What is Oregano?

Oregano is an easy-to-grow herb with many health-promoting properties. It is an aromatic herb, belonging to the mint family. It prefers a warm, dry climate with plenty of sunlight.

It is a perennial herb that does well in containers- you can even grow it in a small pot on a kitchen windowsill! If kept in the garden, one plant will quickly spread and provide more than enough for one family. If you purchase fresh oregano- keep it wrapped in wet paper towels in the refrigerator or cover it in water and freeze it in ice cube trays.

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Oregano is more than just a culinary herb- it is a powerful medicinal plant! Below are the many uses and benefits of oregano. Some of them might surprise you!

 

Oregano is more than just a culinary herb. It is a powerful medicinal plant with many health benefits. Do you know the all the uses and benefits of oregano?

 

Culinary Benefits of Oregano

Aromatic oregano is most often used as a flavor enhancer for soups, stews or other dishes, but this herb has many other lesser knows qualities that make it a powerful source of nutrition and healing qualities.

 

Did you know?

Oregano is a rich source of vitamin K, which is an important player in cardiovascular and bone health as well being needed for proper blood clotting.

Oregano is full of minerals such as iron and manganese.

Oregano is full of fiber– just one tablespoon gives you over 10% of the daily value- and you know how important fiber is!

Oregano is full of antioxidants such as thymol and rosmarinic acid. In fact some studies have shown that it contains even more antioxidants than other antioxidant rich foods- as much as 4 times more than the amount in blueberries!

 

fresh picked oregano ready to dry

 

Medicinal Uses for Oregano

 

Many of the benefits gained by eating and using oregano in your daily meals will benefit your health as well. A healthy diet full of nutrient rich foods is one of the best medicines you can give yourself.

But in addition to those I have already listed, oregano also has purely medicinal uses, such as being an antibacterial, a natural anti-inflammatory and an anti-fungal.

While the fresh, or dried, herb can be used to gather some of these benefits, oil of oregano is one of the best ways to get concentrated amounts of the health-promoting properties of oregano.

Oregano is easy to grow from seed and easy to dry, so you can use it all year round.

If you don’t grow your own oregano you can buy it in bulk through the Bulk Herb Store.

 

How to Use Oregano:

 

Combine oregano with other beneficial herbs such as sage, thyme and lavender in a pot of boiling water and use as a facial steam to loosen congestion and calm a cough. Oregano is easy to grow and dried oregano is great to keep on hand for just this purpose.

Take a few drops of oil of oregano– diluted in juice or water- internally to combat intestinal disturbances such as giardia or food-borne diseases such as e. coli or salmonella.

Take internally to help reduce the length and intensity of the common cold or flu.

Rub oregano oil mixed with olive oil (or other carrier oil) on sore muscles and joints for pain relief and to aid in reducing inflammation.

Place drops of diluted oregano oil on your neck, temples and forehead to help reduce the pain of headaches and migraines. Smelling full strength oil of oregano is also helpful in easing head pain.

Diluted oregano oil can be effective in removing warts

 

oregano plant in garden

 

More Oregano Oil Uses:

Oregano is thought to have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties- to name a few.

In addition o the oregano oil uses I have already mentioned, oregano oil can also be used for:

For ear aches- rub diluted oregano oil on the outside of the ear

Inhale or diffuse oregano oil for help with seasonal allergies

Dab oregano oil diluted with water on pimple or acne prone areas

Helping with yeast and candida

Getting rid of athlete’s foot

Inhale or diffuse oregano oil to boost immunity during cold and flu season

 

Notes:

  • You can make oregano infused oil by steeping oregano leaves in oil such as olive or coconut. This is not the same thing as an essential oil. If you would like to make your own infused oil you can find directions at Homegrown and Healthy.
  • If you purchase concentrated oil of oregano be sure to dilute it before placing it on your skin or ingesting it. The oil is too potent to be used as is.
  • Oregano can cause adverse reactions in some people. Test a small patch of skin before using the oil topically. Fresh eating can cause stomach discomfort in some people.
  • If you are pregnant or nursing talk to your caregiver before taking oregano in medicinal amounts.
  • If you are taking other medications, talk to you doctor before taking oregano medicinally. This is especially true if you are taking a blood thinner (oregano has naturally occurring blood thinning properties) or medications such as Lithium.
  • I am not a doctor or healthcare professional. This article is for informational and educational purposes only.

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