Herbs

The Many Uses of Oregano

Oregano has been used for its medicinal values for thousands of years. The name oregano is derived from a Grecian word meaning 'joy of the mountains'. Ancient Grecian physicians prescribed oregano for conditions such as trauma, wounds, headaches, lung disorders, asthma, seizures, venomous bites and narcotic poisoning. During the middle ages, Islamic people used oregano oil as a germ killer as well as a food preserver as it helped prevent microbial growth. In 17th century Britain, oregano was used for head colds.

Oregano has also been consumed as a food throughout the world for its nutritional values. Oregano is rich in minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, boron, potassium, copper, and manganese. It is ranked as one of the best sources of naturally occurring iron and has 16 times more calcium than milk.

Wild oregano is not the same as the one found in the spice section or the type in pizza sauce. There are over 30 different species of oregano and there can be confusion in respect to its medicinal qualities. Medicinal grade oregano comes from a unique species of plants, which grow wils around the world. THe highest grade is found in the Mediterranean area. It takes about 1000 pounds of wild oregano to produce 1 pound of oil.

People use oil of oregano for many of its health benefits. The most well known is its microbial killing power. It is a premier natural antiseptic. Every microbe tested against oil of oregano has been succumbed and there is no tendency for buildup of microbial resistance. Oil of oregano can be used for:

allergies
antifungal, including candida albicans
antioxidant powers
arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, and other related problems
athletes foot
bacterial infections and parasites
bee stings, insect bites and venomous bites
dandruff, diaper rash, cradle cap
diarrhea and intestinal gas
digestive problems
eczema
immune system boost
migraine headaches
muscle aches and pains
nail fungus
pain killer – nearly as powerful as morphine
psoriasis
respiratory problems
sinus and nose problems
skin disorders and rashes
sore throat
thrush (white coating in the mouth, which is candida)

One of our favorite oils of oregano is Oreganol by North American Herb & Spice Company. The oregano they use is the real, 100% Mediterranean oregano, guaranteed to be handpicked in the pristine, untarnished wilderness. They even PAY the villagers to limit picking to preserve and protect the plants. Old-fashioned cold pressing and steam distillation produce their oil and no chemicals are used.

It is important to select a high-grade oil of oregano, as they are not all the same. There are a number of things you should be looking for in a quality oil of oregano, including if it is wild, not farm-raised, a proven edible species, extracted in a natural process, and free of chemicals and pesticide residue.

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