Did you know that there are different plants that can be used as medicinal remedies? Although it is important that we go to the doctor in the case of suffering from any infection or disease, we also have the option of accompanying the treatments that have been prescribed with a natural remedy that has a positive effect on our health, such as wild or cultivated oregano. home.
The oregano plant, also known scientifically as Origanum vulgare L., is a perennial shrub of the labiaceae family that is used mainly as a condiment for many dishes due to its characteristic aroma. However, in addition to this use, this plant has medicinal properties that can alleviate the symptoms of some diseases, including digestive and respiratory conditions. Do you want to know more about the different healing properties of oregano? Keep reading this oneHOWTO article and discover what is oregano used for as a medicinal plant.
Oregano (scientifically called Origanum vulgare L.) is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the Labiadas family and is grown mainly in Europe and Asia, being widely used in Mediterranean cuisine for its excellent aroma. In addition to its culinary use, health benefits of oregano In general, they have caused this plant to also be used as a medicinal remedy to alleviate different ailments. However, before explaining what does oregano cure, it is important that we also know the nutrients with which this aromatic plant is composed, that is, the active ingredients or components of oregano:
- Essential oils: it is especially rich in phenolic substances such as carvacrol and thymol. It also has a good contribution of cineole, limonene, alpha-pinene, caryophylleno and borneol, among others.
- Acids: it has chlorogenic, ferulic, rosmarinic, caffeic, oleanolic, ursolic, vanillinic and palmitic acid.
- Minerals: it has a high potassium content. It also contains other minerals such as manganese, zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium.
- Vitamins: contains beta-carotene (vitamin A precursors) and niacin (vitamin B3).
- Other nutrients: it has flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin and luteolin) and tannins.
As we have already indicated, oregano is considered a medicinal plant due to its different health properties. But, What exactly does oregano cure? To answer this, you must first clarify the main properties of oregano, granted for its active principles mentioned above.
- Digestive
- Appetizer
- Choleretic
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anangesic
- Diuretic
- Diaphoretic
- Emmenagogue
- Carminative
- Antiseptic
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Expectorant
Next, we will explain what is oregano used for as a medicinal plant, thanks to these mentioned properties.
Improves digestive problems
One of the healing properties of oregano Most notable is its digestive effect, which is especially useful in the case of suffering from some conditions such as intestinal spasms. In addition, thanks to its content of thymol, carvacrol and caffeic acid, oregano also has excellent carminative properties that promote the expulsion of intestinal gases and therefore reduce the ailments caused by flatulence. For these cases, it is important to prepare this plant in the form of tea or oregano infusion that we will explain in the later section.
Natural treatment for respiratory diseases
Other benefits of oregano as a medicinal plant are its powerful anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antiseptic properties due to its content in acids and essential oils. Thanks to these properties, this medicinal plant is an excellent natural remedy for respiratory ailments caused by infections such as flu, colds and bronchitis since it manages to reduce some symptoms of these conditions such as cough, inflammation and the germs that cause infection. As in the previous case, oregano tea will be the most suitable form for this type of case.
Oregano is a natural antiseptic and antibiotic
Thanks to its polyphenol content such as carvacrol and thymol, oregano is considered a natural antibiotic that helps eliminate different infectious conditions caused by bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis wave Escherichia coli, among other. In addition, thanks to these essential oils, this plant has antifungal properties that reduce the fungi that cause infections such as candidiasis.
We recommend you read this other oneHOWTO article in which we talk about How to cure fungi with oregano, but if you know that the type of fungus you suffer from is the one that causes candidiasis, one of the most common, we also recommend this other post about How to take oregano oil for yeast infection.
Properties of oregano to lose weight
Oregano can also be a good supplement for weight loss. On the one hand, we have already said that it has digestive and carminative properties that reduce flatulence and, on the other hand, it has antioxidant and diuretic properties that accelerate the burning of fats and the elimination of retained fluids. Anyway, we emphasize that it is a supplement to lose weight and that its greatest effectiveness for this is in tea or infusion, by including water. Thus, to lose weight, it will be vital to follow a balanced diet and exercise, following a healthy lifestyle.
In this other post we tell you more about the Properties of oregano to lose weight and lose weight naturally.
As we have already seen in the previous sections, one of the most used forms for medicinal purposes is the oregano tea. Therefore, we will show you below how oregano is prepared as a medicinal plant in the form of an infusion or tea with a simple step by step:
Ingredients
- 300 ml of water
- 1 tablespoon of oregano
- Honey, sugar, stevia, or lemon to taste (optional)
Preparation
- Add the mineral water in a saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it starts to boil.
- Once the water reaches its boiling point, add 1 tablespoon of dried oregano to the saucepan and immediately turn off the heat and cover the container.
- Let the oregano rest in the water for 10 minutes to infuse well and then strain the contents to remove the remains of the plant.
- Sweeten the drink with a little honey or lemon and drink the oregano infusion that you just prepared.
In the event that you use the oregano infusion for digestive, respiratory or bacterial conditions, you will have to take 3 cups a day. On the other hand, if you want to use oregano tea to relieve menstrual symptoms or for its circulatory properties, you will have to take 2 cups a day. However, before taking this natural remedy it is advisable that you consult it with your GP.
Learn what oregano tea is for in more detail in this other article.
Although oregano as a medicinal plant is very beneficial, it also has aspects that must be taken into account to take it correctly.
Contraindications of oregano
- The infusion or tea or oregano oil is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
- Its consumption in infusion, tea or oil is not recommended in children under 6 years of age.
- In case of having an allergy to any of its components.
Oregano side effects
There are only side effects in normal consumption in people allergic to any of the components of this plant. The rest of possible side effects only occur when taking it in excess or, for example, by taking the essential oil of pure oregano directly or in quantity. Some adverse effects in such cases are:
- Allergy.
- Abundant rules.
- Stomachache.