Oregano
A staple ingredient in different cuisines worldwide, oregano has a potent flavor that gives dishes a specific warmth and subtle sweetness. While many use oregano for its flavor, many rely on the herb for its benefits to overall health. The same antioxidants that give the oregano its distinct scent and flavor also contribute to its medicinal qualities. Some of the ailments it can treat include skin sores, aching muscles, asthma, cramping, diarrhea, indigestion, and colds.
Oregano is also known for relieving inflammation, regulating lipids and blood sugar, and fighting cancer. It also has potent antibacterial properties thanks to its thymol and carvacrol content. In a laboratory study, these components were able to prevent different strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria from thriving in dairy products and meat, indicating that it may control their growth.
Amid the increasing concerns about specific diseases being more resistant to antibiotic treatment, research has been conducted into oregano’s antimicrobial effects. The studies found oregano oil to have considerable antibacterial activity against eleven such microbes, suggesting that some substances within oregano can be effective against conditions that may not necessarily respond to traditional antibiotic treatment. However, it doesn’t mean they can prevent all bacterial infections.
