Oil of Wonder! Oregano Heals Many Ailments
Oregano isn't just a tasty spice
Many of us have enjoyed oregano with our foods at one point or
another. But how much more would you enjoy it if you realized just
how beneficial oregano can be to your health? You would probably
sprinkle it on more than just your pizza and spaghetti, right?
Oregano is one of the most diverse health aids available.
Unfortunately, however, much of the oregano that consumers are
familiar with contains only trace quantities of the the actual species
of that plant, or in some cases, none at all.
Meanwhile, researchers have uncovered numerous benefits to
using oregano and extracted oil of oregano. But buyer beware,
these significant health benefits are unattainable if the oregano is
not the true substance.
General Description
Mediterranean Oregano is the dried leaf of Origanum vulgare L., a
perennial herb in the mint family. Mexican Oregano is the dried leaf
of one of several plants of the Lippia genus.
Oil of Oregano has ancient roots
Nevertheless, true oil of oregano offers many exciting remedies to
a variety of ailments. In Herbal Renaissance, Steven Foster credits
oregano as having "been employed to treat indigestion,
headaches, diarrhea, nervous tension, insect bites, toothache,
earache, rheumatism, and coughs due to whooping cough and
bronchitis (primarily for its antispasmodic effects)."
The ancient Greeks were among the first to take advantage of
oregano's medicinal qualities. The Greeks termed the useful spice
origanos, meaning "delight of the mountains."
Although there are a wide variety of plants that are confused with
oregano-including marjoram, thyme and sage-true oregano grows
wild in Mediterranean regions such as Greece. The wild oregano is
the source of surprisingly potent oil of oregano.
