Oregano essential oil: applications and benefits
Oregano essential oil has several medicinal benefits
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The essential oil of oregano is extracted from the small leaves of the herb (Origanum vulgare L.) and has medicinal properties such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic (bactericidal, antifungal, antiviral), light diuretic, digestive, orexigenic and antioxidant. Oregano essential oil is also used for various respiratory ailments.
Widely used in the Mediterranean and in cuisines around the world, oregano was first recognized in Greece to fight skin and wound infections and also to protect food from bacteria. Oregano essential oil is extracted from the leaves by cold pressing and filtration, it is used not only in cooking or as a flavoring, but also to relieve symptoms and cure illnesses.
Human health
Oregano essential oil has several applications to improve health problems. It works as an expectorant, relieving respiratory problems and also fights inflammation in the throat and lungs. It is a great internal and external anti-inflammatory, reducing irritation and relieving pain. The application in the place where the essential oil should act instead of ingesting it is better to alleviate the pain, as it will act only in the place. Oregano essential oil protects against bacteria, fungi and protozoa. By improving immunity, the essential oil of oregano protects against viruses, being very effective in preventing the flu. The antioxidant characteristic maintains health, delays aging and prevents several serious illnesses. Learn more about the topic in the article "Antioxidants: what they are and in which foods to find them".
Oregano essential oil is effective in alleviating symptoms and minimizing the severity of allergic reactions. It is recommended to balance the intestinal tract, improving digestion. It also helps to lose weight and relieve menopause symptoms.
Carvacrol, an abundant substance in the essential oil of oregano, helps to lose weight and lower cholesterol.
If you are allergic to other herbs like basil, lavender, mint, be aware that the essential oil of oregano can also cause allergic reactions.
Another widespread application of oregano essential oil is in preventing microbes from attacking animals, being a great substitute for antibiotics. Oregano essential oil also acts as a great natural food preservative.
Animal health
Applying antibiotics to poultry, cattle and pigs to prevent disease can produce superbugs. Studies try to develop managements that are less aggressive to animals, producing a kind of organic meat. One of the possible alternatives put into practice on a farm in Pennsylvania was the use of oregano essential oil in animal feed.
The German company Bayer carried out tests with the essential oil of oregano in 1999 and obtained satisfactory results, even better than some medicines produced by it. A Dutch company produces the essential oil of oregano, which was named Ropadiar and has been used effectively in combating various bacteria. Like most organic products, the final cost is higher than those that used conventional medicines. However, a survey conducted in the United States found that the North American population is willing to pay more for food, if it does not have traces of the application of antibiotics and hormones.
Oregano essential oil is a solution to the problem of infections, but it cannot be used as the only barrier to bacteria. Hygiene in the facilities where the animals are raised needs to be intense so that the environment is not conducive to the emergence of diseases that affect them.
Choose to use the essential oil of oregano in its 100% pure form, as some may contain harmful compounds that harm the skin's health, such as parabens.
Learn more about the benefits of oregano essential oil in the video:
