The Mediterranean spice with the countless health benefits!

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The Mediterranean spice with the countless health benefits! #GreekOregano #spicesIn this article I will share with you my knowledge on a powerful Mediterranean spice that possesses strong anti-fungal, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties and can add amazing taste to your dishes. We will be talking about the original Greek Oregano and how you can use it in your life!

CAUTION: Medical Disclaimer

Table of Contents

Herbal Name and Characteristics

  • Name: Oregano
  • Greek: Ρίγανη,
  • Latin: Origanum vulgare hirtum
  • Taste: Pungent, slightly bitter and sweet
  • Color: Green (herb), white (flower), green/brown (dried powder).
  • Constitution: Warm (Yang)
  • Builds: N/A

About this Herb/spice

Coming from a Greek home, Oregano was never a stranger to my taste buds as I had been using it in my cooking since I was 15. The reason why oregano is not as famous as most Chinese herbs, is the fact that most people tend to underestimate its taste and power. This is also because they tend to buy and use a subspecies of the herb I will present here.

The herb that is most commonly available at supermarkets across the world is called Origanum vulgare, while the one I use is Origanum vulgare hirtum (or O. heracleoticum).

If you are experienced with tasting original Italian or Greek cuisine then you know the real taste of oregano spice. Some may claim that Turkish oregano is similar to Greek but that could not be further from the truth as the Turkish variety lacks certain phenolic compounds and therefore do taste different (and weaker) than the Greek variety.

This herb, except for its tasteful properties, has other unique benefits that we will discuss here.

Below you will find more details about this herb, benefits, side effects and precautions you need to take before using it.

What is Greek Oregano

Greek Oregano or Ρίγανη is a genus of the mint family and an herb that grows in the warm climates of the Mediterranean.

It has been used for thousands of years for many purposes. In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates used oregano to cure stomach and respiratory problems and as an antiseptic.

Its name comes from the words oros/όρος (meaning mountain in Greek) and ganos/γάνος (meaning flavor). If you have ever visited the mountains of Greece in the summer, you would remember the sweet smell that comes from the white flowers of the oregano herb.

It is so strong that when eaten in its raw form it can make your tongue go numb or tingle. This is the reason why we use the dried variety rather than its raw form. Its potency is also the reason why oregano oil has garnered so much attention from the medical or alternative medicine community in the last years.

It is used for its antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antiviral and immune stimulating qualities and also for its preservative qualities (since ancient times) as it can preserve food and fight off spoilage and flies.

Its antibacterial and antifungal properties come from its thymol and carvacol content and it has been shown in studies to be able to fight off bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus.

It also contains

  • Rosmarinic acid,
  • Borneol,
  • Caffeic acid,
  • Flavonoids (eriocitrin, Apigenin, luteolin, Quercetin and others),
  • Triterpenoids(ursolic and oleanolic acid),
  • Sterols,
  • Vitamin A,
  • Vitamin C.

The species of this herb depends on the different regions across the world and are listed below:

  1. Origanum vulgare (subspecies: hirtum). This is the original Greek oregano. It has a different aroma from other species (such as O. v. gracile). Has a darker green and hairy foliage.
    Origin: Greece,
  2. Origanum vulgare (subspecies: glandulosum)
    Origin: Tunisia, Algeria,  Balkans, Turkey, Cyprus,
  3. Origanum vulgare (subspecies: gracile or tyttanthum) has glossy green leaves and pink flowers with a flavor that is pungent and spicy.
    Origin: Central Asia, Iran, India, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
  4. Origanum vulgare (subspecies: virens)
    Origin: Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira,
  5. Origanum vulgare (subspecies: viridulum)
    Origin: Throughout the world from Corsica to Nepal,
  6. Origanum vulgare (subspecies: vulgare)
    Origin: Grows across Europe and Asia as well as North America and Venezuela.

Benefits and properties of Greek Oregano

Summarizing the many benefits of Greek Oregano:

  • It can calm down the stomach and reduce gastrointestinal distress when taken as a tea.
  • It has diuretic properties and can be used for its emmenagogue properties as it can stimulate blood flow to the pelvic region. This makes it appropriate for women to stimulate menstruation.
  • Has analgesic properties and can fight off pain (due to its GABA agonist: baclofen). This explains why it is used to help with earaches, headaches, toothaches and rheumatism.
  • It is a strong antioxidant and has cardioprotective properties as shown in vitro by reducing atherosclerosis and lowering LDL oxidation. In a different study, it was shown that it is able to support and strengthen the immune system because of its antioxidant properties.
  • It has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties and can reduce bacterial growth and reduce the spoilage of fatty acids. For that reason, it has been used in preserving foods and meats.
  • It can fight off bacteria such as Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli , Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Eimeria tenella due to its carvacrol content.
  • Due to its anti-parasitic properties, it can help with a large number of infections including infections of the upper respiratory system, viral infections, yeast infections, urinary tract infections and parasitic infections.
  • It can protect against parasites such as blastocytis hominis, entamoeba hartmanni or endomalix nana to name but a few and therefore reduce gastrointestinal distress and fatigue.
  • It has anti-cancer properties and was shown to stop the growth of cancer cells. In some cases it can assist with killing cancer cells in patients with colon cancer.

When and how to take it

Oil form: This is one of the up and coming forms of oregano in the market today. You can use it as is but the preferred way is to dilute in water (at 1:1 or 50% diluted with water). Put in your mouth and hold it under your tongue.

It can also be used on infections when applied directly on the skin (not on open wounds though). However, you must first do a sensitivity test before using it as it can be quite strong.

Capsules or Tablets:  It is also available in pill form (enteric coated or tablets) for gastrointestinal problems and for its other health benefits.

Dried Herb: This is the most versatile and common way of using oregano.

You can either take it as is, use in your foods to preserve or add taste to your food and salads.

Tea: You can make a concoction (tea) by adding 1-2 teaspoons (5-10gr) to water and boil it. Let it cool down and then drink 1 to 3 times per day.

Safety and side effects

While oregano is quite safe when used in normal doses from healthy individuals, it can have some rare side effects such as upset stomach and can cause allergies to people with intolerances to the Lamiaceae family.

You should not take Oregano if you:

  • Are taking diuretics as the herb already has a diuretic effect,
  • Have diabetes as in some people it can lower blood sugar levels,
  • Are scheduled for an operation, organ transplant or you just underwent one. Oregano might increase bleeding in some cases so stop using of oregano 2 weeks before a scheduled procedure.
  • Have allergies to the Lamiaceae family or any of its ingredients.

The best thing you can do before taking any herb supplement is to test it. If you want to be safe while using herbs I strongly urge you to read my other article on how to test an herb for allergies and intolerances.

Contraindications or interactions with other medication/substances

Be careful while using this herb if you have any medical conditions or are taking any kind of medication. When in doubt consult with your doctor.

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnant women or breastfeeding women should avoid using this product during that period.

Cycling

If you are using the dried spice form in your food, no cycling is required (when the dose is low).

If you are using a concentrated form, such as oil or capsules, you should use it for up to 2 months and then take 4 weeks off. Repeat cycle after that if needed.

While there are no side effects or toxicity associated with long term consumption, I would not use any herb or spice for long periods of time without a break in order to keep them being effective and protect the body from accumulation of other toxins unrelated to the herb itself.

Dosage

Over the past 20 years I have experimented with literally hundreds of herbs, supplements (and other natural products) and was finally able to discover the right doses for amazing results.

If you wish to learn more about the dosages that I use with my clients for different purposes (better health, hormonal balance, stress management, testosterone boost and more) or how I combine this herb/supp with others, leave a comment below or reach out to me for a consultation through the “Hire me” link.

Also make sure you subscribe to my newsletter and receive the latest website updates and articles directly to your email!

Closing thoughts

Greek Oregano is a fantastic herb that will add taste in your foods and years to your life. It possesses strong anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties which can protect your health in a variety of ways. Make sure that you get original Greek oregano for the full effect.

I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I did writing it. Putting together this article took a bit of time but it will only take you a second to click on the Share buttons below and show your support to this blog.

Also if you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!

by Nick Sigma
CWC, EH, E-YRT200

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