Jakarta (ANTARA) – Oregano leaves which have a sweet and spicy taste are believed to improve health, no wonder this herbal plant is often included in the Mediterranean diet menu.
Quoted by Boldsky, according to the journal Molecules, oregano refers to plant varieties with a similar taste and smell. There are about 61 species and 17 genera of plants that belong to six botanical families called oregano. Some of the names of the oregano family include Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae and Rubiaceae.
Oregano is famous for its essential oil, which is an essence derived from an aromatic plant. This oil is packed with compounds like terpenes, esters and aldehydes that have great therapeutic benefits.
The herb oregano and oregano essential oil are of great importance in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Oregano essential oil has a complex mixture of volatile compounds that vary depending on the oregano species, geographic location, pests, soil conditions, season and other growing conditions.
Some of the main active compounds in oregano oil include thymol, carvacrol, beta-myrcene, camphene, caryophyllene, gamma-terpinene, linalool and trans-sabinene hydrate. The following are the health benefits of oregano and its oil.
1. Relieves menstrual cramps
Oregano has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help in the management of pain-related disorders, including menstrual cramps.
When consumed or applied topically, the active compounds of oregano can help relax the digestive muscles, reduce uterine contractions and thus, relieve cramps on the move. Oregano also has anti-spasmodic activity which can help relieve spasms in the pelvis and uterus.
2. Improve heart health
Oregano is packed with heart-healthy nutrients such as potassium and magnesium which have a major role in maintaining heart arrhythmias or maintaining a normal heart rate. They also help lower blood pressure and thus, keep the risk of hypertension away.
Oregano’s anti-oxidant potential can also help prevent oxidative damage to heart cells and improve their function, while its anti-inflammatory properties reduce the risk of chronic heart inflammation, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
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3. Has antimicrobial
Oregano has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Compounds such as carvacrol and terpenes in oregano are known to inhibit various viral pathogens such as the H1N1 virus, adenovirus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans such as fungi. Oregano also helps fight various resistant strains of pathogens.
4. Treating malaria
Oregano essential oil contains main compounds such as carvacrol, linalool, thymol, terpinene and cymene which have antiparasitic potential against parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum.
These parasitic genera are widely known to cause parasitic infections such as malaria and sleeping sickness. Oregano oil can help inhibit the growth of the malarial protozoa and thus, treat the infection efficiently.
5. Improve bone health
As per the USDA, oregano contains 1600 mg of calcium per 100 g. The high amount of calcium in oregano can help maintain healthy bones, prevent bone loss, increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of related diseases such as arthritis.
The flavonoids in oregano may also aid in promoting bone health, while its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities prevent bone damage by harmful free radicals.
6. Improve digestive health
Oregano has a positive effect on digestive health and can help treat or improve related problems such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and digestive problems.
It can also help reduce signs of inflammation that cause stomach upset and kill pathogens that cause diarrhea and indigestion. The astringent properties of oregano also help cool the digestive system.
7. Treating nasal congestion
Oregano’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can help treat patients suffering from nasal congestion, improve their breathing, and prevent further microbial growth.
The scent of herbs like camphor is also a great way to get rid of a stuffy nose. Inhaling oregano oil by mixing it in boiling water can help improve symptoms.
8. Has chemopreventive properties
Different properties such as antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimutagenic of oregano oil contribute to the chemopreventive properties of the herb. Oregano and its oil can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent their spread.
Oregado can inhibit the growth of colon carcinoma cells, hepatocarcinoma cells and breast cancer cells. Oregano can also alter the DNA of cancer-causing cells and thus, promote healthy cell growth.
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Reporter: Maria Cicilia
Editor: Alviansyah Pasaribu
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