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Oregano, a culinary delight renowned for its aromatic presence in savory dishes, emerges as a potential powerhouse of health benefits, with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties offering a myriad of promising applications, transcending its role as a mere flavor enhancer.

Belonging to the mint family, or Lamiaceae, oregano boasts a rich history of culinary and medicinal use spanning thousands of years.

Among the various types of oregano, Oregano vulgare, also known as Spanish thyme or wild marjoram, reigns as the most prevalent. From culinary applications to herbal supplements and aromatic oils, oregano's versatility knows no bounds.

The robust health benefits of oregano stem from its abundance of antioxidants, including thymol, carvacrol, limonene, terpinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene, which not only contribute to its distinctive flavor and aroma but also underpin its therapeutic potential.

These antioxidants play a pivotal role in neutralizing free radicals, mitigating oxidative stress, and safeguarding against cellular damage, thus offering protection against a spectrum of diseases, including cancer and diabetes.

Below are some of the health benefits provided by oregano, per Medical News Today:

Mental Health

In 2018, researchers investigated the impact of oregano oil and other compounds on rats suffering from depression induced by chronic unpredictable stress.

Following a 14-day treatment regimen, rats administered with oregano oil exhibited an amelioration in stress-related behaviors. As a result, the study authors inferred the potential of oregano in alleviating stress-induced behavior.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

As per a literature review, the oils and components found in oregano oil, notably thymol and rosmarinic acid, seem to possess anti-inflammatory characteristics.

Animal research has demonstrated that oregano extract can mitigate inflammation associated with conditions such as autoimmune arthritis, allergic asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. It's essential to note that these studies utilized concentrated oregano extracts, which differ from the consumption of oregano in the human diet.

Cancer Prevention

Studies indicate that extracts could shield cells from DNA damage caused by oxidative stress, radiation, and proteins that spur unwanted cell growth.

Carvacrol and thymol, found in oregano, may hinder the growth of melanoma cells and stop skin cancer from spreading.

While oregano alone may not prevent cancer, a diverse diet full of plants and antioxidants may safeguard against cellular changes that lead to cancer.

In 2013, laboratory tests hinted that Origanum majorana might delay or halt the advancement of metastatic breast cancer.

Antibacterial Properties

The primary components of oregano essential oil, carvacrol, and thymol, may possess antimicrobial abilities.

In a 2019 lab study, carvacrol and thymol were found to inhibit the growth of different strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in meat and dairy products, hinting at their potential to curb bacterial proliferation in food.

With increasing concerns about antibiotic-resistant diseases, researchers conducted lab experiments to explore oregano oil's impact on microbes resistant to conventional drugs.

Results revealed "significant antibacterial activity" of oregano oil against 11 such microbes, suggesting its potential in combating diseases resistant to antibiotics.

However, while these findings imply that oregano compounds may have antibacterial properties, consuming oregano does not guarantee prevention of infections.