Latin (Botanical) Name: Origanum vulgare
Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Common Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Typically Used Plant Part: Leaves and flowers
Color: Pale yellow
Aromatic Characteristic: Warm, herbaceous, spicy, strong aroma
The botanical Latin name for oregano, Origanum vulgare, derives from the Greek term origanon, meaning "bitter plant". Etymologically, the word is derived from the Ancient Greek words "oros" meaning "mountain" and "ganos" meaning "joy". When combined, it means "the brilliance of the mountain" or "the joy of the mountains".
According to Greek legend, Goddess Aphrodite created oregano as a symbol of happiness to make humanity's life happier. Couples who married in ancient Greece wore oregano crowns on their heads, believing that it was a powerful deterrent to evil spirits. They would also place oregano in the graves of their loved ones who died because of their belief that it brings peace.
The oregano plant and its essential oil have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Greek doctors, including Hippocrates and Maimonides, recommended it for its health benefits.
When the Romans conquered Greece, they took in the flavor of oregano and began to spread its cultivation to Europe and North Africa. In these regions, it was also used as a flavoring for foods such as meat and fish. Its food use continued into the Middle Ages, when it was one of the few food flavorings available during this period. Its medicinal practice also continued, and people chewed the leaves in hopes of relieving indigestion, toothache and inflammation, and suppressing a cough. Oregano later reached China, most likely via the Spice Route from the Middle East. Chinese doctors also began to prescribe it as a medicinal herb. In England, oregano has been used as an additive to tobacco breath and as a perfume in bags.
Oregano essential oil is still widely used today for its health benefits. It can be diluted and used topically in cosmetic applications or aromatherapy.
KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BENEFITS
Oregano oil shows anti-inflammatory characteristic thanks to the carvacrol component it contains [8]. It helps to soothe body aches such as joint pain, redness, irritation and discomfort associated with injury [9] [10].
Oregano oil supports immunity [11]. Inhalation of oregano oil helps to expectorate, open the airways, ease nose blowing, and reduce cold and cough symptoms [4].
When oregano oil is inhaled, the odor receptors in the emotional power center of the brain process the odor as a sedative, allowing the brain and body to relax [12] [13].
Due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, oregano oil can work as a natural yet powerful household cleaner. You can mix 2 glasses of water with 5 drops of oregano oil and 5 drops of lemon peel oil in a bottle and use it as a surface cleaner. It also helps keep ants and bugs away.
WARNINGS
ACADEMIC STUDIES
[1] A. Nostro, T. Papalia (2012). Antimicrobial activity of carvacrol: current progress and future prospectives. Recent Pat Antiinfect Drug Discov., 2012 Apr;7(1):28-35.
[2] R. D. Castro, T. M. P. A. Souza, L. M. D. Bezerra, G. L. S. Ferreira, E. M. M. B. Costa, A. L. Cavalcanti (2015). Antifungal activity and mode of action of thymol and its synergism with nystatin against Candida species involved with infections in the oral cavity: an in vitro study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine volume 15, Article number: 417 (2015)
[3] H. G. Preuss, B. Echard, A. Dadgar, N. Talpur, V. Manohar, M. Enig, D. Bagchi, C. Ingram (2005). Effects of Essential Oils and Monolaurin on Staphylococcus aureus: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. Toxicol Mech Methods, 2005;15(4):279-85.
[4] Aljaafari, M.N.; AlAli, A.O.; Baqais, L.; Alqubaisy, M.; AlAli, M.; Molouki, A.; Ong-Abdullah, J.; Abushelaibi, A.; Lai, K.-S.; Lim, S.E. (2021).An Overview of the Potential Therapeutic Applications of Essential Oils. Molecules 2021, 26, 628.
[5] J. P. Veenstra, J. J. Johnson (2019). Oregano (Origanum vulgare) extract for food preservation and improvement in gastrointestinal health. Int J Nutr. 2019; 3(4): 43–52.
[6] W. Zheng, S. Y. Wang (2001). Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in selected herbs. J Agric Food Chem., 2001 Nov;49(11):5165-70.
[7] L.T. Chuang, T.H. Tsai, T.J. Lien, W.C. Huang, J.J. Liu, H. Chang, M.L. Chang, P.J. Tsai (2018). Ethanolic Extract of Origanum vulgare Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Monocyte and Mouse Ear Edema Models. Molecules. 2018 Aug; 23(8): 1987.
[8] F. V. Silva, A. G. Guimarães, E. R. S. Silva, B. P.S. Neto, F. D. F. Machado, L. J. Q. Júnior, D. D. R. Arcanjo, F. A. Oliveira, R. C. M. Oliveira (2012). Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of carvacrol, a monoterpene present in the essential oil of oregano. J Med Food, 2012 Nov;15(11):984-91.
[9] S. Aydın, Y. Öztürk, R. Beis, K. H. C. Başer (1996). Investigation of Origanum onites, Sideritis congesta and Satureja cuneifolia Essential Oils for Analgesic Activity. Phytotherapy Research, Volume10, Issue4, June 1996, Pages 342-344.
[10] M. R. A. Khaki, Y. Pahlavan, G. Sepehri, V. Sheibani, B. Pahlavan (2013). Antinociceptive Effect of Aqueous Extract of Origanum vulgare L. in Male Rats: Possible Involvement of the GABAergic System. Iran J Pharm Res. 2013 Spring; 12(2): 407–413.
[11] Froehlich, Kelly Ann, "Evaluation of Essential Oils (Stay Strong) for Dairy Calves" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1013.
[12] Melo FH, Venâncio ET, de Sousa DP, de França Fonteles MM, de Vasconcelos SM, Viana GS, et al. Anxiolytic-like effect of carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) in mice: involvement with GABAergic transmission. Fundam Clin Pharmacol.2010;24(4):437-443
[13] Kaewwongse M, Sanesuwan K, Pupa P, Bullangpoti V. Essential oil compounds as stress reducing agents in rats. Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci. 2013;78(2):167-172.
