic aroma of fragrant and warm, the leaves are so popular as a spice mainstay in Europe. Dried oregano scent stronger than fresh ones. For Italian food, oregano widely used for pizza, pasta sauce, and spaghetti. As for Greek food, used for salads, as well as additional oil spray mixture of lemon and olive oil, as a friend grilled fish or meat. Oregano is also used of the Turks for more flavor meat dishes, such as roasted lamb or kebabs.
Oregano contains compounds carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene. The leaves and stems that support the flowers on this plant are antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. Oregano can be eaten immediately to overcome fever, influenza, abdominal pain, and pain due to menstruation.
Additionally, oregano also has properties that can soothe and help the body during sleep. Leaves with fragrant aroma is also rich in thymol, powerful antiseptic function when used as an external medicine. Oregano is widely sold in supermarkets in the form of fresh leaves or chopped and dried and packaged in small bottles.
Health Benefits Of Oregano
1. Boost immunity
Oregano leaves contain iron, manganese, and vitamin A. Eating fresh oregano routinely been able to improve your immune system.
2. Digestion
compound of thymol and carvacol in oregano is useful in treating disorders of the digestive system and stomach. Way is by drink a glass of water mixed with two to three drops of oil of oregano.
3. Relieves Menstrual cramps
Oregano is also known as a pain reliever when menstruation. You just chew some fresh oregano leaves three times a day to reduce menstrual pain
4. Fever Drug
With high fever, oregano also be used to lower your body temperature. Simply mix a few drops of oregano oil with a glass of water and drink three to five days.
5. Antibacterial
Oregano oil contains antibacterial and antivirus. You can use oregano oil to treat skin infections.
6. Heart Health
This exotic herb is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by high sodium. Manganese and copper are used by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron helps prevent anemia. Magnesium and calcium are important minerals for bone metabolism.
7. Source of Vitamin C
Fresh Oregano is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin C. Vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
Oregano Nutrition Fact
Oregano is a proven super "functional food". This herb is one of the foundation bases of healthy Mediterranean diet in addition to olive oil, fish and lots of greens, herbs and vegetables.
100 g of oregano herb provides:
Dietary fiber- 107% (Percent of RDA) (RDA- Recommended daily allowance)
Folates- 69%
Pyridoxine- 93%
Vitamin-C- 83%
Vitamin-A-230%
Vitamin-K- 518%
Iron- 550%
Manganese-203%
Carotene-ß- 4112 mcg.
Whenever possible, buy fresh leaves over the dried form of the herb since it is superior in flavor and rich in many vital vitamins and anti-oxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin C, and folates.
