Posts Tagged ‘Oregano’

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

Herbs and spices like Clove, Turmeric, Cinnamon and Oregano that not only add flavor to food but also helps preserve brain health and boost cognition

Herbs and spices are natural products made from leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds of plants. They have been used to preserve foods and add flavor and also for medicinal qualities. Many herbs and spices are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins and molecules that can help protect brain cells from aging and damage caused by toxins.

CLOVE
- Cloves are the best natural sources of antioxidants.
- Antioxidant activity promoted by the abundant phenol compounds contained in the spice help fight toxins and slow harmful processes that result in the aging of cells.
- Eugenol, a compound found in cloves is a powerful platelet inhibitor – a benefit that may help reduce risk for stroke associated with blood clots.

TURMERIC
- Cur cumin in turmeric may help promote the removal of potentially toxic metals from the brain.
- Cur cumin is both a potent antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent.
- The compound may help inhibit the deposition of toxic beta-amyloid plaque, and there is some evidence that it may help in its breakdown and removal from the brain.

CINNAMON
- Cinnamon helps promote the effects of insulin and reduce blood sugar levels by bolstering enzymes that stimulate cellular insulin receptors.
- Cinnamon also lowers the levels of LDL i.e. bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Cinnamon is also a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.

OREGANO
- Oregano is among the highest in antioxidants of the dried herbs.
- Oregano is known for its anti bacterial properties.
- Oregano has anti-parisitic properties which is helpful in digestive problems.
- Oregano strengthens the immune system.
- Oregano increases the joint and muscles flexibility.
- Oregano Improves respiratory health.
- Oregano is rich in fiber.
- Oregano can help increase menstrual flow.

Health benefits of various natural spices

Spice is the corner stone of life, even if it is about food, love, relationships or career. Nobody loves a bland, monotonous taste in life. Spices add the much needed zing to the ultimate product. It gives the color, flavor and taste to you daily dose of health. Apart from all this spices give you the boost much needed to combat those evil predators who wreak havoc with your immune system. Spices include a wide variety of herbs, roots, flowers and fruits. It has the humble ubiquitous cumin to the rare and costly Saffron, but ultimately all of them do the one thing, add the much needed zest to your taste buds and body.
Spices have antioxidant properties which helps you to combat Alzheimer, aging and heart disease. It has antimicrobial properties which helps to keep food safe and also kills many pathogens which cling to it. The anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the clumping of blood platelets and boost the circulatory system. Spices are also said to improve brain function. There are a great variety of spice which are the integral part of Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean cooking. The use of spice varies with respect to Indian, Chinese or Mediterranean cuisines.
To examine the health benefits of certain spices, we can begin with,

Cumin: It is one of the best sources of Iron and is used to improve digestion. Water boiled with cumin is used to control dysentery in infants.
Cardamom: The amazing cardamom tea is the best thing to lift your spirits. It is a breathe freshener and is used to cope with diabetics.
Coriander: Water boiled with coriander is a good kidney cleanser. It is good to combat rheumatism, sore throat, indigestion, allergies etc.
Curry Leaves: These are the friends of the diabetics. Curry leaves are chewed early in the morning to reduce blood sugar. It is used cleansing the body and also is a part of a host of herbal medicines.
Cinnamon: cholesterol can be considerably reduced by cinnamon. It also reduces the blood sugar levels and encourages the production of natural insulin.
Chilly: It contains Capsaicin which has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties which gives a boost to the immune system.
Clove: this humble flower was used from time immemorial to combat tooth and gum problems. It also fights digestive disorders, cough and cold.
Garlic: Reams of paper can be used to illustrate the uses of this wonder spice. It has strong antioxidant properties and is said to combat a simple cold to life threatening cancer.
Mustard: It contains omega three fatty acids an dis a wonderful source of Iron, calcium and Zinc. It is a great massage oil as it reduces aches and pains.
Pepper: Need to combat common cold then pepper is your answer. It also deals with muscle pains and digestive disorders.
Nutmeg: It is said to be a antidote for Asthma, digestive tract problems and even cancer.
Oregano: This Mediterranean spice calms digestive disorders and helps in curing respiratory illness.
Thyme: Just use it to counter you respiratory disorders and it also stimulates your immune system.
Rosemary: This was an air-freshener before the arrival of synthetic products. It is also soothes and improves the digestive system.
Saffron: This is one of the costliest spice in the world. Saffron is said to combat aging and reduce wrinkles. Continuous use is said to increase the skin tone. Saffron helps to cure a humble headache to the terrible tumors.
The list of the spices are endless and the continuous and judicious use helps in fighting diseases. Everything has a flip side and excessive use of the spices can play havoc with your digestion and circulatory systems. So go for the spice in your life but keep it under your thumb.