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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Food Fact Wednesday - OREGANO

photo credit - Santinha-Casis Possevis
I have decided that on Wednesday's, I am going to pass along information on various foods and herbs that go beyond the recipes we use them in. I will get to the easy ones like garlic and vinegar later. With spring around the corner, many people are starting up their herb gardens, so today, for my first go round, I am going to share some interesting uses for oregano!
Next time you are making something that calls for oregano, here are some tidbits that will be floating around in your brain with each bite:
  1. Oregano has powerful antioxidant and an antimicrobial properties.
  2. Used topically, oregano is one of the best antiseptics because of it's high thymol content.
  3. Apply oregano (dried or oil) to soothe a toothache. I have experienced this one first hand, it works AMAZING for toothaches. Put a pinch of the dried stuff on and around the pesky tooth.
  4. Add to warm water to make a teasan (tea), and it helps soothe coughs and asthma.
  5. Add to a cheese cloth or coffee filter and put in a warm bath to soothe tired achy joints and muscles.
  6. Plant oregano along side beans to enhance their growth. Oregano's potent smell deters insects which commonly infest bean plants. However, it should not be planted alongside broccoli or cabbage.
  7. Oregano reduces swelling and inflammation.
  8. Consuming fresh oregano can also help fight infections such as the flu and colds.
  9. It can soothe bee stings and spider bites (bleck!).
  10. Preliminary tests conducted at Georgetown University suggest that oregano's antibacterial properties rival that of strptomycin and penicillin.

Do you have some non-recipe uses for oregano? If so, please share below in the comments section!

Quick disclaimer, I am not giving medical advice. Please do not use this as a replacement for seeking medical advice. I simply want to pass along some extra health benefits you may not know about in the food that you eat!

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