Oregano - Description Of A Medicinal Plant, Beneficial Properties, Use Of Oregano Oil And Contraindications Of Oregano

Oregano

Useful properties, application and contraindications to the use of oregano

Oregano - medicinal plant

Oregano is a beautiful perennial plant with tetrahedral stems, the tops of which are reddish in color. The plant, which belongs to the labiate family, grows no more than 80 cm. Its oblong leaves are opposite each other. The flowers of the plant are bright purple with a pinkish tinge, gathering in inflorescences. Oregano is a fragrant plant. Its flowering lasts from July to August.

Oregano is a herb that grows at the edge of a forest, near roads, among bushes - in other words, it is found throughout Russia.

Useful properties of oregano

Oregano contains an essential oil, which contains substances such as carvacrol, thymol and others that have a positive effect on the human body. Due to the content of flavonoids, bitterness, phytoncides and tannins in oregano, preparations from it have an anti-inflammatory, diuretic and choleretic effect. Oregano has long and very successfully been used in folk medicine. She found her application in the form of an infusion used for whooping cough, bronchitis. Also, infusion of oregano has an expectorant property.

Oregano-based preparations are used as a sedative against nervous stress and excitement. Oregano enhances intestinal peristalsis and increases the tone of the intestines. taking oregano increases appetite. The plant also has analgesic properties.

Growing oregano

You can grow oregano by seeds, dividing the bush and seedlings. When seed growing of oregano, it is necessary to clean and dig up the soil in the fall, and in the spring to add humus, superphosphate and mineral fertilizer to the prepared soil. The soil must be well dug and leveled, removing all large lumps of earth. Garden beds are made, seeds are placed in them, burying no more than 1 cm deep into the soil. Next, you need to mulch the soil. After 15–20 days, the first shoots will appear, while you need to monitor the weeds in the area with oregano. Oregano needs thinning, which is done leaving the plants at a distance of 15–20 cm.

Oregano needs to be constantly watered, fed with fertilizers. The plant needs to be looked after for up to two months, because after this time the plants will become strong and do not need care.

Oregano seeds are very small and germinate quickly, so you can grow the plant using seedlings. To do this, you need boxes or cups, into which you need to fill in loose and clean soil. Seeds are sown in ready-made containers. When the frost is over, after about two months, you can plant the seedlings in a sunny place. In the first year, oregano grows slowly and does not even bloom. But already in the second year it begins to grow and bloom beautifully.

After 3-5 years from the date of planting oregano, it will begin to give dense greens. Therefore, at this time it is necessary to divide the bushes and transplant the plant to another place. Spring is most suitable for division. The excavated rhizomes must be planted in holes 5 cm deep and already watered in advance. You need to pour earth on top.

Oregano essential oil

The essential oil of this plant has a calming effect that eliminates fear and neurosis. Only this remedy can overcome insomnia. It has antiviral and antibacterial action against flu, colds and herpes. With this oil, you can say goodbye to toothache. Oregano oil is used for inflammation of the respiratory tract, because it eliminates inflammation processes and normalizes breathing, providing an expectorant effect. The essential oil is used both internally and externally, and for taking baths.

But no matter how many advantages oregano oil has, it also has disadvantages. For example, it is contraindicated for pregnant women. The main thing in the use of this oil is compliance with the dosage, because otherwise the skin and mucous membranes will irritate.

Oregano application

Oregano has long been used in both official and folk medicine. The plant is a good diuretic, therefore it is used for indigestion and poor intestinal peristalsis. The herb is used in the form of infusions, decoctions, compresses and ointments. It has a soothing effect on epilepsy, seizures and missed periods.

Oregano for laryngitis and sore throat. To prepare this preparation, you need to take 10 grams of oregano herb, 20 grams of chamomile flowers and 10 grams of sage herb. We mix all this and pour a glass of boiling water into 1 tablespoon of such a mixture. Close the lid and wait for half an hour. Having strained the finished broth, it can be used for mouthwash. Rinsing should be done with a warm broth at least four and no more than five times a day.

Choleretic oregano. We take 1 tablespoon of the herb of the plant and fill it with half a liter of boiling water, cover with a lid and leave to brew for half an hour. Don't forget to strain! Such a remedy is taken 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons 15 minutes before meals.

Oregano decoction. We take 1 tablespoon of oregano and pour in 100 ml of water, put in a water bath and close with a lid. After 20 minutes, remove from heat and filter. You need to drink such a decoction warm, 100 ml a couple of times a day before meals.

Oregano powder for runny nose and headache. Take dried herb and oregano flowers, grind them to a powder and inhale their scent.

Contraindications to the use of oregano

Considering the fact, established by scientists, that oregano shrinks the muscles of the uterus, it should not be used by pregnant women. If this herb is taken, a pregnant woman may have a miscarriage. People with severe heart and vascular diseases should also refrain from using this herb.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).