Sommario:
- Cos'è l'origano?
- Quali sono i diversi tipi di origano?
- In che modo l'origano giova alla tua salute?
- 1. Allevia il dolore e l'infiammazione
- 2. Tratta le infezioni microbiche
- 3. Elimina i problemi di forfora e cuoio capelluto
- 4. Un potente antiossidante
- 5. May Treat Skin Diseases
- 6. Treats Flu And Viral Diseases
- Did You Know?
- Phytonutritional Profile Of Oregano
- How To Use Oregano in Cooking
- Sizzling Barbeque Chicken – Italian style
- What You Need
- Let’s Make It!
- How To Pick And Store The Best Oregano
- How To Dry Fresh Oregano Leaves
- How Much Oregano Is Safe To Eat? Are There Any Side Effects Of Eating Oregano?
- In Summary
- 21 fonti
Non è solo un ottimo condimento per pizza. L'origano è un'erba medicinale con spezie.
I greci usavano i suoi estratti di foglie per alleviare il dolore, le mestruazioni, l'indigestione e le infezioni microbiche. Ecco perché è comunemente aggiunto ai cibi mediterranei (1).
La ricerca moderna rivela la presenza di polifenoli nelle foglie di origano (1). Nelle giuste dosi, questi polifenoli possono darti capelli senza forfora e una pelle senza cicatrici! Ecco una lettura esclusiva dell'origano e dei suoi benefici, consigli per cucinare e conservare ed effetti collaterali.
Inizia a scorrere!
Cos'è l'origano?
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A rigor di termini, l'origano è più un sapore che un'erba. Circa 60 specie di piante che condividono un sapore e un colore simili sono spesso etichettate come "origano" (1).
Questo sapore deriva principalmente da diverse specie di piante di Origano e Lippia . La specie Origanum è originaria di parti dell'Europa, dell'Asia e dei paesi del Mediterraneo. La specie Lippia si trova in Messico (2).
La medicina tradizionale cinese ed europea utilizzava l'origano per curare tosse, asma, diarrea, mal di stomaco e disturbi infiammatori mestruali. Si dice che i greci usassero creme all'origano su piaghe e muscoli doloranti (1), (3).
Pertanto, l'origano è ampiamente utilizzato nella cucina mediterranea odierna. Gli ingredienti bioattivi di queste piante conferiscono loro proprietà antiossidanti, antinfiammatorie e antimicrobiche. Queste erbe sono usate come aromatizzanti naturali e conservanti in diversi alimenti.
In base alla sua origine e alla composizione biochimica, l'origano è classificato in diverse varietà che vengono vendute con nomi diversi.
Quali sono i diversi tipi di origano?
Le due principali varietà di origano sono europea e greca.
L' origano europeo (noto anche come maggiorana selvatica o maggiorana invernale) deriva dall'Origanum vulgare . L' origano greco (noto anche come maggiorana dolce o maggiorana da vaso) deriva dall'Origanum heracleoticum (2).
Un'altra varietà popolare è l'origano messicano. È derivato da Lippia graveolens e comunemente noto come salvia messicana, maggiorana messicana o salvia selvatica messicana (2).
L'origano europeo viene prodotto principalmente in Grecia, Italia, Spagna, Turchia e Stati Uniti. E l'origano messicano è (ovviamente!) Originario del Messico.
Tutte le varietà di origano sono ricche di oli essenziali. Questi oli contengono ingredienti bioattivi che conferiscono alla spezia il suo sapore e le sue proprietà medicinali.
Quindi, le varianti dell'origano europeo e greco sono note per possedere proprietà digestive, stimolanti e disinfettanti.
Nella sezione in arrivo scoprirai come l'origano apporta benefici alla tua salute, insieme alle prove scientifiche. Continua a scorrere!
In che modo l'origano giova alla tua salute?
Con i suoi abbondanti flavonoidi e acidi fenolici, l'origano è un potente agente antiossidante e antinfiammatorio. Allevia i disturbi mestruali, i dolori muscolari e le malattie respiratorie.
1. Allevia il dolore e l'infiammazione
L'ossido nitrico, le prostaglandine e i radicali liberi sono fattori pro-infiammatori comuni che il tuo corpo produce. È stato dimostrato che gli estratti di origano fresco ed essiccato controllano la produzione di tali composti (4).
L' acido caffeico, l'acido clorogenico, la quercetina, la luteolina ei loro derivati nell'origano svolgono un ruolo attivo nel ridurre il dolore e l'infiammazione. Il carvacrolo, un componente importante nel suo olio essenziale, può guarire ferite, tagli, ulcere gastriche e tumori (4), (5).
Pertanto, l'origano può aiutare ad alleviare disturbi infiammatori come artrite reumatoide, crampi mestruali, dolori muscolari, mal di denti e punture di insetti. Puoi anche preparare formule topiche a base di origano - come crema, lozione o olio diluito - per uso esterno (6).
2. Tratta le infezioni microbiche
L'olio essenziale di origano ha una potente attività antimicrobica. Il carvacrolo e il timolo, i suoi componenti attivi, sono responsabili di questo effetto. Essi alterano la permeabilità delle cellule batteriche e fungine. Ciò porta a una perdita del loro contenuto cellulare, portando alla loro morte (7), (8).
Un altro meccanismo impiegato dall'origano è il rilascio dei radicali liberi. Il tuo corpo rilascia queste molecole reattive per distruggere questi agenti patogeni. Questo meccanismo avviene principalmente nell'intestino. Tuttavia, questi radicali liberi sono tossici per il tuo corpo (8).
Poiché l'origano e il suo olio sono ricchi di antiossidanti, il consumo di uno di essi elimina queste tossine dal tuo sistema (8). Pertanto, questa spezia funge anche da conservante alimentare e da agente antimicrobico (7), (8).
3. Elimina i problemi di forfora e cuoio capelluto
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Le foglie di origano sono serbatoi di olio essenziale. L'uso di estratti di foglie di origano su capelli e cuoio capelluto ha mostrato effetti positivi in alcuni studi. I soggetti hanno mostrato una notevole riduzione della forfora entro 7 giorni dal trattamento (9).
Gli oli di origano hanno attività antifungina. I loro componenti possono uccidere i funghi appartenenti alle specie Penicillium e Fusarium . Puoi fare uno shampoo antiforfora più economico o un olio usando foglie di origano (9).
Il carvacrolo e il timolo in essi contenuti sono responsabili di questa proprietà. Aggiungi olio di cocco, canfora, foglie / fiori di ibisco e foglie di origano a questi preparati per prevenire le infezioni microbiche del cuoio capelluto e mantenere i capelli sani (9).
4. Un potente antiossidante
L'origano ha composti fenolici e vitamine che inibiscono la formazione e l'accumulo di radicali liberi. Gli estratti a base d'acqua di questa spezia possono eliminare fino al 70% di ioni superossido (dannosi) (10), (11).
They also chemically trap (chelate) metal ions, like iron. An excess of these metal ions has deleterious effects on your metabolism.
Chemical analyses revealed the presence of vitamin E (tocopherol derivatives) in oregano leaves. These active molecules inhibit lipid peroxidation. This may stop inflammation in the vital organs, ultimately protecting you from obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Alzheimers’s disease (11), (12).
5. May Treat Skin Diseases
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The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial property of oregano aids in wound healing. Some studies claim that this spice can treat psoriasis, eczema, rashes, and several skin conditions. However, there is insufficient evidence to prove this application (9).
Oregano oil is known for its antiseptic properties. Topical use of creams, ointments, and lotions containing this oil may relieve skin infection and inflammation (13).
It can also repair and remodel damaged tissues. With further research and trials, oregano extracts could be used in skin care products for children and adults (5).
6. Treats Flu And Viral Diseases
The carvacrol in oregano extracts demonstrates antiviral properties. Clinical studies report that this active molecule directly targets the RNA (genetic material) of certain viruses. This impairs their process of infecting a human host cell (14).
One of the most common and frequent viral infections we experience is the common cold. Ingesting oregano during a flu bout can reduce the severity of cough, sore throat, and fever. Having freshly brewed, hot oregano tea works the best in this case (15), (16).
Mexican oregano oil could inhibit other human viruses like HIV and Rotavirus. Further research is needed to establish its antiviral effects on herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis viruses, and human respiratory viruses (17).
Did You Know?
The word ‘oregano’ in Greek means ‘joy of the mountain.’
Greeks believed that cows that grazed in oregano fields produce tastier meat.
The active molecules in oregano leaves – like carvacrol and thymol – are responsible for these benefits. But, it is not just these two compounds. This spice has a rich nutritional profile containing polyphenols and micronutrients.
Scroll down to know more about its full nutritional profile.
Phytonutritional Profile Of Oregano
| OREGANO (Dried leaves) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nutrient | Unit | 1 tsp, leaves = 1.0g |
| Proximates | ||
| Water | g | 0.1 |
| Energy | kcal | 3 |
| Energy | kJ | 11 |
| Protein | g | 0.09 |
| Total lipid (fat) | g | 0.04 |
| Ash | g | 0.08 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | g | 0.69 |
| Fiber, total dietary | g | 0.4 |
| Sugars, total | g | 0.04 |
| Sucrose | g | 0.01 |
| Glucose (dextrose) | g | 0.02 |
| Fructose | g | 0.01 |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium, Ca | mg | 16 |
| Iron, Fe | mg | 0.37 |
| Magnesium, Mg | mg | 3 |
| Phosphorus, P | mg | 1 |
| Potassium, K | mg | 13 |
| Sodium, Na | mg | 0 |
| Zinc, Zn | mg | 0.03 |
| Copper, Cu | mg | 0.006 |
| Manganese, Mn | mg | 0.05 |
| Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | mg | 0 |
| Thiamin | mg | 0.002 |
| Riboflavin | mg | 0.005 |
| Niacin | mg | 0.046 |
| Pantothenic acid | mg | 0.009 |
| Vitamin B-6 | mg | 0.01 |
| Folate, total | µg | 2 |
| Folate, food | µg | 2 |
| Folate, DFE | µg | 2 |
| Choline, total | mg | 0.3 |
| Betaine | mg | 0.1 |
| Vitamin A, RAE | µg | 1 |
| Carotene, beta | µg | 10 |
| Vitamin A, IU | IU | 17 |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | µg | 19 |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | mg | 0.18 |
| Tocopherol, gamma | mg | 0.24 |
| Tocopherol, delta | mg | 0.01 |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | µg | 6.2 |
Different varieties of oregano have different concentrations of phenolic compounds. The commonly found classes are phenolic acids, esters and its glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids (18).
Phenolic acids include rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, and lithospermic acid (18).
Terpenoids/terpenes like sabinene, 1,8-cineole, cymene, cadinene, ocimene, caryophyllene, germacrene D, limonene, bisabolene, linalool, spathulenol, carvacrol, and thymol were also identified in oregano (18) (19).
Flavonoids – including apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, diosmetin, quercetin, eriodictyol, cosmocide, and vicenin-2 – are also abundant in these leaves (18).
Since it has such a potent and loaded biochemical profile, oregano has been classified as a spice. No wonder it is integral to so many global and local cuisines!
Don’t you also want to know how to use it in cooking? Read the next section to find out how!
How To Use Oregano in Cooking
Fresh oregano can be used towards the end – like a cilantro garnish. Dried leaves should be added in the beginning so that the heat releases all its flavors.
You can use fresh/dried oregano in the following ways:
- Sprinkle it as a topping on pizzas, salads, soups, and
- Use it to flavor omelets, frittatas, and sautéed vegetables (stir-fry).
- Marinate meat and chicken with fresh, chopped oregano and other spices.
- Add it as a finishing touch to home-made garlic bread.
- Put a few sprigs of fresh oregano in a container with olive oil. Oregano-olive oil infusion is ready! You can cook, dress salads, and also apply it as a topical antiseptic/moisturizing agent.
- Vinaigrettes with oregano add great depth to Italian dishes.
Here’s a quick and delicious recipe using oregano. Why don’t you give it a shot right away?
Sizzling Barbeque Chicken – Italian style
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What You Need
- Lemon juice: 1 cup
- Vegetable/olive oil: ¼-½ cup
- Vinegar: ¼ cup
- Dried oregano: 1 tablespoon
- Garlic powder: 2 teaspoons
- Whole chicken: 1, cut into pieces
- Salt: to taste
- Pepper: to taste
- Mixing bowl: large sized
- Outdoor grill or similar grilling equipment
Let’s Make It!
- To a large mixing bowl, add lemon juice, vegetable oil, vinegar, oregano, and garlic powder. Mix the contents well. (If you manage to get fresh oregano leaves, finely chop them before adding.)
- Add the chicken pieces to the mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss the pieces in the marinade thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.(Overnight marination will give best results)
- Preheat an outdoor grill on high heat/temperature. Grease the grill grates lightly.
- When the grill is prepared, carefully place the marinated chicken pieces on the grates.
- Brush the chicken periodically with the remaining marinade while cooking.
- Cook the chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear.
- Transfer the cooked pieces to a serving dish.
- Enjoy this Italian style barbeque chicken with rice or by itself with dips of your choice.
Ta-da!
Just reading this made my stomach growl with hunger! This recipe will leave you craving more – thanks to the zest and punch that oregano packs.
As it adds a blast of flavor to your food, it is best to stock some oregano in your pantry.
Before heading out to buy some, read the next section. The tips may come in handy.
How To Pick And Store The Best Oregano
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- Choose fresh oregano over the dried form. It has a deeper flavor.
- The leaves of fresh oregano should look bright and vibrant green. The stems should be firm.
- Discard the ones with dark spots or yellowing.
- When purchasing dried oregano, try to pick the one labeled ‘organically’ These products are free from irradiation, pesticide, etc.
- To store fresh oregano, wrap the bunch in a damp paper towel and place it in the refrigerator.
- You can also freeze the leaves – whole or chopped – in airtight
- Another interesting way to freeze oregano is in ice cube trays. Place fresh oregano leaves in each of the cubes. Fill them with either water or stock and freeze. Use these frozen oregano cubes when preparing soups or stews.
- Store dried oregano in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark, dry place. It keeps for about 6months when stored this way.
How To Dry Fresh Oregano Leaves
- Pull off the tiny leaves from fresh oregano stalks and air-dry them separately.
- Or, dry the entire stem, then crumble off the crisp leaves. You will need to hang bundles of these stems and leave them to dry for about two weeks. Loosely wrap a paper bag around these bundles to collect the leaves as they fall.
- For those looking to quick-dry oregano, use a microwave oven or a food dehydrator. Flip the stems/leaves periodically to expose both their sides to air and heat.
- Dried stalk remnants can go into the brick oven, grill, or smoker. Meat cooked on them will catch the mild herbaceous scent from these stalks.
With its excellent shelf life and storage options, oregano is here to stay!
But, is it healthy to eat oregano frequently? Is there an intake limit and are there any side effects linked to this herb? Scroll down to find out.
How Much Oregano Is Safe To Eat? Are There Any Side Effects Of Eating Oregano?
Oregano and its oil are likely safe when taken orally in food.
When taken by itself in medicinal amounts as a supplement, it is possibly safe. But the evidence is insufficient to prove its effectiveness (20).
However, oregano is a potent emmenagogue. It stimulates menstruation and uterine contractions (abortifacient). Hence, pregnant women and new mothers should avoid consuming it in high amounts (20).
An overdose of this herb may cause stomach ache and digestive issues. Also, applying concentrated or oxidized oregano based oils or creams may induce irritation. Though these side effects have not been proven yet, it is better to be safe than sorry (21).
In Summary
Oregano is a staple herb in the Mediterranean diet. Its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities enhance its value as a food additive and therapeutic agent. Traditional and modern alternative medicine use oregano to treat flu, cough, fever, and menstrual cramps.
Ma prima di utilizzare l'origano oi suoi estratti, consulta il tuo medico per comprenderne la sicurezza e il dosaggio per il tuo corpo. Con il consenso del medico, puoi ingerire e applicare questa erba per ottenere anche pelle e capelli sani.
Alla prossima, divertiti a cucinare con questo OG di spezie!
21 fonti
Stylecraze ha rigide linee guida di approvvigionamento e si basa su studi peer-reviewed, istituti di ricerca accademica e associazioni mediche. Evitiamo di utilizzare riferimenti terziari. Puoi saperne di più su come garantiamo che i nostri contenuti siano accurati e aggiornati leggendo la nostra politica editoriale.- Oregano (Origanum vulgare) extract for food preservation and improvement in gastrointestinal health, Author manuscript, HHS Public Access, US National Library of Medicine
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- OREGANO, NewCROP, Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Purdue University
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- OREGANO, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona
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- Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids from Oregano: Occurrence, Biological Activity and Health Benefits, Plants, US National Library of Medicine
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www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4400296/
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lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1490&context=safepork
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- Nutrient antioxidants in oregano. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, US National Library of Medicine
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- Oregano, A Grower’s Guide, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/mf2621.pdf
- Antiviral efficacy and mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol against murine norovirus. Journal of Applied Microbiology, US National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24779581
- Complementary Treatment of the Common Cold and Flu with Medicinal Plants – Results from Two Samples of Pharmacy Customers in Estonia, PLoS One, US National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590151/
- OREGANO (ORIGANUM VULGARE), Heritage Garden, University of Illinois at Chicago
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- Antiviral activity of the Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) essential oil and its main compound carvacrol against human and animal viruses, Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, US National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768712/
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- Herbs, Pediatric Pulmonary Division, UFHealth, University of Florida
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