Oregano does more than just add flavor to your food—it might also give your cardiovascular health a little boost. Some research suggests this herb could help lower blood pressure and keep it in a healthy range, thanks to its antioxidant properties and ability to help blood vessels relax.
1. Antioxidants Battle Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Some studies suggest that two compounds in oregano—carvacrol and thymol—may have antioxidant effects in certain contexts, potentially helping reduce oxidative stress. However, more research is needed.
Oxidative stress and inflammation are thought to contribute to damage and dysfunction in blood vessel and nervous system cells, which may play a role in the development of high blood pressure.
Oregano has been shown to reduce markers of oxidative stress in human and animal studies. While this may have some implications for blood pressure, more reliable research in humans is needed to better understand any direct effects.
2. It May Relax Blood Vessels
Tight, narrow, and stiff blood vessels can lead to high blood pressure. When consuming oregano, however, blood vessels can be more relaxed and open due to carvacrol.
Carvacrol acts as a blood vessel dilator, opening blood vessels to improve blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, helping maintain healthy blood pressure.
What Causes Blood Vessel Narrowing?
Several factors can play a role in the narrowing of blood vessels, including:6
- Smoking
- Stress
- Cold temperatures
- Plaque build-up
- Certain medications
- Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, infections, or chronic inflammation
- Blood clots
- Sedentary lifestyle
3. It May Lower Bad Cholesterol
The two compounds that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation can also support heart health and blood pressure by reducing cholesterol, which, over time, can cause plaque (fatty deposits) to build up in the arteries, narrowing blood vessels.5
This plaque build-up is known as atherosclerosis
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:7
- Smoking
- Underlying health conditions, such as obesity or diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Eating a diet high in saturated fat
4. It May Help Reduce Calcium Entering Cells and Relax Blood Vessels
Calcium entering smooth muscle cells more quickly can cause blood vessels to constrict, making it harder for blood to flow. Vascular resistance is the difficulty with which blood flows through the body, influenced by factors such as blood thickness and the size and length of blood vessels.
Oregano has been shown to reduce calcium influx into smooth muscle, promoting healthier blood vessels.
Don’t You Need Calcium?
The body uses calcium for various functions, including muscle contraction and signaling between nerves and the brain. However, too much calcium can lead to unhealthy effects, such as poor muscle tone, abnormal heart rhythms, organ dysfunction, and an increased risk of heart disease.
What Else Do I Need to Know About Oregano?
Oregano has been used in folk medicine to treat a variety of other ailments, including asthma, indigestion, stomach issues, and general infections, as well as blood pressure. However, clinical research is needed to better understand its impact.
Oregano on its own may not lower blood pressure, but it will contribute nutrients that have an indirect role in supporting heart health as part of a varied and balanced healthy diet, especially if it helps replace salt. Incorporating either fresh or dried oregano into your diet can be easy. You can also make oregano tea. Using oregano essential oil internally is not advised.
Too much oregano, especially at high doses, may have adverse effects in some people. Amounts typically used in foods are generally safe unless someone is allergic to it. Be cautious when combining with antidiabetes drugs, as in vitro and animal studies suggest that oregano extracts might lower blood glucose levels. Based on in vitro studies, oregano may theoretically increase bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
It may also interact with blood sugar medications because of its blood pressure-lowering effects. It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider if you take any medications, as they may interact with oregano (verywellhealth)
