Whether fresh or dried, oregano has a great nutritional profile that includes and excellent source of fiber, essential minerals, and antioxidant to protect the cell. Oregano also contains high amounts of iron, lots of folate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese and copper.
Oregano has one of the highest antioxidant activity ratings in food, which is excellent for neutralizing free radicals. The alkaline spice is packed with more than 42 times the antioxidant punch of apples. That ultimately means, oregano is a cancer fighting machine. Antioxidants’ primary job in the body is to get rid of free radicals or toxins that causes cancer.
Consuming oregano also helps sweat production as a way to detox the body of unwanted phlegm in the lungs. Scientists have found the herb useful in reducing fevers, relieving diarrhea, treating colds and flu, helping indigestion, and regulating the menstrual cycle.
Essential oils from oregano carvacrol and thymol, which have antibacterial and fungus-fighting activities, which are known to destroy all types of illnesses throughout the body.
In a Oregano study, researchers investigated whether if the herb is associated with lowering the risk of colon cancer, or if it could have an effect on cancer prevention. Oregano extract was found to both, stopped the growth and killed colon cancer cells. The scientist claimed it’s possibly because of the changes in glutathione content that reduced oxidation.
In another study, oregano was shown to lower the risk of several cancers. In evaluating the herbs, researchers found that the phytonutrients were responsible. The naturally occurring polyphenol carnosol has anti-cancer properties in prostate, breast, skin, leukemia, and colon cancer. Carnosol also fight against selective toxicity towards cancer cells.
