Oregano, also called oregano, is considered a staple herb in many cuisines around the world. It can be found fresh, dried, or as an oil, and all is said to have significant health properties. So in this article, I'm looking at four of its main health benefits.

Science-Based Health Benefits of Oregano

Number one, it's rich in antioxidants.

Oregano is rich in antioxidants which are compounds that help fight damage from harmful free radicals in the body. The buildup of free radicals has been linked to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Several test studies have found that oregano and oregano oil are high in antioxidants. Oregano essential oil is especially high in carvacrol and thymol, two antioxidants that can help prevent damage to cells caused by free radicals. In combination with other high antioxidant foods like fruits and vegetables, oregano can provide a healthy dose of antioxidants that may benefit your health.

Number two, it may help fight bacteria.

Oregano contains certain compounds that may have antibacterial properties. One test tube study shows that oregano essential oil helped block the growth of E. coli, another strain of bacteria that can cause infection. Another test tube study found that oregano was effective against 23 species of bacteria. The caveat here is that our current research is limited to test tube studies that are using very concentrated amounts of this herb. Therefore, further research is needed to determine how these results could affect humans.

Number three, it may help reduce viral infection.

In addition to fighting off bacteria, some test tube studies suggest that oregano and its compounds might help protect against some viruses. In particular, carvacrol and thymol are two compounds in oregano that have been associated with antiviral properties. In one test tube study, carvacrol inactivated norovirus, a viral infection that causes diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain, within one hour of treatment. Another test tube study found that thymol and carvacrol inactivated 90% of the herpes simplex virus within just one hour. Again, these are only test tube studies, so it hasn't been formally tested in humans.

Number four, could decrease inflammation.

Inflammation is a normal immune response that occurs as a result of illness or injury. However, chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to the development of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions. Oregano is rich in antioxidants which can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation. It also contains compounds like carvacrol that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In one animal study, carvacrol reduced swelling in the paws of mice by up to 57%. Another animal study showed that a mixture of thyme and oregano essential oils reduced the number of inflammatory markers in mice with colitis or an inflamed colon. Keep in mind, these are animal studies using concentrated amounts. Studies are needed to determine how a normal dose would affect inflammation in humans.

Ultimately, oregano is incredibly versatile and easy to incorporate into a variety of recipes, either in dried, fresh, or oil form. So if you enjoy it, you might as well add it in.