Regan

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The oregano is known in botany as Origanum vulgare and is very close to marjoram. It is a small shrub with several branches, whose stems are decorated with small gray-brown oval leaves and small white or pink flowers. In the Mediterranean climate, oregano grows as a perennial plant, but in harsher places, such as North America, it is grown as an annual spice.

The warm, soothing and fragrant taste of oregano make it the perfect addition to Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine. This popular spice, whose name means "mountain joy", is available in stores all year round.

Although many people think of pizza when it comes to oregano, it can add a soft, soothing and fragrant taste to a variety of dishes, especially those in Mediterranean cuisine.

Oregano originates from Northern Europe, although it has grown in many other parts of the world. It was deeply revered by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who laid wreaths woven of oregano on brides and grooms. The first written records of oregano use came from the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates used oregano as an antiseptic to treat stomach and respiratory problems. With oregano essential oil, the Greeks treated snake and spider bites.

Composition of oregano

In the stems, leaves and oregano flowers contains a large amount of phenols and flavonoids. The main active ingredients in it are pimen, lemon, ocimen, carvacrol and caryophyllene.

Oregano is a very good source of iron, manganese and dietary fiber, as well as calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids.

Selection and storage of oregano

- Whenever possible, choose fresh oregano instead of dried, as it is more fragrant;

- The leaves of fresh oregano should be fresh and bright green, and the stems firm;

- Prefer organically grown oregano;

- Fresh oregano should be stored in the refrigerator in a paper towel;

- Dried oregano is stored in a glass container with a lid in a dry, cool and dark place.

Cooking with oregano

Fresh oregano

The plant is often used in tomato sauces, in foods that contain a lot of cooked vegetables or even on grilled meat. For example, in Asian cuisine, the spice is added to the water in which the beef is boiled, because it has the power to eliminate the classic smell of beef and offers a special smell and freshness of the meat. You can also add a spice to spicy or aromatic foods.

On the other hand, if you are a fan of Italian food, then oregano is the spice you should not miss, because it is the base that offers a special taste for:

- Italian pasta;

- Italian pizza;

- Pizza dough;

- Classic Italian salads;

- Cheese;

- Olives;

- Sauces based on lemon and olive oil;

- Grilled meat.

- Oregano should always be added at the end of cooking to retain its flavor;

- Whenever you make a pizza, add a few slices of freshly sliced oregano;

- Oregano is suitable for sauteed mushrooms or onions;

- Add a little fresh oregano to olive oil;

- Add oregano to your homemade garlic bread.

- Oregano is very suitable for salad dressings;

- Dried oregano is added to fish, tomato sauces and marinades;

- Add a sprig of oregano in a bottle with vinegar or olive oil and it will acquire a delicate aroma;

- The oregano is combined great with olives, capers, ham and fish salad;

- Oregano is an indispensable spice in roast pork and lamb;

- Oregano is added shortly before the dish is ready, so as not to lose its aroma and taste.

Dried oregano

- Dried oregano is added to juicy steaks and barbecue skewers and gives them an exceptional flavor.

Add a teaspoon of this spice to mushroom dishes or salad dressings and change the taste of the dishes. In addition, this spice combines very well:

Benefits of oregano

You may have seen the label of oregano oil in health food stores. There is certainly a reason for this!

- It has effective antibacterial properties. In Mexico, researchers compared oregano to tinidazole, a drug often prescribed for infections caused by the amoeba Giardia lamblia. They found that oregano was more effective against Guardia than other commonly prescribed medications.

- Has an antioxidant effect. The oregano contains many phytonutrients, including thymol and rosemary acid, which act as antioxidants capable of protecting cellular structures from oxygen-related damage. In addition, one gram of fresh oregano has been shown to have 42 times more antioxidant power than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.

- It is a spice rich in various nutrients. Oregano is a very good source of fiber, which protects the colon from cancer-causing toxins and removes them from the body. Therefore, high-fiber diets are good for lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cancer.

- Oregano is useful for cough, sore throat, flu and helps expectoration. Helps with painful menstruation.

Harm from oregano

There are no specific indications to look out for when using oregano. However, manifestations of allergic reactions in isolated cases are not excluded. Be careful, because oregano extract has a very strong sedative effect, so it should not be taken in large doses. If you take any oregano product, follow the exact doses on the package. The use of dried oregano in the form of a spice has no contraindications.

Oregano tea

Oregano is a good spice for pizza and pasta, but also an excellent remedy for coughs, asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis. Oregano tea has many benefits for the body.

Oregano is known for its delicious taste and is often used in Italian dishes. However, oregano is also very healthy, and since ancient times has been recognized as a medicinal plant with many benefits for the body.

Research shows that oregano tea has a strong antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effect, so you have every reason to consume it as often as possible. Let's find out more about the properties of oregano tea.

Oregano tea: What does it contain?

Oregano tea is rich in nutrients with many benefits for the body. Contains vitamin A, C, E, K, calcium fiber, niacin, manganese, folic acid, magnesium, iron, zeaxanthin and lutein. Also, this Mediterranean plant helps to detoxify the body, regulates hormone levels and is one of the most powerful plants with antioxidant effect.

Researchers claim that the antioxidant effect of the oregano plant is 42 times stronger than that offered by apples.

Oregano tea is also an excellent remedy for many medical problems, such as:

- colds and coughs;

- asthma;

- arthritis;

- digestive disorders;

- acne;

- dandruff;

- bronchitis;

- toothache;

- ballooning;

- headache;

- gastroesophageal reflux;

- allergies;

- intestinal parasites;

- urinary tract infections;

- menstrual cramps.

How to make oregano tea?

Oregano tea can be consumed daily and is useful for coughs, colds, sinusitis, infections, asthma, rheumatism, bronchitis and intestinal parasites.

To make oregano tea, you need:

- 4-6 tablespoons dried oregano;

- 2 glasses of water;

- a slice of lemon;

- honey (optional).

After the water boils, turn off the heat and add the dried oregano.

Leave to infuse under the lid for 5 minutes.

Strain the tea and after it cools down a bit, you can add lemon and honey.

Oregano oil

How to use oregano oil? It is an excellent remedy for various infections such as candidiasis.

Oregano oil can be used in nail infections. Put a few drops of oregano oil in warm water and hold your feet for a few minutes. It can still be massaged on the problem area, but only after diluting a little with olive oil (1 drop of oregano oil in a tablespoon of olive / coconut oil).

Inhalations with oregano oil for sinusitis and nasal congestion

Put a few drops of oregano oil in a bowl of hot water and inhale to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis and colds.

Oregano oil under the tongue to treat infections and intestinal parasites

Dilute 1 drop of oregano oil with 2-3 drops of olive oil, put a drop of the mixture under the tongue, wait a few minutes, then rinse your mouth with water. This ritual is repeated four times a day.