Posts Tagged ‘oil’

What are different health benefits of including oregano in daily diet?

Oregano is a Mediterranean herb with purple flowers, which grows up to a height of about two feet. The name oregano comes from the Greek word oreganos meaning “joy of the mountains.” This herb is used in various recipes as well as in the treatment of various ailments. There are two types of Oregano that are commonly used, Origanum marjorum for cooking and Origanum vulgare for oil.
There are many health benefits of oregano, primarily because of its antimicrobial properties. The two important compounds, which contribute towards this property of oregano, are thymol and carvacrol apart from Linalyl Acetate, Cymene, Pinene, Bisabolene, Caryophyllene, Linalool, Geranyl Acetate, Borneol, and Terpinene.
The health benefits of oregano are numerous. Oregano leaves, either raw or dried can be used in food directly for flavor, the oil extracts of the herb can be used externally or internally in small amounts as well to treat various ailments. Some of the health benefits of oregano are listed below.

Used as Preservative.
Due to it anti-microbial properties addition of oregano in small quantities to food can help delay the process of fermentation, thus retaining the taste and nutrients in the food for a much longer period.

Antioxidant
Oregano has strong antioxidant properties which help to remove the harmful free radicals from the body which otherwise could cause cancer. Consuming oregano also help to delay the aging process because of its antioxidant property as it helps overcome the wear and tear or degeneration in the cells.

Enhancing body immunity
Another major health benefit of Oregano is that it has very high antimicrobial properties because of which consumption of oregano can help ward off various viral, bacterial, and fungal infections like mumps measles, typhoid, and cholera etcetera. The anti fungal property of oregano helps fight any fungal infection if applied on the affected area externally.

Digestion
Oregano helps in digestion of food by helping in the secretion of digestive juices. Hence, addition of oregano in food not only enhances flavor but also enhances its digestion and assimilation.

Emenagogue
One of the many health benefits of oregano to women is that it helps in correcting any menstrual defects and it also delays the arrival of menopause.

Anti-inflammatory
Oregano is known to have sedative and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used as a mild painkiller. Oregano can be taken in the form of tea to get relief from any body pains or aches. Oregano oil can also be applied externally to get relief from inflammation. Because of the anti inflammatory property of oregano it can also be used as a mild anti allergen to overcome the hypersensitivity caused due to any allergic reaction.

Anti parasitic
There are many parasites that reside inside the human body and derive nourishment from it. These parasites in the long run create health problems and in serious cases may even lead to death a common example being that of tape worms. Ingestion of oregano helps in fighting against these parasites and avoiding any communicable disease that could be caused by these parasites. The phenol content in oregano helps to get rid of the external parasites as well.

Nutritional
Oregano has a high content of minerals and vitamins when fresh. Oregano also contains omega-3 fatty acids or PUFA which is an essential fatty acid required by the body. Omega-3 fatty acids help in reducing possibilities of heart diseases.

Respiratory health
The volatile oils of oregano help in relieving sinus and lung congestion. Oregano tea is usually advised to treat influenza; bronchitis, asthma and fever. It helps maintain the respiratory health.

This herb also helps in fighting other disease like giardia and ecoli infection. Oregano also helps in healing athlete’s foot, Psoriasis, eczema, and other infectious diseases. Although Oregano originally was grown in the Mediterranean region, it is widely grown and consumed now due to the many health benefits that it presents.

| More

If you found this post informative, why not sign up to receive new posts ?
It's simple, and free, and you can even opt to receive by email:
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe to Good Health Tips by Email

Losing weight on thighs and hips by keeping a track on diet and exercise.

Losing weight can be one of the hardest physical challenges that one can go through in life. Women tend to gain weight on hips and thighs. Women have a tendency to accumulate fatty acids in their body, specifically in the thighs and hips. Women must not only do the right thigh exercises, but also include aerobic exercise and sound nutrition to get best results.
Thighs are a difficult part of the body for women, because it is hard to lose weight in this area and keep the thighs toned.

EXERCISE

- Building up your leg muscles is the first step towards losing weight on your butt, thighs and hips.
- Squats are one of the best exercises you can do for your hips, butt and thighs and they’re also a functional exercise, helping us build strength for a variety of daily activities.
- Lunges are a challenging exercise as on the front leg, you’ll work the glutes and hamstrings and, on the back leg, you’ll work the quads and calves.
- Step ups are another great exercise for the glutes. For step ups, place one foot on a step or platform and push through the heel to lift the body up. The other key is to concentrate all your weight on the stepping leg.
- The stepper is an effective way to lose thigh fat because it focuses on the butt muscles.
- Running, like walking is accessible, especially on elevation are easy to learn, reduces stress, helps in weight loss, and it makes you feel good.
- Swimming is an excellent way to lose fat from your thighs.

DIET

- A healthy diet has of course been so effective in not only getting rid of fat deposits but also in maintaining the overall soundness of the body.
- Cut on the amount and type of oil and fat in the diet.
- Avoid too much paneer, oil in dals (pulses) or even combination of oil and cereal.
- Cut down on your carbohydrates intake like potato, rice, grains, pasta. Use brown carbs instead like sweet potatoes, whole grain bread; increase your lean protein intake such as chicken, egg whites, cottage cheese, protein shakes etc.
- Eat less carbohydrates and more proteins.
- Eat more of channa roti (chapati), wheat and soya mixed roti or the diabetic atta roti which is made with dals and other cereals leaving out pure wheat.
- The non-vegetarians can eat all varieties of foods including fish and chicken. Go easy on red meat; you can have it once in a week.
- Eat lots of green vegetables.
- Cut down on fruit juices.

Nutmeg herb and spice – Characteristics, Benefits and Advantages

Nutmeg is the dried seed of the nutmeg tree fruit which belongs to the genus Myristica and looks similar to a walnut. This is the only tropical fruit that is the source of two different spices, nutmeg and mace.
The herb is widely cultivated in West Indies, Indonesia, India and French Guyana. It contains many natural substances such as volatile oil, pectin, pectosans, starch and furfural.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NUTMEG HERB

- The nutmeg tree grows very tall and may reach up to seventy feet.
- The fruit when dried gives nutmeg which is the seed and mace which is the covering.
- The fruit splits in half to reveal a net-like, bright red covering over the seed.
- Nutmeg has sweet, spicy and nutty taste, is an essential constituent used in most of the Indian kitchens.
- Nutmeg has a very distinct odor.
- Nutmeg is often used as a food flavoring for baked goods, egg nog, puddings, meats, sausages, sauces, and vegetables.

Therapeutic properties of nutmeg are stimulant, sedative, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and bactericide.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF NUTMEG AND NUTMEG OIL

- Nutmeg oil acts like a stimulator for brain.
- Nutmeg oil reduces stress and mental strain.
- Nutmeg is also good for curing anxiety and depression.
- Nutmeg increases blood circulation.
- Nutmeg is an excellent antidote for cardiovascular systems.
- Nutmeg helps detoxify liver and kidneys.
- Nutmeg oil is added to cough syrups.
- Nutmeg is used to relieve rheumatic pain, muscle pain, neuralgia, sciatica, menstrual cramp, and toothache as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Nutmeg powder heated on the pan with sesame oil until brown is used for this.
- Nutmeg helps in getting rid of diarrhea, flatulence, indigestion and hiccups as well as it improves appetite.
- Nutmeg is very effectual medicine for insomnia.
- Nutmeg oil helps in removing bad breath.
- Nutmeg oil is is used for relief from cramps during menstruation and often provides relief from menstrual irregularities.

PRECAUTION:
- Nutmeg should be used in moderation—a pinch or two is considered safe. It is not recommended for people with psychiatric disorders because of its psychoactive properties.
- Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid the use of nutmeg.