Oregano
Culinary Delight and Versatile Essential Oil
Oregano has a reputation for its pungent, spicy flavor and is often confused with its herbal cousin marjoram that has a sweeter flavor. To add to the confusion, the Latin name for common oregano, Origanum vulgare, is commonly called wild marjoram. Both are members of the mint family – to sort out the uncertainty, marjoram classifies as a type of oregano.
In fact, there are numerous, slightly different forms of oregano. In the garden, oregano proper has purple flowers, whereas marjoram has white flowers. Oregano is an excellent source of vitamin K and has very good amounts of iron and dietary fiber, but its main reputation is for abundant antioxidants and its renowned essential oil.
Oregano and Strong Antioxidants
Antioxidants are powerful, anti-aging plant nutrients and phytochemicals that help the body control free radicals that form in the natural process of cell respiration, but can cause DNA damage that leads to chronic diseases. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) scale, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data Laboratory, rates 1 teaspoon dried oregano with roughly the same antioxidant worth as two cups of red grapes.
Oregano and Anti-cancer Effects
Due to strong phytochemicals in oregano – notably quercetin – researchers have conducted promising lab and animal tests that show anti-cancer effects of oregano. Quercetin appears to slow cancer growth and promotes apoptosis, a natural cell death not usual for cancer cells. Naturopathic physician James LaValle notes that in the lab, an anti-inflammatory component of oregano, rosmarinic acid, blocks the Cox-2 enzyme in the body that causes pain and possibly cancer.
Potent Oregano Essential Oil
Most herbs produce oil, through a steam distillation process, that contains a concentration of the plant’s powerful chemicals. The aromatic result is called essential oil or volatile oil. Physician Cass Ingram, writer of over 10 books about oregano oil, says it is nature’s most multipurpose essential oil. Oregano oil is reputed to kill viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. However, Dr. Cass notes, the oregano oil source has to be the wild oregano leaves that grow in the mountains of the Mediterranean countries.
Researcher Harry Preuss, M. D., of Georgetown University Medical Center, found that oregano essential oil was just as effective as the antibiotic drug Vancomycin in killing staphylococcus bacteria in test tubes. He repeated the effect in a small mice study.
Two of the powerful components of the oil – carvacrol and thymol – are credited for the medicinal properties that include battling upper respiratory problems like bronchitis, and digestive distresses like flatulence. An article appearing in the October 2001 issue of Business Week noted that oregano essential oil could be the next wonder drug.
The Resourceful Herb Oregano
Oregano is an excellent, spicy herb of choice for Mediterranean and Mexican cooking. A pizza must have the herb. The wondrous, healthy properties, though, come from the concentrated form – oregano essential oil – found for sale in capsule or liquid form. Attributed to the oil are antimicrobial properties that benefit respiration and digestion problems. Scientists are studying the herb’s powerful antioxidants for anti-cancer possibilities.
Reference
Duke, James A., Ph. D. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1997.
Ingram, Cass., D.O. The Cure is in the Cupboard. Vernon Hills, IL: Knowledge House, 2008.
Oregano leaves
|
Oregano flowers + a cabbage white
|
Greek pizza
|
What do you think about this article?
Comments
More in Health & Wellness
Latest Articles