Oregano tea is one of the most popular herbal teas; it’s delicious to drink as a beverage or medicine. It is suitable for both immunity and the prevention of various diseases, as well as as an aid to treatment. These oregano tea benefits are crucial.
Origanum belongs to the family of mint (Lamiaceae). About 20 species are known. It is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its leaves are ovate or broadly lanceolate, and its flowers are bisexual and unisexual, clustered in panicles. The corolla is tubular, pink, red, purple, or white. The redbud grows up to 80 cm tall.
This perennial is native to North America and the Mediterranean coast. It is most widespread in Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Commonly grows one species of oregano (Origanum vulgare). The plant grows in meadows, hillsides, and rare forests. You can buy oregano seeds in seed shops and successfully grow your own.
Collecting and Drying Oregano
People usually harvest oregano during the flowering season in June–August. The young shoots, leaves, and flowers are valuable. Dry weed has a spicy aroma and a bitter, sour, slightly astringent taste.
It should be harvested away from industrial areas and motorways, as it absorbs many harmful substances in polluted areas. They should be picked when dry and clear, preferably in the first half of the day. Young shoots and the upper flowering parts of the plant should be harvested at a maximum length of 20–30 cm. The recommendations for drying oregano include drying it in thin bundles or scattering it on paper or cloth. Do these steps indoors or outdoors, with adequate ventilation and protection from direct sunlight.
Dried oregano should be stored in cloth bags or tightly sealed glass jars. They have a shelf life of 2 years.
Health Benefits of Oregano Tea
both traditional and folk medicine recognize the benefits of oregano tea. The richness of the healing properties of this drink is due to the composition of the plant. Oregano contains essential oils, phenols, tannins, carvacrol, ascorbic acid, and thymol. It also contains trace and macro elements: iron, iodine, sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Carvacrol and thymol are two compounds, which are associated with antiviral properties. Oregano also contains compounds with strong antibacterial properties.
Oregano is rich in antioxidants—compounds that help fight inflammation and the damage caused to the body by harmful free radicals. We all know that the accumulation of free radicals can lead to many chronic diseases, from cancer to heart disease.
Oregano Tea Benefits
Oregano tea has the following beneficial properties and can help:
- Reduce nervous tension and stress.
- relieve depression and insomnia;
- normalizing the digestive tract;
- can eliminate swelling due to its diuretic effect;
- relieving various types of headaches, nausea, and vomiting;
- improving metabolism;
- improve appetite;
- strengthen the immune system.
Oregano is excellently suitable for women. It can reduce inflammation of the female genital organs and normalize the menstrual cycle. Doctors sometimes prescribe oregano tea during menopause to relieve or eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
How to Make Oregano Tea?
You’ll get fragrant and healthy teas if you prepare them properly. Make sure to keep the oregano covered after brewing to help the healing properties and aroma of the oregano come out. You can flavor oregano teas and enhance their beneficial properties with the following ingredients: honey or propolis, milk or cream, a slice of lemon, and mint leaves.
Herbal oregano tea with honey and lemon is beneficial during the cold season. It acts as a therapeutic and prophylactic remedy against colds. The honey and lemon should not be added to the tea when hot. Cool down a drink to preserve all its beneficial properties.
Variations of Oregano And Other Herbs Tea
Recipes for oregano teas are simple. Make these teas directly in the cup from which you will drink them.
- Oregano flower tea. Add 2 teaspoons of oregano flowers to a cup. And cover them with boiling water. Cover the cup with a lid or saucer, and leave it for 10 minutes.
- Oregano and thyme tea. Brew 1 teaspoon each of oregano and thyme in a cup. After covering a cup, leave the drink to infuse for 10 minutes. This tea will leave you feeling invigorated. A single dose is half a cup (about 100 ml). Drink it once a day for 4-5 days.
- Oregano and St. John’s Wort tea. Brew 1 teaspoon each of oregano and St. John’s wort in a cup. Cover the cup and steep for 7–10 minutes to infuse. This tea is especially suitable for people who are stressed, anxious, sleep-deprived, and depressed.
Any herbal tea should be drunk immediately after preparation. It should be warm still.
Side Effects of Oregano Tea
In addition to its wide range of therapeutic benefits, oregano tea can cause serious health problems if taken too often or heavily infused.
- People with gastric or duodenal ulcers, diseases of the internal organs (kidneys, liver), cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension should avoid oregano tea.
- Infants or children under 12 also shouldn’t consume oregano tea.
- Men should not take it frequently, as regular use may reduce potency.
- Oregano tea stimulates uterine contractions and may cause miscarriage or premature birth. It means, that women should avoid it during pregnancy.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/oregano
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-oregano-benefits
Associative photos from © Canva.
