Not to be missed on pizza and in most of our "alla pizzaiola" dishes, oregano has great surprises not only for food.
In fact, the oregano (Origanum vulgare) is not only a simple aromatic herb to be used in the kitchen, but a real natural medicine to use both as a prevention to keep our body healthy, and in case of some discomforts and illnesses. .
We have searched for you the main "healing" properties of oregano.
The "healing" properties of oregano: what are they?
The role of oregano in the well-being of the human organism derives from the composition of the plant and the essential oil extracted from it, which contains phenols, vitamins and mineral salts, including iron, potassium, calcium and manganese.
We would like to specify, however, that as an aromatic plant ore has not been given authorization for any therapeutic indication, while in the case of oregano essential oil there is some evidence from scientific studies on some beneficial properties, mainly antibacterial and antimicrobial .
The antibacterial and antimicrobial healing properties of the essential oil of oregano derive mainly from two substances, thymol and carvacrol contained in the essential oil. Their action was verified by in vitro studies on bacteria, fungi and parasites, in detail :
> the antibacterial action has been verified both against Gram-positive bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus ) and Gram-negative bacteria (such as Escherichia coli ).
> the antimycotic action, on the other hand, was particularly effective against fungi such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Candida albicans and various species belonging to the genus Fusarium.
> antiparasitic activity has been studied on intestinal parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax nana. The oregano extract is used against parasites.
To the oregano are also attributed antioxidant properties confirmed by various studies conducted on the matter and consequent to the activity of gamma-tocopherol, present both in the essential oil and in the plant itself.
To the rosmarinic acid isolated from oregano and present also inside the whole plant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic or anticancer properties have also been attributed, which require further studies and in-depth studies.
Experts at Long Island University have highlighted the presence within the oregano of a killer substance that is effective even against prostate cancer, a chemical component that causes cancer cells to self-destroy.
The beneficial properties and applications of oregano
According to the intuitions of the centenary folk medicine, oregano and its essential oil also have numerous other beneficial activities for our body, verified for now only in an empirical way and awaiting validation with more accurate and numerous scientific studies . The following are the main traditional applications of oregano:
> for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract, such as cough, bronchial inflammation;
> as an expectorant remedy in the event of phlegm;
> in the treatment of dyspepsia and digestive disorders;
> for relief of urinary disorders;
> in local preparations used to counter Herpes simplex infections;
> is widely used in aromatherapy, for colds and stuffy nose;
> it is considered useful in case of painful menstruation: it is possible to prepare an herbal tea with oregano against menstrual pain;
Homeopathic medicine uses oregano as a remedy for excess sexual excitement and nymphomania, for the treatment of airway infections, coughs and bronchitis.
There are situations in which the use of oregano is not recommended: in the case of gastritis, peptic ulcer, dermatitis or hypersensitivity to one or more components.
