{"id":6091,"date":"2019-05-07T07:56:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T07:56:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=6091"},"modified":"2021-06-05T03:04:38","modified_gmt":"2021-06-05T03:04:38","slug":"20-health-benefits-of-fresh-oregano-leaves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/20-health-benefits-of-fresh-oregano-leaves\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Health Benefits of Fresh Oregano Leaves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When most of us think about oregano, we imagine the crushed green herb sprinkled across a fresh pizza or salad. However, it may surprise you to learn that oregano offers plenty of medicinal benefits as well. The essential oil extract from the herbaceous plant serves as a tonic and topical oil that has a variety of uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The active compounds in oregano can assist in the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and even cancer. Traditional medicine revers oregano oil, and homeopaths all over the world regard it for its antimicrobial properties that prevent the spread of disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you choose to add oregano to your salads and pasta dishes or decide to try the essential oil to moisturize your skin \u2013 oregano deserves a spot in your medicine cabinet or kitchen pantry. Here are eight health benefits of using fresh oregano and the herbal essential oil. Add the herb to your meals or make a home remedy with the oil.
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1. Prevent Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of studies showing the antimicrobial effects of oregano oil<\/a> in protecting the body from infection. The carvacrol found in oregano essential oil has potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which make it a suitable natural remedy for treating and preventing disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One study shows that the activity of herpes simplex virus in test tubes, reduced by as much as 90-percent after exposure to oregano essential oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chewing on the fresh leaves of the plant allows you to benefit from the anti-microbial properties of the polyphenols before they undergo the drying and processing phase. The fresh leaves contain anti-bacterial agents that ward off infection with the norovirus \u2013 responsible for many outbreaks of stomach infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diffusing with essential oregano oil or fresh leaf extract helps to alleviate the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Inhaling the medicated steam twice a day may soothe a sore throat, blocked sinus, and reduce levels of fatigue in affected patients.
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2. Packed with Antioxidants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Free radicals are dangerous particles that cause oxidative damage to cells, eventually resulting in cell death. We accumulate free radicals through the toxins we ingest – in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using antioxidants <\/a>is an excellent means to reduce the number of free radicals circulating in the bloodstream. Most plants and herbs have polyphenol antioxidants that provide them with their unique colors, flavors, and scents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polyphenols have different healing properties that affect the body in different ways, depending on the type of antioxidant characteristics they present. Oregano has a potent antioxidant response in the body, removing symptoms of digestive inflammation while scavenging inflammatory particles in the bloodstream. Fresh oregano leaves are rich in carvacrol and thymol, the antioxidants that prevent cell damage by free radical particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add fresh oregano leaves to your diet in salads and vegetable dishes, and protect your body from oxidative stress that leads to the signs of aging.
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3. Flu Remedy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Are you coming down with the flu? It might be a good idea to start chewing on some fresh oregano leaves to help delay the onset of your symptoms and prevent the disease from spreading through your system. Oregano features potent anti-microbial properties, giving it strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial<\/a>, and anti-fungal qualities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find that you get sick with a cold every year when the season’s change, try adding fresh oregano leaves to your diet – Additional polyphenols in your meals, help safeguard your digestive system from invading pathogens while boosting your immune health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the majority of the immune system resides in the gut, the polyphenols provide extra protection to the gastrointestinal system, as well as giving a boost to your immune response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try preparing a tea with oregano leaves and drink it once a day for five days while you\u2019re dealing with your flu symptoms. The anti-microbial effect of the oregano will help speed up your recovery time.
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4. Soothe Menstrual Cramps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Period pains vary from individual to individual in their intensity and duration. Some women may have light periods where they don\u2019t experience any symptoms. However, for some women, period pains can lead to the development of a condition called \u201cdysmenorrhea.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women with this reproductive disorder, experience unbearably painful period pains. During menstruation<\/a>, the person may experience other symptoms, such as bloating, gas, and swelling of the lower limbs as well. The physiological effects of dysmenorrhea include fatigue, mood swings, and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chewing on fresh oregano leaves when you\u2019re dealing with period pains may help reduce the symptoms associated with your condition. The polyphenols in the leaves have potent anti-inflammatory properties that provide relief from pelvic and abdominal inflammation associated with dysmenorrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those with severe symptoms, we suggest drinking oregano tea two to three times daily to provide extra support to your digestive system as well. Steep the leaves in hot water for 5-minutes and drink warm.
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5. Anti-Cancer Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 610,000 Americans die from cancer each year, making it the second leading cause of death in the United States. Lung cancer, brain cancer, melanoma<\/a>, and colorectal cancers are the most prominent forms of the disease, and responsible for the majority of cancer deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical science has not spent very much time analyzing plants for their medicinal value in treating cancer. It\u2019s thought that cancer is so aggressive that plant-based medicine offers no real practical value in cancer treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the recent data behind using cannabis to treat cancer shows promise in the medicinal value of plants in cancer therapy. Oregano is possibly the most studied herb in medical science. Research on oregano shows that the polyphenols in the fresh leaves of the plant create an environment in the body that inhibits the growth and spread of cancer cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While chewing on oregano leaves may not cure your cancer, it may help your body deal with the effects of the disease and support your chemotherapy treatment.
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6. Stops Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation <\/a>is a healthy biological response to an injury or infection, and under normal circumstances, the swelling starts the healing process. However, in cases of chronic inflammation, the affected individual may begin to develop autoimmune responses and blood glucose disorders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An example would be someone who eats processed foods high in refined carbohydrates. Carbs like sugar and white flour may create an inflammatory response in the gut that leads to bloating, gas, and abdominal cramps. Such an inflammatory response in the digestive system may signal the onset of celiac disease \u2013 an autoimmune disorder that occurs due to an adverse reaction to the gluten found in wheat and barley products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chewing on fresh oregano leaves helps curb inflammation in the digestive system. The potent polyphenol antioxidants in the herb got to work in removing inflammatory particles while reducing symptoms associated with the condition. Chew on the leaves before meals and add the dried leaves to your food for a boost to your gut health.
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7. Prevent Parasites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Intestinal parasites<\/a>, such as worms, cause multiple issues with our digestive health. We pick up tapeworm infections from a variety of sources. Eating sushi may seem like a good idea at the time, but it\u2019s a known carrier of tapeworm eggs in the raw fish they use for the sushi recipes. Letting your animals lick your face is also another possible means of transmission of parasite eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the reason for your parasite infestation, the chances are you won\u2019t even realize you have a parasite until you start to experience adverse health conditions with your gut. Tapeworm typically has a lifecycle of around 7-years, and during this time it can lay thousands of eggs. As the eggs hatch, they latch onto the intestinal wall to feed, producing symptoms of digestive discomfort and abdominal pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, parasite infestations can become life-threatening, especially if the affected person has a weakened immune system. The anti-microbial properties of oregano leaves can eliminate any parasites living in your digestive system.
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8. Fight Bacterial Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chewing on fresh oregano leaves is great for gut health. Your gastrointestinal system is home to trillions of bacteria known as biomes. These microscopic entities spend their day happily digesting the nutrients from your food while distributing them to the areas of the body that need nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we eat bad foods that contain unhealthy bacteria that cause infection, the biomes experience an imbalance, and we start to develop the signs of infection and disease in our gut. An example is an infection with bacteria that lead to a stomach bug. The bacteria may cause stomach discomfort, bloating<\/a>, gas, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea in affected individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, viral infections, such as norovirus, work their way out of your system in a few days. However, bacterial infections may persist for more extended periods and require antibiotics for treatment. Chewing on fresh oregano leaves helps keep your biome bacteria balance optimal, improving resistance against bacteria and pathogens in the gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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