Nutrition

Did you know there are at least five amazing reasons to use oregano to support your digestive health?

Oregano is mainly known for imparting its flavor into our culinary dishes especially Mediterranean recipes.  

For medicinal uses the fresh or dried leaves can be used as a tea, as a tincture, or as an essential oil.  

Because the digestive system is linked to our immune system, and our ability to combat microbes such as viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi, and parasites this is an herb that is essential to keep on hand when needed, or use as a protectant for ten days, then take ten days off switching to another favorite herb.  This keeps your body from developing an aversion, or becoming too accustomed thus ignoring its effects.

Here are my reasons I love oregano!

1. Antiviral and immune boosting properties.  It is powerful in stimulating the body’s immune system to produce white blood cells, which defend us from viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
2. Contains Vitamins A and C, and other antioxidant compounds known to help boost our immune system.
3. Potent against yeast and fungi.  It inhibits the growth of Candida from its Carvacrol and thymol compounds.  You can use the tea as an external wash.  Diluted oregano oil can be applied to toenails, and feet for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, and on the skin for ringworm.  
4. Anti-inflammatory effects, and antioxidants benefit our skin.  The skin and digestive are connected that when we have constipation, infection, or inflammation in our gut it affects the appearance of our skin with possible rashes, blemishes, wrinkles, dryness, or infections.  People with inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel disease often have bumps, blemishes, rashes, or irritations on their skin.  Make an herbal tea using the fresh leaves of oregano and drink daily for ten days.  Then take ten days off, and repeat.  
5. Benefits the heart and cardiovascular system.  Our heart and blood circulation is necessary to bring needed nutrients throughout our body including the digestive tract, and to remove waste products.

How to use oregano…

• Place some leaves in your tea cup and bruise with a spoon or use a mortar and pestle.  You can use dried leaves, but the fresh leaves will have more essential oil intact.  Pour boiling water over, let steep 2-5 minutes and enjoy!
• To use it as a wash, let the tea cool, and don’t add any honey, or sweetener.  Apply to affected area.
• Using the essential oil of oregano:  Be sure to dilute with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, or almond oil.  Add a few drops of oil to 1 teaspoon of the carrier oil.  Apply to affected area avoided mucus membranes.

How have you used oregano?

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