Health Benefits Of Oregano Tea

Oregano tea is a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter drink prepared from fresh or dry oregano leaves. Dry oregano leaves have a more concentrated taste and smell compared to fresh ones. In case you drink, you’ll notice the difference. Let’s explore the health benefits of oregano tea.

Traditionally, oregano tea has been used to soothe different ailments, including cough, sore throat, and nausea. It’s also high in other medicinal properties that have been shown to fight disease-causing pathogens and improve health.

Keep reading to learn more about the health benefits of oregano tea. 

If you enjoy drinking teas, try Lemon Verbena Tea, and Loquat Tea.

What is oregano?

Oregano is a flowering herb from the mint family and a culinary staple for most cousins, especially French and Italian cousins.

It has been used for thousands of years as a flavor enhancer, mostly with salads, grilled, fried, or roasted vegetables, fish, or meat.

You can use oregano while fresh, dry, or in oil form. One may also choose to cook it with food or brew it as tea; whichever the case, oregano contains healing properties that promote health and well-being.

There are different types of oregano worldwide, but the most commonly known is the traditional Greek and Italian oregano. The Italian oregano is milder and more pungent, while the Greek oregano is the most savory and earthy.

What are the benefits of drinking oregano tea?

Oregano tea has been used for centuries as traditional medicine around the Mediterranean region. It’s believed to treat different health issues, including:

• Snake and spider bites
• Respiratory conditions
• Painful cramps
• Skin sores
• Digestive problems
• Colds
• Muscle ache
• Ease constipation and diarrhea

That being said, more human studies are needed to elaborate more on the health benefits of oregano tea in humans. However, lab studies have shown some positive effects of oregano tea.

Besides, oregano is well known for its different health benefits, and drinking oregano tea will likely extend those benefits.

Here are some benefits to expect

1.   It’s high in antioxidants

Whether fresh or dry, oregano leaves are high in antioxidants that help scavenge free radicals in the body and prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can cause cell damage, contribute to immature aging, and increase the risk for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

Drinking oregano tea regularly may help lower these free radicals, minimize cell damage, and improve health.

2.   It’s antibacterial

Oregano tea contains carvacrol and thymol, two potent compounds that fight bacterial infections.

However, studies show that oregano oil may be more effective in fighting against infections because of its high concentration of beneficial compounds.

Unless you drink oregano tea daily, using oregano oil may offer more antibacterial benefits than oregano tea.

3.   Oregano tea may offer anti-inflammatory benefits

Inflammation is the driving force towards developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.

Consuming anti-inflammatory foods like drinking oregano tea may help fight against inflammation and lower the risk of developing inflammatory conditions.

The compound carvacrol in oregano has been shown to reduce inflammation by blocking different inflammatory biomarkers in the body. Read More.

4.   Reduce gas and indigestion

Oregano tea contains diuretic properties, which may help improve indigestion and prevent bloating and gas.

5.   Fights viral infections

Carvacrol in oregano has also been shown to fight viral infections and delay viral disease progression.

Again, the concentration of these compounds is high in oregano essential oil, and you’ll benefit more from it than oregano tea. Read More.

A simple hack to enhance these benefits

• Brew your oregano tea
• Flavor it with lime, lemon, or sweetener of your choice
• Add a drop of edible oregano essential oil
• Mix and enjoy

Note: Since oregano oil is more concentrated, avoid using it daily and if you do, keep it to a maximum of 2 weeks

How to make oregano tea

Oregano tea can easily be made at home using fresh or dry oregano leaves. You can also use oregano tea leaves.

If using dry oregano

1. Simply add 2 cups of water to a kettle and bring it to boil
2. Add 3 teaspoons of dry oregano leaves into a tea infuser or teapot with an infuser/filter, add the boiling water and let it steep for about 5-10 minutes.
3. Remove the filter and serve it warm.
4. You can squeeze in some lemon or sweetener to enhance the taste.
5. Enjoy

If using fresh oregano leaves

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil
2. Chop two large leafy oregano sprigs and add to a teapot, then pour in the boiling water.
3. Cover the pot and let it sit for about 5 minutes
4. Flavor as desired, strain, and enjoy

What are the side effects of drinking oregano tea?

Oregano tea is considered safe, and most people may not experience any side effects.

However, high daily consumption of maybe more than 4 cups may lead to abdominal discomfort in some individuals.

Because of its diuretic effects, drinking too much oregano tea may also cause you to use the bathroom more often.

Generally, people that are allergic to herbs like mint, lavender, basil, thyme, sage, hyssop, and marjoram, may want to be more cautious with drinking oregano tea or using oregano in general.

In Conclusion

Oregano is a culinary herb that has also been used in traditional medicine.

It offers different health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.

Although oregano oil provides incredible therapeutic benefits, brewing and drinking oregano tea has also been shown to ease menstrual pain, soothe muscle aches, treat skin sores, prevent common colds and prevent constipation and diarrhea.

Whether you use dry or fresh oregano leaves, oregano tea is pretty easy to prepare, and you can always flavor it to your liking to enhance the taste.

In general, oregano tea is safe to drink. However, you may want to exercise caution if you are allergic to other herbs from the mint family.

 And like any other food, drink in moderation. But in case you have a medical condition, discuss with your doctor if it’s safe for you to drink.

Other Amazing Tea Recipes

1. Golden Milk Turmeric Tea
2. Detox Tea
3. Chaga Tea

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