In most households, oregano is probably better known as a spice than as a medicinal plant. However, the healing effect should not be underestimated. The ancient Greeks already knew how to use oregano for healing.
Particularly important: the essential oils of oregano
While only the leaves of the plant can be used for the spice, regardless of the growing season, the whole plant is used for medicinal purposes and reaches its best harvest time at flowering time. The tannins and bitter substances of the plant, as well as their essential oils, are particularly relevant for the healing effect. The latter include thymol, carvacrol, cymene and borneol.
Oregano mainly helps against digestive problems (in the stomach, intestines, liver or bile) and respiratory diseases and has a general anti-inflammatory effect in the throat and mouth. In addition, oregano oil is considered to be the most powerful natural antibiotic. The gesundheit.de platform recommends oregano tea (a teaspoon of oregano in a quarter liter of water) for various purposes:
Sweetened several times a day against coughs
Against indigestion, unsweetened after steeping for ten minutes
Against inflammation in the mouth and throat: gargle with tea
Oregano: Let it cook for a long time
Oregano is still very popular for cooking and is used as a spice in Mediterranean cuisine. It is important to note that the spice develops its flavor best after long cooking.
