OREGANO LEAF (Origanum vulgare) aka - Marjoram

Oregano is a wonderful, perennial culinary, as well as medicinal herb. It has long been recognized as one of the "functional foods" for its nutritional, anti-oxidant and disease preventing properties. The leaves and flowering stem of the plant are strongly anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, cholagogue (helps gall bladder secretions), diaphoretic (sweat production), expectorant, stimulant, and tonic properties. The active principles in the herb may improve gut motility in addition to strengthening digestion by facilitating copious gastro-intestinal enzyme secretions. The leaf’s anti-parasitic properties are said to help rid the intestines of parasitic worms. Oregano leaf is also used to treat menstrual problems, and in recent studies was found to be very effective as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-parasitic treatment. The leaf contains carvacrol, thymol, and gallic acid which aids in healing and has astringent properties as well. Oregano Leaf is an effective diuretic and long used as a treatment to rid the body of excessive water and prevent bloating. The herb is a diaphoretic, which means it has the ability to increase perspiration and thus help cleanse the body of toxins through the skin and reduce fevers. This works wonders for relieving the symptoms of both colds and flu. Another one of Oregano Leaf’s benefits is its ability to help treat nervous disorders, relieve irritability, convulsions, and common exhaustion and tension headaches. Oregano Leaf is said to have mild sedative qualities that have been shown to ease seasickness.