We investigated the impact of oregano leaf extract on mood and depression, focusing on its ability to enhance the levels of vital neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These chemicals are essential for regulating mood, anxiety, and overall emotional well-being.
The study demonstrated that oregano extract has a dose-dependent effect, meaning that as we increase the amount, its ability to inhibit the breakdown and reuptake of these neurotransmitters also increases. This function is crucial because it helps maintain higher levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which may lead to improved mood.
Through experiments using rats, we observed an increase in serotonin levels in the brain following the administration of oregano extract. Furthermore, behavioral tests in mice showed positive responses similar to those seen when other monoamine-enhancing treatments were used in humans.
In conclusion, our findings suggest that oregano extract could be a valuable addition to support mental well-being, particularly due to its triple reuptake inhibitory activity. While further research is needed to fully understand its effects on humans, these results are promising for those seeking natural mood enhancement.
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We explored the potential antidepressant effects of carvacrol, a natural compound primarily found in oregano and thyme. This study involved using two behavioral tests in mice—forced swimming and tail suspension—to evaluate how carvacrol might reduce symptoms of depression.
Mice received different doses of carvacrol to see how it affected their behavior. Encouragingly, we observed that carvacrol significantly decreased the time the mice remained immobile during these tests, suggesting an antidepressant-like effect. Interestingly, this effect happened at a specific dosage (25 mg/kg) and did not alter the mice’s activity levels in an open-field test, indicating a targeted action.
Delving deeper into the mechanisms, we found that the impact of carvacrol on mood appeared to interact with the brain’s dopaminergic system. However, it didn't seem to engage with the serotonin or norepinephrine systems typically associated with many antidepressants. This highlights a unique pathway through which carvacrol could help combat depression without the usual side effects related to other treatments.
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Oregano tea improves depression symptomsThe effect of Origanum majorana tea on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled pilot study.
Combination therapy complicates results
We explored the effects of Origanum majorana tea on depression and other symptoms in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Our study involved sixty participants who were placed in either a treatment group consuming oregano tea or a control group receiving a placebo. This random double-blind design ensured that neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving which treatment, helping to enhance the reliability of the results.
After one month of treatment, we found a promising improvement in depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and non-motor symptoms assessed with the Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS) in those who consumed oregano tea. Both the BDI and NMSS scores showed statistically significant reductions, suggesting that oregano tea may work well alongside conventional therapies to help manage depression in these patients.
However, when it came to the motor symptoms measured using the UPDRSIII scale, we didn’t see a significant improvement. The UPDRSIII scores decreased slightly, but not enough to be deemed statistically significant. This indicates that while oregano tea could be beneficial for depression and other non-motor symptoms, it may take a longer duration to observe any changes in motor symptoms. Further research involving more participants and longer treatment periods is needed to expand on these initial findings.
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