OREGANO

SCIENTIFIC NAME : Origanum vulgare

COMMON NAMES:

Oregano is used for respiratory tract disorders such as coughs, asthma, croup, and bronchitis. It
is also used for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders as heartburn or bloating. Other uses include treating
menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract disorders including urinary tract infections (UTIs),
headaches, and heart conditions.

Oregano contains chemicals that might help reduce cough and spasm. Oregano also might help
digestion by increasing bile flow and fighting against some bacteria, viruses, fungi, intestinal worms, and
other parasites.

POSSIBLY EFFECT FOR:

 High cholesterol. Clinical research shows that taking oregano after each meal for 3 months can
reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol and increase high-density lipoprotein
(HDL or “good”) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol.
 Parasites in the intestines. Taking oil of oregano for 6 weeks can kill the parasites (e.g.,
Blastocystis hoinis, Entamoeba hartmanni, Endolimax nana)

SIDE EFFECTS AND SAFETY

Oregano leaf is LIKELY SAFE when taken in the amounts found in food and POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by
mouth or applied to the skin in medicinal amounts. Mild side effects include stomach upset. Oregano
might also cause an allergic reaction in people who have an allergy to plants in the Lamiaceae family.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Oregano is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal
amounts during pregnancy. There is concern that oregano in amounts larger that food amounts might
cause miscarriage. Not enough is known about the safety of oregano when used in medicinal amounts
while nursing.
Bleeding disorders: Oregano might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Allergies: Oregano can cause reactions in people allergic to Lamiaceae family plants, including basil,
hyssop, lavender, marjoram, mint, and sage.
Diabetes: Oregano might lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should use oregano
cautiously.
 TUMERIC
OTHER NAMES: Curcumae Longae Rhizoma

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in Asian food. You probably
known turmeric as the main spice in curry. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or
color curry powders, mustard, butters, and cheese. But the root of turmeric is also used widely to make
medicine. It contains a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which is often used to color foods and
cosmetics.

Turmeric is used for arthritis, heartburn (dyspepsia), joint pain, crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,
bypass surgery, hemorrhage, diarrhea, intestinal gas, stomach bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, liver
problems, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
gallbladder disorders, high cholesterol, a skin condition called lichen planus, skin inflammation from
radiation treatment, and fatigue.

It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds , lung infections, fibromyalgia, leprosy, fever, menstrual
problems, itchy skin, and recovery after surgery, and cancer. Other uses include depression, Alzheimer’s
disease, swelling in the middle layer of the eye (anterior uveitis), diabetes, water retention, worms, an
autoimmune disease called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis, urinary bladder
inflammation, and kidney problems.

Some people apply turmeric to the skin for pain, ringworm, sprains and swellings, bruising, leech bites,
eye infection, acne, inflammatory skin conditions and skin sores, soreness inside of the mouth, infected
wounds, and gum disease.

Turmeric is also used as an enema for people with inflammatory bowel disease.

In food and manufacturing, the essential oil of turmeric is used in perfumes, and its resin is used as a
flavor and color component in food.