Oregano

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Oregano
- Wild Marjoram
- Mountain Joy
- Greek Oregano

Latin Name: Origanum vulgare

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Digestive aid and carminative - Mediterranean and European folk medicine, centuries of use
• Respiratory support for coughs and bronchitis - Traditional European herbalism
• Fever reduction and diaphoretic - Greek and Roman medicine
• Antiseptic wash for wounds and sores - Folk medicine across cultures
• Emmenagogue to promote menstruation - Traditional women's medicine

Modern Uses

• Antimicrobial activity - Broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus; antifungal against Candida species; 26 times more powerful as an antiseptic than phenol

• Source citations: Handbook of Medicinal Herbs; The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy; Western Materia Medica II

• Antioxidant protection - Protects cells from oxidative damage | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Inhibits lipid peroxidation; scavenges peroxyl radicals; flavonoids galangin and quercetin demonstrate antimutagenic properties against dietary carcinogens

• Source citations: Handbook of Medicinal Herbs; Encyclopedia of Herbs

• Digestive support - Relieves gas, bloating, and indigestion | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Carminative volatile oils reduce intestinal spasms and gas; antispasmodic action on smooth muscle

• Source citations: Illustrated Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies; Herbal Kitchen

• Respiratory support - Expectorant and decongestant for coughs and bronchitis | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Contains thymol which is antiseptic and expectorant; rosmarinic acid facilitates healing of bronchial inflammation; helps loosen thick secretions
• Source citations: Herbal Kitchen; Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Carvacrol - Primary phenolic compound responsible for most antimicrobial activity; highly antiseptic
- Thymol - Phenolic compound with antiseptic, expectorant, and antioxidant properties
- Rosmarinic acid - Anti-inflammatory compound that supports respiratory health and inhibits complement activation
- Flavonoids (galangin, quercetin) - Antioxidant and antimutagenic compounds
- Terpenes (pinene) - Contribute to antimicrobial and aromatic properties

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Dried leaf tea (infusion)
- Amount: 1-2 teaspoons dried leaf per cup of water
- Frequency: Up to 3 times daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Dried leaf tea or tincture
- Amount: 2-3 teaspoons (4-6 grams) leaf in tea per day
- Purpose: Respiratory infections, digestive complaints
- Duration: Short-term use during acute conditions recommended

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: 6 grams dried herb
- Warning threshold: Essential oil requires extreme dilution; internal use of essential oil should be supervised

Bioavailability Notes:
- Keep tea covered while steeping to preserve volatile oils
- Volatile oils are best extracted with hot water infusion
- Essential oil is highly concentrated and must be diluted before any use

How to Take It

Timing:
- After meals for digestive support
- At onset of cold/flu symptoms for respiratory support
- Tea should be covered until ready to drink to preserve volatile compounds

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Thyme - Both contain thymol and carvacrol; combined antimicrobial and respiratory support | Enhanced expectorant action
2. Holy Basil - Combined in honey preparations for respiratory infections | Synergistic immune support
3. Garlic - Complementary antimicrobial mechanisms | Broad-spectrum infection support
4. Echinacea - Immune-boosting combination | Enhanced immune response during infections

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Other blood-thinning herbs (ginkgo, garlic in high doses) - Potential additive antiplatelet effects | Use caution with combinations

Drug Interactions:
1. Anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin) - May enhance blood-thinning effects | Potential bleeding risk | Severity: Moderate
2. Diabetes medications - May affect blood sugar levels | Monitor glucose | Severity: Mild
3. Lithium - Diuretic effect may affect lithium levels | Monitor lithium levels | Severity: Moderate

Food Interactions:
- None significant for culinary use
- Essential oil should not be taken with alcohol

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Pregnancy (emmenagogue properties may stimulate uterine contractions)
- Allergy to plants in the Lamiaceae/mint family
- Prior to surgery (discontinue 2 weeks before due to potential bleeding effects)

Side Effects:
- Common: Mild stomach upset in sensitive individuals
- Rare: Allergic reactions in those sensitive to mint family plants
- Essential oil: Skin irritation, burning sensation if undiluted

Long-Term Use:
- Culinary amounts considered safe for ongoing use
- Therapeutic doses: Use for 2 weeks, then take a 2-week break
- Essential oil: Not recommended for long-term internal use; cycle on and off

Special Precautions:
- Essential oil must ALWAYS be diluted before topical use (known as a "hot oil")
- Essential oil can stain dental bonding
- May be irritating to skin and mucous membranes in susceptible individuals
- Do not confuse with sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana), which has different properties

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Antimicrobial support, respiratory infections, digestive complaints, immune support

Secondary: Antioxidant protection, topical antiseptic, muscle aches (topical)

Sources

Local Library:
- Duke, James A. - Handbook of Medicinal Herbs
- Gehring, Abigail - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies
- DeBaggio, Thomas - The Encyclopedia of Herbs
- Gladstar, Rosemary - Herbal Kitchen
- WRCHM - Western Materia Medica II
- Worwood, Valerie Ann - The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
- Lavabre, Marcel - Aromatherapy Workbook
- Little, Maureen - Home Herbal
- Edwards, Victoria H. - The Aromatherapy Companion
- Schnaubelt, Kurt - The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils

General Knowledge:
- American Herbal Products Association safety classification
- Traditional herbal medicine references