oregano (Origanum vulgare), is a herbaceous or slightly sub-shrubby perennial plant with oval, whole, opposite leaves. THE fiori mostly pink, they form apical inflorescences with a compound corymb. In its spontaneous state, oregano is mountain plant. The scientific name derives from the Greek oros, mountain, and from ganos, splendor. This plant needs a nice warm sun to develop its full aroma. Let's find out better.
> 1. Properties and benefits of oregano
> 2. Calories and nutritional values ​​of oregano
> 3. How to use oregano
Properties and benefits of oregano
Oregano has medicinal properties indisputable, contained in the flowering tops.
Its flowers contain an essential oil made up of various aromatic substances (terpinene, thymol, carvacrol), which develop a particular and unmistakable strong and penetrating flavor. The aromatic substances contained inessential oil of the flowers of the oregano plant have some beneficial effects:
- They promote digestion, stimulating salivary and gastric secretions and having aperitif properties;
- They are of help in case of meteorism as they facilitate the expulsion of gases from the intestine;
- They have tonic properties for the nervous system;
- They clear the airways in case of cold e cough;
- They exercise a bland disinfectant action.
Calories and nutritional values ​​of oregano
100 g of oregano contains 265 kcal, e:
- 9 g protein
- G carbohydrates 68,92
- Sugars 4,09 g
- 4,28 g fat
- Dietary fiber 42,5 g
- Sodium 25 mg
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How to use oregano
infusion, prepared with 1 teaspoon of dried herb to a cup of boiling water is indicated for colds, headache and gastrointestinal upset;
- Decoction, prepared by boiling for 3 minutes 1 teaspoon of dried oregano is indicated in case of nervous tension;
- Cataplasm, prepared by heating the oregano leaves in case of a stiff neck;
- Suffumigi inhalations, facilitate the elimination of phlegm and exert a certain sedative action on cough;
- gargling, made with oregano flower decoction purify mouth and throat,
- Oregano bath, the decoction added to bath water or foot baths, exerts an action relaxing and deodorant.
- Essential oil, the antiseptic power of oregano effectively fights skin fungi, and in particular the athlete's foot. Obviously, the oil must be diluted before being applied.
Oregano is emmenagogue, that is, it promotes menstruation, for this reason it must be absolutely avoided in pregnancy.
In the cosmetic field, oregano leaves can be used for restore elasticity and brightness to the skin of the face. In the presence of cellulite, an oregano-based oil can be prepared to be used daily after a shower as a healing moisturizer. The doses are 10 g of essential oil of oregano in 90 g of sweet almond oil: mix the oils and carefully massage the cellulitis.
For his digestive and aromatic properties oregano occupies a prominent place in the kitchen, especially in the preparation of Mediterranean dishes.
Its leaves, however, can also be used to dress salads and meats.
When harvesting oregano, it is necessary not to be deceived by the plants that grow luxuriant and flourishing along the ditches and in the humid areas: although they are much richer and taller, they have less perfume and aroma than the oregano that grows in the driest and sunniest places, where it is good to harvest, to get the best out of the plant.
oregano it should be dried in the shade and stored in hermetically sealed packaging. It is good to add oregano to foods that require it also to obtain a good secretion of gastric juices and a good functioning of the liver, with a considerable advantage for digestion.
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The essential oil of oregano among the natural remedies for candidiasis
Other articles on oregano:
> Oregano and edible wild plants
> Among the spices and natural antibiotic aromatic plants, oregano
> Oregano among natural antibiotics
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