7 Health Benefits of Oregano and How to Cook with It

TL;DR:

• Oregano offers powerful health benefits, including antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory support.
• It may aid digestion, immunity, wound healing, and even parasite or cancer defense.
• Crushing or chopping oregano releases its essential oils, making it more effective in cooking.
• Enjoy it as tea, fresh leaves, or oil to support gut and respiratory health.
• Oregano is a simple, God-given way to nourish the body and glorify Him through wellness.

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Italian night just got more meaningful.

If you enjoy pasta, pizza, or classic red sauces, chances are you’re already familiar with oregano. But this fragrant herb offers more than just flavor. The benefits of oregano stretch far beyond the kitchen, supporting your health with every sprinkle.

In this post, we’ll look at the top oregano health benefits, how to cook with oregano to release its healing potential, and easy recipes using oregano to nourish your family the biblical way.

A Surprising Truth About Oregano

Most people assume oregano is an Italian-grown herb. While it’s a staple in Italian cooking, most of the world’s oregano actually comes from Turkey!

But luckily, you don’t need to go to Europe or even the store to enjoy the benefits of oregano. It grows easily in your backyard, garden bed, or even a sunny kitchen window.

It’s one of my favorite herbs to grow. Easy to plant, hard to mess up, and it comes back year after year. I often take just a few steps outside, snip a sprig or two, and add fresh oregano to my tea or dinner. Talk about convenience straight from the Lord’s creation.

If you’re starting your first herb garden, oregano is a great beginner plant. And if you’re already growing herbs, this one fits right in.

7 Health Benefits of Oregano

We know gut-healing foods include fruits and vegetables. But God created healing foods in all shapes and sizes, and many herbs also fit in this category.

When we add oregano leaves or oregano oil to our meals, we’re adding tiny little powerhouses that help to remove toxins inside our body.

Oregano is a super herb!

Here are the 7 Health Benefits of Oregano:

1. Antibacterial Properties

Oregano is best known for its antibacterial benefits. It may help prevent the growth of bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and even staph.

It may help prevent the growth of bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, and even staph. Some studies have found it’s more effective against giardia than certain medications!

Oregano oil, especially when combined with cranberry extract, may also fight off H. pylori, a bacteria linked to stomach ulcers. It’s amazing how something so small can do so much.

2. Anti-Inflammatory

Most of the plants God designed for us naturally reduce inflammation, and oregano is no exception.

This herb may help with digestive issues and ease symptoms of colitis caused by inflammation in the gut.

What a blessing that so many of God’s foods not only nourish but heal.

3. Wound-Healing

Not only is it good for our bodies, but oregano essential oil may even have wound-healing properties that may be found in many skin care products.

4. Antioxidant

Oregano has more antioxidants than apples, oranges, and even blueberries. These antioxidants help protect your body’s cells and keep your immune system strong.

Oregano also supports respiratory health. It works as a natural decongestant and antihistamine, which may help ease breathing troubles when seasonal allergies or colds hit.

5. Anti-Cancer

Researchers have found that this remarkable herb may help prevent and treat breast cancer by slowing its progress.

While herbs like oregano aren’t meant to replace medical treatment, they are a powerful part of God’s provision. Eating well, staying nourished, and choosing foods like this can help us honor the health He’s given us.

It seems unbelievable, but the Lord created food to benefit us and our health way beyond flavor.

Now, I’m not comparing the benefits of herbs to medical treatment like chemotherapy. The Lord works in many ways, and sometimes He works through doctors and medicine!

But, by eating herbs like oregano and staying healthy, you can use the natural food the Lord gave us to do everything possible to build immunity.

6. Antiviral Support

Yes, you read that right. Oregano leaves and oil have been shown to be antiviral.

Studies in the lab found evidence of its effectiveness against human norovirus.

The property of oregano that makes this possible is something called carvacrol, which the studies observed when used to treat a virus.

Researchers found that oregano essential oil is effective when used against human norovirus after only one hour of exposure.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it could help out with more.

7. Anti-Parasite

Even if you don’t think you have parasites, oregano can still help protect you. Symptoms like gas, constipation, or even blood in the stool may point to unwanted guests in the digestive tract.

The strong compounds in oregano naturally fight off parasites, and you may never even know they were there. You’ll just feel the amazing effects.

Cooking With Oregano

Oregano is a commonly used herb for bone broth, soups, stews, and sauces. If you don’t know what your soup is missing, it’s probably oregano.

It’s also popular in red sauces common in those great Italian dishes we all love and even adds flavor to a good white sauce.

The most important point about cooking with oregano is that the oils need to be released. Without the oregano oil, there is color in the food, but no benefits to your health.

Chop or crush the oregano to release the essential oil (tip: if you can smell the oregano, it means the oils are released).

Don’t know when to use oregano? When a recipe calls for garlic, parsley, basil, thyme, garlic, or onion, you can also throw in some oregano!

Here in Virginia, I’m able to grow and harvest fresh oregano most of the year. If you live in a colder area, try drying your oregano and storing it for later use.

And if you don’t have fresh oregano on hand, organic dried oregano from the store is still a great option. Just be sure to check the expiration date. Spices older than 6 months may have lost their flavor and benefits. Just make sure it’s still loose and not clumping because clumps may mean mold.

Ways to Enjoy Oregano (Without Cooking a Full Meal)

There are plenty of recipes using oregano, but sometimes I just chew a leaf straight from the plant. It’s like herbal gum! This releases the oil and reminds me of God’s goodness in the simple things.

You can also make oregano tea when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s great for sore throats, nausea, bloating, and more.

Oregano Tea Recipe:

• 1 cup of filtered water, bring to a boil
• Add 2 T of fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Steep and sip slowly. Let the warmth remind you of God’s love and care.

More Recipes with Oregano

Want to get creative with oregano in the kitchen? Try other oregano uses in cooking:

• Pesto –In your favorite pesto recipe, use 1 cup basil, 1 cup parsley, and 1 cup oregano – that will bring a new freshness to your pesto and be the talk of the party. Fresh is beyond best. It’s a culinary extraordinaire.
• Salad Dressings – Crush some oregano and add to your favorite homemade recipe, great for an Italian dressing or any vinaigrette.
• Tuna Salad – Needed more flavor for your favorite lunch? Add some minced oregano to your tuna salad and enjoy some freshness to a classic.
• Salmon Patties – When cooking your salmon, the last thing you want is for it to be flavorless. Add some oregano to bring out the flavors that will wow your family (and yourself!).

Beyond the Kitchen

You can also use oregano essential oil or emulsified oil to support your health.

For emulsified oregano oil, only 600 mg twice daily for adults and 100 mg per day for children.

For regular oregano oil, use 3 drops twice a day in water or coconut oil. Remember not to do this for longer than 10 days, though.

It’s always best to listen to your body, and of course, use wisdom.

The Takeaway

Remember this: add more spice to your life!

If you start growing your own herbs, you can enjoy their freshness for much longer. You’ll have something special to add to your meals.

Praise the Lord for the good things He has given us. It’s not the herbs that do the healing, but the Lord! He works through the goodness He’s given us.

Meditate on Exodus 15:26 to remember that the Lord is the One who heals, and we can enjoy the delicious food He’s given us!

And if you’re looking for more food-based wellness rooted in Scripture, check out The Bible Diet Collection. It’s filled with truth, practical tips, and encouragement from your biblical wellness coach.

Let’s keep nourishing our bodies the way God intended, one herb at a time.