Kekik nasıl kullanılır? sağlık yararları nelerdir?

Bu sadece harika bir pizza çeşnisi değil. Kekik şifalı bir şifalı ot ve baharattır.

Yunanlılar yaprak özlerini ağrı, adet kanaması, hazımsızlık ve mikrobiyal enfeksiyonları hafifletmek için kullandılar. Bu nedenle yaygın olarak Akdeniz yemeklerine eklenir (1).

Modern araştırmalar, kekik yapraklarında polifenollerin varlığını ortaya koymaktadır (1). Doğru dozlarda, bu polifenoller size kepeksiz saç ve yara izi bırakmayan bir cilt sağlayabilir! İşte kekik ve faydaları, pişirme ve saklama ipuçları ve yan etkileri hakkında özel bir okuma.

Kaydırmaya başlayın!

Kekik Nedir?

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Kesin konuşmak gerekirse, kekik bir bitkiden çok bir lezzettir. Benzer bir tadı ve rengi paylaşan yaklaşık 60 bitki türü genellikle 'kekik' olarak etiketlenir (1).

Bu lezzet esas olarak çeşitli Origanum ve Lippia bitki türlerinden elde edilir. Origanum türlerinin bölümlerine yerli Avrupa'ya, Asya'ya ve Akdeniz ülkeleri. Lippia türleri bulunabilir Meksika (2).

Geleneksel Çin ve Avrupa tıbbı, öksürük, astım, ishal, mide ağrısı ve menstrüel inflamatuar bozuklukları iyileştirmek için kekik kullandı. Yunanlıların yaralarda ve ağrıyan kaslarda kekikli kremler kullandıkları söyleniyor (1), (3).

Bu nedenle kekik, günümüz Akdeniz mutfağında yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu bitkilerdeki biyoaktif bileşenler, onlara antioksidan, antienflamatuar ve antimikrobiyal özellikler verir. Bu otlar, çeşitli gıdalarda doğal bir tatlandırıcı ve koruyucu olarak kullanılır.

Kekik, kökenine ve biyokimyasal bileşimine bağlı olarak, farklı isimler altında satılan birkaç çeşit olarak sınıflandırılır.

Kekik Türleri Nelerdir?

İki ana kekik çeşidi Avrupa ve Yunan'dır.

Avrupa kekik (aynı zamanda yabani mercanköşk veya kış mercanköşk olarak da bilinir) Origanum vulgare'den elde edilir. Yunan kekik (aynı zamanda tatlı mercanköşk veya saksı mercanköşk olarak da bilinir) Origanum heracleoticum'dan (2) elde edilir.

Diğer bir popüler çeşit ise Meksika kekikidir. Lippia graveolens'ten türetilmiştir ve genellikle Meksikalı adaçayı, Meksikalı mercanköşk veya Meksika yabani adaçayı olarak bilinir (2).

Avrupa kekiği öncelikle Yunanistan, İtalya, İspanya, Türkiye ve Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'nde üretilmektedir. Ve Meksika kekiği (tabii ki!) Meksika'ya özgüdür.

Tüm kekik çeşitleri uçucu yağlar açısından zengindir. Bu yağlar, baharata lezzetini ve tıbbi özelliklerini veren biyoaktif bileşenler içerir.

Bu nedenle, Avrupa ve Yunan kekik varyantlarının sindirim, uyarıcı ve dezenfektan özelliklere sahip olduğu bilinmektedir.

Önümüzdeki bölümde, kekiklerin sağlığınıza nasıl fayda sağladığını bilimsel kanıtlarla birlikte öğreneceksiniz. Kaydırmaya devam!

Kekik Sağlığınıza Nasıl Fayda Sağlar?

Bol flavonoidler ve fenolik asitler ile kekik, güçlü bir antioksidan ve antiinflamatuar ajandır. Adet rahatsızlıklarını, kas ağrılarını ve solunum yolu hastalıklarını hafifletir.

1. Ağrı ve İltihabı Giderir

Nitrik oksit, prostaglandinler ve serbest radikaller, vücudunuzun ürettiği yaygın proinflamatuar faktörlerdir. Taze ve kurutulmuş kekik ekstraktlarının bu tür bileşiklerin üretimini kontrol ettiği kanıtlanmıştır (4).

Kafeik asit, klorojenik asit, kersetin, luteolin ve bunların kekikteki türevleri ağrı ve iltihaplanmayı azaltmada aktif rol oynar. Karvakrol, onun temel önemli bir bileşeni yağ, iyileştirebilir yaralar, kesikler, mide ülseri ve kanser (4), (5).

Bu nedenle kekik, romatoid artrit, adet krampları, kas ağrısı, diş ağrısı ve böcek ısırıkları gibi iltihaplı bozuklukları gidermeye yardımcı olabilir. Ayrıca harici kullanım için kekik bazlı topikal formüller - krem, losyon veya seyreltilmiş yağ gibi - yapabilirsiniz (6).

2. Mikrobiyal Enfeksiyonları Tedavi Eder

Kekik esansiyel yağı, güçlü antimikrobiyal aktiviteye sahiptir. Karvakrol ve timol - aktif bileşenleri - bu etkiden sorumludur. Bunlar değiştiren geçirgenliği bakteri ve mantar hücrelerinin. Bu, hücresel içeriklerinin sızmasına ve ölümüne yol açar (7), (8).

Kekiğin kullandığı bir başka mekanizma da serbest radikalleri serbest bırakmaktır. Vücudunuz, bu patojenleri yok etmek için bu reaktif molekülleri serbest bırakır. Bu mekanizma öncelikle bağırsağınızda gerçekleşir. Bununla birlikte, bu serbest radikaller vücudunuz için toksiktir (8).

Kekik ve yana petrol açısından zengin olan antioksidanlar, ya bunların tüketen ortadan kaldırır sisteminizde (8) bu toksinleri. Böylelikle, bu baharat hem bir gıda koruyucusu hem de bir antimikrobiyal ajan olarak ikiye katlanır (7), (8).

3. Kepek ve Saç Derisi Sorunlarını Giderir

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Kekik yaprakları uçucu yağ rezervuarlarıdır. Kekik yaprağı özlerinin saç ve kafa derisi üzerinde kullanılması bazı çalışmalarda olumlu etkiler göstermiştir. Denekler, tedaviden sonraki 7 gün içinde kepekte kayda değer bir azalma gösterdi (9).

Kekik yağları antifungal aktiviteye sahiptir. Bileşenleri, Penicillium ve Fusarium türlerine ait mantarları öldürebilir. Kekik yaprakları kullanarak daha ucuz bir kepek önleyici şampuan veya yağ yapabilirsiniz (9).

Karvakrol ve timol içlerinde bulunan bu özellik için sorumludur. Mikrobiyal kafa derisi enfeksiyonlarını önlemek ve sağlıklı saçları korumak için bu preparatlara hindistancevizi yağı, kafur, ebegümeci yaprakları / çiçekleri ve kekik yaprakları ekleyin (9).

4. Güçlü Bir Antioksidan

Kekik, serbest radikallerin oluşumunu ve birikmesini engelleyen fenolik bileşiklere ve vitaminlere sahiptir. Bu baharatın su bazlı özleri % 70'e kadar süperoksit (zararlı) iyonları ortadan kaldırabilir (10), (11).

They also chemically trap (chelate) metal ions, like iron. An excess of these metal ions has deleterious effects on your metabolism.

Chemical analyses revealed the presence of vitamin E (tocopherol derivatives) in oregano leaves. These active molecules inhibit lipid peroxidation. This may stop inflammation in the vital organs, ultimately protecting you from obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Alzheimers’s disease (11), (12).

5. May Treat Skin Diseases

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The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial property of oregano aids in wound healing. Some studies claim that this spice can treat psoriasis, eczema, rashes, and several skin conditions. However, there is insufficient evidence to prove this application (9).

Oregano oil is known for its antiseptic properties. Topical use of creams, ointments, and lotions containing this oil may relieve skin infection and inflammation (13).

It can also repair and remodel damaged tissues. With further research and trials, oregano extracts could be used in skin care products for children and adults (5).

6. Treats Flu And Viral Diseases

The carvacrol in oregano extracts demonstrates antiviral properties. Clinical studies report that this active molecule directly targets the RNA (genetic material) of certain viruses. This impairs their process of infecting a human host cell (14).

One of the most common and frequent viral infections we experience is the common cold. Ingesting oregano during a flu bout can reduce the severity of cough, sore throat, and fever. Having freshly brewed, hot oregano tea works the best in this case (15), (16).

Mexican oregano oil could inhibit other human viruses like HIV and Rotavirus. Further research is needed to establish its antiviral effects on herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis viruses, and human respiratory viruses (17).

Did You Know?

The word ‘oregano’ in Greek means ‘joy of the mountain.’

Greeks believed that cows that grazed in oregano fields produce tastier meat.

The active molecules in oregano leaves – like carvacrol and thymol – are responsible for these benefits. But, it is not just these two compounds. This spice has a rich nutritional profile containing polyphenols and micronutrients.

Scroll down to know more about its full nutritional profile.

Phytonutritional Profile Of Oregano

OREGANO (Dried leaves)
Nutrient	Unit	1 tsp, leaves = 1.0g
Proximates
Water	g	0.1
Energy	kcal	3
Energy	kJ	11
Protein	g	0.09
Total lipid (fat)	g	0.04
Ash	g	0.08
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	0.69
Fiber, total dietary	g	0.4
Sugars, total	g	0.04
Sucrose	g	0.01
Glucose (dextrose)	g	0.02
Fructose	g	0.01
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	16
Iron, Fe	mg	0.37
Magnesium, Mg	mg	3
Phosphorus, P	mg	1
Potassium, K	mg	13
Sodium, Na	mg	0
Zinc, Zn	mg	0.03
Copper, Cu	mg	0.006
Manganese, Mn	mg	0.05
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	0
Thiamin	mg	0.002
Riboflavin	mg	0.005
Niacin	mg	0.046
Pantothenic acid	mg	0.009
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.01
Folate, total	µg	2
Folate, food	µg	2
Folate, DFE	µg	2
Choline, total	mg	0.3
Betaine	mg	0.1
Vitamin A, RAE	µg	1
Carotene, beta	µg	10
Vitamin A, IU	IU	17
Lutein + zeaxanthin	µg	19
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	mg	0.18
Tocopherol, gamma	mg	0.24
Tocopherol, delta	mg	0.01
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	µg	6.2

Different varieties of oregano have different concentrations of phenolic compounds. The commonly found classes are phenolic acids, esters and its glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids (18).

Phenolic acids include rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, and lithospermic acid (18).

Terpenoids/terpenes like sabinene, 1,8-cineole, cymene, cadinene, ocimene, caryophyllene, germacrene D, limonene, bisabolene, linalool, spathulenol, carvacrol, and thymol were also identified in oregano (18) (19).

Flavonoids – including apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, diosmetin, quercetin, eriodictyol, cosmocide, and vicenin-2 – are also abundant in these leaves (18).

Since it has such a potent and loaded biochemical profile, oregano has been classified as a spice. No wonder it is integral to so many global and local cuisines!

Don’t you also want to know how to use it in cooking? Read the next section to find out how!

How To Use Oregano in Cooking

Fresh oregano can be used towards the end – like a cilantro garnish. Dried leaves should be added in the beginning so that the heat releases all its flavors.

You can use fresh/dried oregano in the following ways:

• Sprinkle it as a topping on pizzas, salads, soups, and
• Use it to flavor omelets, frittatas, and sautéed vegetables (stir-fry).
• Marinate meat and chicken with fresh, chopped oregano and other spices.
• Add it as a finishing touch to home-made garlic bread.
• Put a few sprigs of fresh oregano in a container with olive oil. Oregano-olive oil infusion is ready! You can cook, dress salads, and also apply it as a topical antiseptic/moisturizing agent.
• Vinaigrettes with oregano add great depth to Italian dishes.

Here’s a quick and delicious recipe using oregano. Why don’t you give it a shot right away?

Sizzling Barbeque Chicken – Italian style

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What You Need

• Lemon juice: 1 cup
• Vegetable/olive oil: ¼-½ cup
• Vinegar: ¼ cup
• Dried oregano: 1 tablespoon
• Garlic powder: 2 teaspoons
• Whole chicken: 1, cut into pieces
• Salt: to taste
• Pepper: to taste
• Mixing bowl: large sized
• Outdoor grill or similar grilling equipment

Let’s Make It!

1. To a large mixing bowl, add lemon juice, vegetable oil, vinegar, oregano, and garlic powder. Mix the contents well. (If you manage to get fresh oregano leaves, finely chop them before adding.)
2. Add the chicken pieces to the mixture.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Toss the pieces in the marinade thoroughly to coat evenly.
5. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.(Overnight marination will give best results)
6. Preheat an outdoor grill on high heat/temperature. Grease the grill grates lightly.
7. When the grill is prepared, carefully place the marinated chicken pieces on the grates.
8. Brush the chicken periodically with the remaining marinade while cooking.
9. Cook the chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear.
10. Transfer the cooked pieces to a serving dish.
11. Enjoy this Italian style barbeque chicken with rice or by itself with dips of your choice.

Ta-da!

Just reading this made my stomach growl with hunger! This recipe will leave you craving more – thanks to the zest and punch that oregano packs.

As it adds a blast of flavor to your food, it is best to stock some oregano in your pantry.

Before heading out to buy some, read the next section. The tips may come in handy.

How To Pick And Store The Best Oregano

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• Choose fresh oregano over the dried form. It has a deeper flavor.
• The leaves of fresh oregano should look bright and vibrant green. The stems should be firm.
• Discard the ones with dark spots or yellowing.
• When purchasing dried oregano, try to pick the one labeled ‘organically’ These products are free from irradiation, pesticide, etc.
• To store fresh oregano, wrap the bunch in a damp paper towel and place it in the refrigerator.
• You can also freeze the leaves – whole or chopped – in airtight
• Another interesting way to freeze oregano is in ice cube trays. Place fresh oregano leaves in each of the cubes. Fill them with either water or stock and freeze. Use these frozen oregano cubes when preparing soups or stews.
• Store dried oregano in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark, dry place. It keeps for about 6months when stored this way.

How To Dry Fresh Oregano Leaves

1. Pull off the tiny leaves from fresh oregano stalks and air-dry them separately.
2. Or, dry the entire stem, then crumble off the crisp leaves. You will need to hang bundles of these stems and leave them to dry for about two weeks. Loosely wrap a paper bag around these bundles to collect the leaves as they fall.
3. For those looking to quick-dry oregano, use a microwave oven or a food dehydrator. Flip the stems/leaves periodically to expose both their sides to air and heat.
4. Dried stalk remnants can go into the brick oven, grill, or smoker. Meat cooked on them will catch the mild herbaceous scent from these stalks.

With its excellent shelf life and storage options, oregano is here to stay!

But, is it healthy to eat oregano frequently? Is there an intake limit and are there any side effects linked to this herb? Scroll down to find out.

How Much Oregano Is Safe To Eat? Are There Any Side Effects Of Eating Oregano?

Oregano and its oil are likely safe when taken orally in food.

When taken by itself in medicinal amounts as a supplement, it is possibly safe. But the evidence is insufficient to prove its effectiveness (20).

However, oregano is a potent emmenagogue. It stimulates menstruation and uterine contractions (abortifacient). Hence, pregnant women and new mothers should avoid consuming it in high amounts (20).

An overdose of this herb may cause stomach ache and digestive issues. Also, applying concentrated or oxidized oregano based oils or creams may induce irritation. Though these side effects have not been proven yet, it is better to be safe than sorry (21).

In Summary

Oregano is a staple herb in the Mediterranean diet. Its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities enhance its value as a food additive and therapeutic agent. Traditional and modern alternative medicine use oregano to treat flu, cough, fever, and menstrual cramps.

Ancak kekik veya özlerini kullanmadan önce, vücudunuz için güvenliğini ve dozajını anlamak için sağlık uzmanınıza danışın. İle tıbbi rızası, sen yemek ve sağlıklı olsun bu bitkinin uygulayabilirsiniz cilt ve saç çok.

Bir dahaki sefere kadar, bu OG baharatlarla pişirmenin tadını çıkarın!

21 kaynak

Stylecraze katı kaynak kullanım kurallarına sahiptir ve hakemli araştırmalara, akademik araştırma kurumlarına ve tıbbi derneklere dayanır. Üçüncül referansları kullanmaktan kaçınırız. İçerik politikamızı okuyarak içeriğimizin doğru ve güncel olmasını nasıl sağladığımız hakkında daha fazla bilgi edinebilirsiniz.

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  lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1490&context=safepork

• EXTRACTED OIL FROM OREGANO (OREGANUM VULGARE) AS MAIN COMPONENT FOR ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO, Academia

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• Oregano, A Grower’s Guide, K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

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• Antiviral efficacy and mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol against murine norovirus. Journal of Applied Microbiology, US National Library of Medicine

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• Complementary Treatment of the Common Cold and Flu with Medicinal Plants – Results from Two Samples of Pharmacy Customers in Estonia, PLoS One, US National Library of Medicine

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• Antiviral activity of the Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) essential oil and its main compound carvacrol against human and animal viruses, Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, US National Library of Medicine

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