Oregano and your health

CEBU, Philippines -  Oregano is one of those important ingredients when it comes to Mediter-ranean cooking, and of course in the Philippines, to remove the strong smell of certain meats like goat meat.

But more than an ingredient in your cooking, oregano also has certain medicinal properties making it a must have herb for every household.

Last December 26, a New York Times article caught my attention. The headline shouted: In Hopes of Healthier Chickens, Farm Turn to Oregano.

The article said that because of the demand for antibiotic-free meat, a farm in Pennsylvania chose to add oregano oil in their chickens' diet in place of antibiotics, pointing out that such concern is rooted from the fact that many of the antibiotics and other chemical-based medicine fed or administered to farm animals would eventually be passed on to those who eat them. Meaning, us.

It cited a study by chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer, where oregano oil-based Ropadiar was compared to four Bayer products on its effect on piglet diarrhea caused by E. coli bacteria. The study revealed that Ropadiar was far more effective than the Bayer products. Bayer officials later said that the study cannot be replicated; implying that the first result may just be coincidental, but who are they kidding?

One could not deny the fact that herbs are gaining ground in the field of healthcare, with people recognizing the harmful effects of chemical-based drugs.

Promoters of oregano use believe that this herb has plenty of medicinal properties.

It is applied to boils and rubbed on skin to relieve many skin disorders including acne, athlete's foot, warts, and psoriasis. It can also be used to relieve aching muscles and provide relief for arthritis-caused joint pains.

In addition, when taken orally, oregano is believed to have antibacterial properties owing to its rich content of oils thymol and carvacrol, this according to George Mateljan Foundation for the World's Healthiest Foods (whfoods.com).

This could also be the reason why it is also used to treat colitis (inflammation of the large intestines) and candida infections (yeast infection commonly in the intestines, the stomach, and vagina).

In addition, oregano oil mixed to boiling water and then inhaled in the form of steam is believed to relieve asthma attacks, sinusitis, and other respiratory disorders.

There are plenty other claims on the health benefits of oregano, and although many of these claims are yet to be proven in a scientific study, there is one thing that we are sure of, oregano is good for us.

So, dabble some oregano oil to your salad, bread, pasta, or soup, it may just be what you need to relieve you of that bloated stomach after feasting on too much good food during the holidays.