It is available dry, fresh, or extracted as oil.
It is commonly known for its use in Italian and Greek cuisine.
With a bold, earthy flavor, oregano is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.
annick vanderschelden photography / Getty Images
annick vanderschelden photography / Getty Images
How Is Oregano Used?
Oregano is a flavorful, aromatic herb that is used dried or fresh in a variety of cuisines.
It can be described as tasting sweetly spicy.
Some chefs describe oregano as having a peppery bite with a minty aroma.
Oregano Oil vs. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano oil extract and oregano essential oil are not the same.
At the same time, oregano essential oil is not meant to be ingested.
Therefore, not enough is known about the appropriate doses and long-term effects of supplementing with oregano oil.
Yet, using oregano in cooking can add flavor and nutrition without adding fat andsodium.
Eating fresh oregano raw is typically uncommon as people find the flavor too pungent.
But fresh, chopped oregano can be added to salads or in the final stages of cooking dishes.
Consider oregano another plant that you’re able to add to your eating regimen.
Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties
Antibacterials can prevent the growth or spread of bacteria.
Therefore, more research is needed.
Oregano oil may also be used to repel certain types of bugs.
In a laboratory experiment, researchers found that oregano essential oil was able to deter bedbugs.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Oregano contains a wide variety of plant-based antioxidants.
The two studied the most are carvacrol and thymol.
But more human research is needed.
Cancer Protection
The antioxidants found in oregano may assist in protecting cells from damage.
Oregano also containsquercetin,another plant-based antioxidant that can protect cells from damage.
Eating a diet rich in plants provides ample amounts of vitamins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
They had less immobility in the forced swim test.
This data could be promising data, but the experiment hasn’t been replicated in humans.
More research in humans of longer duration is needed to determine the impact of oregano on brain health.
If you’d like to supplement with oil of oregano, reach out to your medical provider.
Large doses of oregano can increase bleeding.
Because oregano contains vitamin K, people who takeblood-thinning medicationsshould monitor their intake.
If you take medicines for diabetes, oregano can increase the risk of low blood sugar.
Discuss with your healthcare provider before supplementing with oil of oregano.
Summary
Oregano is a flavorful and versatile ingredient that can be used in cooking.
Eating fresh or dried oregano is a great way to add in plant-based antioxidants.
Using herbs to flavor food naturally reduces the use of sodium, fat, and sugar.
The verdict on the health benefits and safety of oil of oregano is still out.
Research investigating its health benefits mainly resides in high-dose formulations used in test tube and animal studies.
More human randomized clinical control trials are needed to evaluate potential therapeutic effects in humans.
Before supplementing with oil of oregano, talk to your healthcare provider.
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