Benefits of Oregano Tea: 10 Awesome Scientific Facts

Long considered a staple in kitchens for its robust flavor, oregano has a lesser-known secret – the unassuming herb transforms into a powerhouse of health when brewed into tea.

In the following sections, we’ll uncover the fascinating origins of oregano tea, how to make it, the extensive benefits of drinking oregano tea, and even how to best enjoy it. At the end, we’ll touch on the potential side effects and important considerations when consuming oregano tea.

So, prepare your favorite mug and settle in for a read about the benefits of oregano tea, there’s much to learn and sip!

What is Oregano Tea and How is it Made?

Oregano tea is a herbal infusion made from the leaves of the oregano plant, scientifically known as Origanum vulgare. Widely used in Mediterranean cuisine, oregano is a perennial herb that is also packed with a range of beneficial compounds including antioxidants, phenolic acids, and flavonoids.

Types of oregano tea vary according to the species of oregano used, such as Greek Oregano, Mexican Oregano, and Syrian Oregano. Each offers a slightly different flavor profile and health benefits.

We invite you to read more in our comprehensive guide on oregano tea to learn about the various varieties, their origins, and their unique properties.

How to Make Oregano Tea

Here’s an easy step-by-step guide to brewing oregano tea using either dried oregano leaves or a tea bag:

1. Boil a pot or kettle of water.
2. For dried oregano leaves, place 1-2 tablespoons in a tea infuser or teapot. (or place 1 oregano tea bag in a cup)
3. Pour boiling water over the leaves in the infuser or teapot, or over the tea bag in the cup.
4. Allow the tea to steep. For dried leaves, let it steep for 10-15 minutes; for a tea bag, steep for 5 minutes.
5. Remove the infuser or strain the tea into a cup. If using a tea bag, simply remove it.
6. Your oregano tea is ready to enjoy!

Oregano tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it an excellent choice for any time of day or night.

Now, let’s explore the benefits of oregano tea.

List of Benefits of Oregano Tea

There are many health benefits of oregano tea, ranging from fighting bacteria to reducing environmental emissions.

1. Antibacterial Properties

Bacterial infections are a common health issue, and they require an effective defense system. Oregano essential oil, a key ingredient in oregano tea, has demonstrated antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a particularly resilient bacterium (Nostro et al., 2004). This suggests that one of the benefits of oregano tea may be its potential to help battle bacterial infections.

2. Antiparasitic Effects

Parasitic infections, though not pleasant to discuss, are a significant health concern worldwide. The benefits of oregano tea may extend to this area as well. Oregano oil, which infuses into the tea, has exhibited inhibitory effects on certain enteric parasites, such as Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni, and Endolimax nana (Force et al., 2000). This suggests that one of the health benefits of oregano tea could be its potential role in the management of parasitic infections.

3. Reduction of Gastrointestinal Symptoms

The gut is a complex system that can sometimes experience discomfort. Notably, oregano oil has been observed to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Blastocystis hominis infection (Force et al., 2000). This could imply that one of the benefits of drinking oregano tea includes alleviating certain gastrointestinal discomforts.

4. Reduction of Methane Emissions

It might come as a surprise that the benefits of oregano tea extend to environmental health. Specifically, when oregano and green tea extracts were used as feed additives for dairy cows, a decrease in methane emissions was observed without affecting milk production (Kolling et al., 2018). This could indicate that oregano tea might have environmental benefits when used in the context of livestock farming.

5. Antioxidant Effects

Antioxidants are crucial for maintaining good health, and it seems that oregano tea could play a part in supplying these. Oregano and green tea extracts were found to decrease oxidant levels and boost antioxidant capacity in dairy cows (Kolling et al., 2022). This suggests that the benefits of oregano tea may include providing antioxidant properties that can help protect against oxidative stress.

6. Antimicrobial Effects

In a world where bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, natural antimicrobial sources are increasingly valuable. Oregano essential oil has shown antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains (Reyna-Granados et al., 2021), indicating that one of the benefits of oregano tea may include potential antimicrobial properties that could aid in preventing bacterial infections.

7. Immune System Modulation

A robust immune system is a cornerstone of good health. Oregano and green tea extracts were found to enhance the immune and antioxidant systems in dairy cows (Kolling et al., 2022), suggesting that one of the health benefits of oregano tea could involve immune-modulating effects that can support overall health.

8. Anticancer Potential

Although research is still ongoing, oregano essential oil has been reported to have anticarcinogenic properties (Skoufogianni et al., 2019). While the specific impact of oregano tea on cancer prevention or treatment hasn’t been extensively studied, the presence of bioactive compounds in oregano tea implies it could hold potential in this critical area of health.

9. Anti-inflammatory Effects

Inflammation is a common response to illness and injury, but chronic inflammation can be detrimental to health. Oregano essential oil has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory properties (Skoufogianni et al., 2019). While the effects of oregano tea specifically on inflammation haven’t been extensively researched, it is plausible that the bioactive compounds in oregano tea could offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

10. Antioxidant Packaging

Finally, oregano essential oil has found use in active packaging systems to extend the shelf life of food products (Pateiro et al., 2019), suggesting that oregano tea could have potential as a natural antioxidant for food preservation.

The extensive benefits of oregano tea offer compelling reasons to include this herbal infusion in your daily routine. And remember, for tea enthusiasts interested in exploring other types of teas, be sure to check out our comprehensive article on the ”health benefits of drinking tea”.

What’s the Best Way to Take Oregano Tea?

Oregano tea can be enjoyed in various forms – from the traditional hot brew to a refreshing iced tea or even incorporated into smoothies. It pairs well with meals or can be enjoyed alone as a soothing beverage. The tea’s robust flavor complements many dishes, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen.

Oregano Tea Side Effects

While the benefits of oregano leaves tea are numerous, it’s important to keep in mind that some people may experience allergies or stomach upset. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before consuming oregano tea. As with all things, quality is paramount, and sourcing your oregano from reputable suppliers will help ensure that you’re getting the highest health benefits of oregano tea.

Conclusion on the benefits of oregano tea

From its antibacterial properties to its potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects, the benefits of drinking oregano tea are truly impressive. With such a rich profile of health benefits, oregano tea deserves a place in your tea collection.

We invite you to try oregano tea and share your experience with us!

And for those eager to learn more, be sure to check out our review post about the best oregano tea options available on the market!

References

• Force, M., Sparks, W., Ronzio, R. (2000). Inhibition Of Enteric Parasites By Emulsified Oil Of Oregano In Vivo. Phytotherapy Research, 3(14), 213-214. Link Here
• Kolling, G., Stivanin, S., Gabbi, A., Machado, F., Ferreira, A., Campos, M., … & Fischer, V. (2018). Performance and Methane Emissions In Dairy Cows Fed Oregano And Green Tea Extracts As Feed Additives. Journal of Dairy Science, 5(101), 4221-4234. Link Here
• Kolling, G., Stivanin, S., Gabbi, A., Machado, F., Ferreira, A., Campos, M., … & Fischer, V. (2022). Milk Production and Hematological And Antioxidant Profiles Of Dairy Cows Supplemented With Oregano And Green Tea Extracts As Feed Additives. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia, (51). Link Here
• Nostro, A., Blanco, A., Cannatelli, M., Flamini, G., Morelli, I., Roccaro, A., … & Alonzo, V. (2004). Susceptibility Of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci To Oregano Essential Oil, Carvacrol and Thymol. Fems Microbiology Letters, 2(230), 191-195. Link Here
• Pateiro, M., Domínguez, R., Bermúdez, R., Munekata, P., Zhang, W., Gagaoua, M., … & Lorenzo, J. (2019). Antioxidant Active Packaging Systems To Extend the Shelf Life Of Sliced Cooked Ham. Current Research in Food Science, (1), 24-30. Link Here
• Reyna-Granados, J., Joens, L., Law, B., Friedman, M., Ravishankar, S. (2021). Antimicrobial Effects Of Plant Compounds Against Virulent &Amp;lt;i>escherichia Coli</i> O157:h7 Strains Containing Shiga Toxin Genes In Laboratory Media and On Romaine Lettuce And Spinach. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 04(12), 392-405. Link Here
• Skoufogianni, E., Solomou, A., Danalatos, N. (2019). Ecology, Cultivation and Utilization Of The Aromatic Greek Oregano (Origanum Vulgare L.): A Review. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 3(47). Link Here