Wild Oregano Oil Health Benefits

Mediterranean Herb Used for Culinary Purposes

herbs

Oregano is an herb native to the Mediterranean region and central Asia. It has been used for culinary purposes for centuries. The ancient Greeks must have understood its value as their name for the herb translates into “joy of the mountain.” If you use the herb, you may not be surprised to find that it’s more than just a way to spice up your meal. Besides being prized for its flavor, it also considered to have many health benefits as well.

Oregano as an Antioxidant

Perhaps one of the most noteworthy traits of oregano is its antioxidant properties. Did you know that oregano has been shown to have over 42x the antioxidant activity of apples, 30x higher than potatoes, and 12x more than oranges? It is also rich in vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, zinc, iron, protein, calcium, magnesium, fiber, vitamin B3, B6, C and E. But that’s the small stuff!

Oregano as Natural Antibiotic

What interests scientists about this herb is not what is found in the farm grown oregano you add to your favorite pasta, but the remarkable properties found in the oil that is made from the leaves and flowers of the wild oregano plant that grows naturally in the mountainous Mediterranean regions. Oil of wild oregano has been shown to have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Most notably, its bioactives, thymol and carvacrol, can help inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria and fungi, such as ones that can cause food-borne illnesses. In fact, studies have shown that oregano oil appears to reduce infection as effectively as traditional antibiotics.

Oregano as Natural Antiviral and Antifungal Agent

And it’s not just that its antibacterial properties rival even pharmaceutical antibiotics such as streptomycin, penicillin, vancomycin, nystatin, and amphotericin in their ability to eliminate microbes. Wild mountain oregano has also proven useful as an antiviral and antifungal agent. Remarkably, Oil of Oregano accomplishes this without promoting the development of drug resistant strains and other problems often attributed to the use of standard antivirals and antibiotics. In addition to this already impressive list of abilities, Oil of Oregano is also a powerful parasitic expellant. These are a few of the reasons why you’ll find it in Jon Barron’s Super ViraGon formula.

More Oregano Natural Health Benefits

Some common infectious ailments that wild mountain oregano oil may help improve include:

  • respiratory problems
  • psoriasis
  • eczema
  • athlete’s foot
  • yeast infections
  • harmful organism infestations

In addition, a study from the US Department of Agriculture showed that oregano essential oil presents antimicrobial activity against Salmonella and E. coli.

How to Take Oregano Oil

Again, what’s important to note about oregano oil is that most of what you’ll find in traditional grocery stores is not actually wild Mediterranean oregano. The two varieties that offer health benefits include Thymus capitatus, which grows in Spain, and Origanum vulgare, which grows throughout the rest of the Mediterranean region. Look for certified organic wild mountain oregano oil in liquid form.

Click here for more information on herbs that can help boost your immunity.

 

Resources:
http://health.learninginfo.org/oregano.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/408956-the-health-benefits-of-oregano/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/oregano-oil/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11456186