Oregano

Oregano

Latin Name: Origanum vulgare
Family: Lamiaceae

Part used: Herb/ leaf.
Energetics: Bit bitter, pungent, sweet, astringent, warming & cooling potential.
Iris: Lymphatic & Mixed.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Pregnancy - uterine stimulant
  • Topical use on hypersensitive skin
  • Children under 2 years (topically)

ACTIONS

  • Tonic
  • Stimulant
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-fungal
  • Anti-protozoal
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-spasmodic
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-stress
  • Emmenagogue
  • Vulnerary
  • Diaphoretic
  • Digestive
  • Expectorant
  • Carminative
  • Rubefacient

Main Constituents

  • Volatile oil up to 3%
  • Camphor
  • Linalool
  • Carvacrol (antiseptic, anthelmintic)
  • Thymol
  • Rosmarinic acid
  • Eugenol
  • Steroid
  • Vitamins: A, C

Main Uses

Digestive System: Oral infections, Halitosis, Nausea, Heartburn, Intestinal pain, Gurgling digestion

Infections:
Bacteria: Acinetobacter baumanni, Bacillus anthracis/ cereus, E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus.
Fungi: Aspergillus, Candida
Viruses: Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster, Herpes genitalis, SARS-CoV-2.
Eyes: Conjunctivitis
Circulatory: Palpitations
Nervous system: Dizziness
Musculo-Skeletal System: Rheumatic pain
Endocrine: Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea
Respiratory System: Bronchitis, Upper respiratory infections
Reproductive System: Infertility
Urinary System: Urgent urination, Bed-wetting

More About Oregano

In Ancient Greece Oregano herb was once an important medicine. The fragrant herb was praised for its stimulating, warm and relaxing effects on the respiratory and reproductive organs.
Greek, Italian & Sicilian O. heracleoticum are used medicinally and are excellent for food use. The herb zaatar (O. syriacum) is fluffy and tasty and an ingredient in the traditional Middle Eastern dishes. Sweet marjoram (O. marjorana) is fruity, being used almost exclusively as a culinary spice. Unlike marjoram, Oregano is antiseptic analgesic and antiparasitic.
Wild Oregano is obtained from the species Origanum minutiflorum and which contains one of the highest natural concentrations of carvacrol (91-95% carvacrol of the volatile oils). The plant grows at an altitude of over 1,500 metres in the wilderness of the Turkish mountain range and this location determines its content in carvacrol.
Used medicinally, Oregano has broad activity as an antioxidant, antiseptic, preservative and anthelmintic. It is antifungal against Candida, Tinea pedis, fungal scalp conditions and Aspergillus. The tea or tincture can be taken internally for treating most viruses and bacteria. Drunk hot, Oregano promotes sweating and may help with the onset of infections and fevers.
It stimulates bile and enzyme secretion to support and improve digestive function.
The essential oil exerts an antiseptic influence on the lungs, bronchi and nasal passages and can help to maintain oral hygiene. It has a relaxant effect on the respiratory system and is mucolytic and expectorant and can be taken at the onset of symptoms. It works well as a gargle for throat infections.
Oregano is stimulating to the immune system and increases the levels of interferon. It has anti -biofilm activity, so can help with most stubborn pathogens.
Its antibacterial action is effective against Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staph. aureus, Staph. Epidermidis and Listeria monocytogene.
Oregano has a strong uterine stimulant action for promoting menstruation and expelling the afterbirth.
It combines well with Mugwort and Chamomile for delayed, difficult menstruation and uterine cramping.

Recipes:


Oregano Roasted Vegetables:

Ingredients:

  • Approx. 500gr of mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, courgette, cherry tomatoes, red onion, broccoli, and carrots), chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Fresh oregano leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped vegetables.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Pour the oregano mixture over the vegetables and toss until the vegetables are evenly coated.
  • Spread the coated vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned. Be sure to toss them halfway through the cooking time for even roasting.
  • Once the vegetables are done, remove them from the oven and drizzle the lemon juice over them. Toss to combine.
  • Garnish with fresh oregano leaves if desired.
  • Serve the oregano roasted vegetables as a side dish or as a main course over cooked quinoa, rice, or pasta.

References


Carvacrol, thymol, antimicrobial, antioxidant, lipid peroxidation

Oregano Essential Oil as an Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Additive in Food Products
The main compounds identified in the different OEOs are carvacrol and thymol, which are responsible for the characteristic odor, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. In addition, the OEO has antioxidant properties effective in retarding the process of lipid peroxidation in fatty foods, and scavenging free radicals.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25763467/

Candida spp., antibiofilm, inhibitory effects, antifungal

Oregano essential oil inhibits Candida spp. biofilms.
The antifungal activities of some essential oils were investigated against C. spp. and among them, oregano oil was found to be the most effective oil and further biofilm studies were conducted with it. Oregano oil inhibited biofilm adhesion and formation of C. spp. This study suggests that O. onites essential oil has useful antibiofilm effects against C. spp. The inhibitory effects of O. onites essential oil, against C. spp., were demonstrated for the first time. It also had antifungal effect on biofilm formation and established biofilm even at MIC level.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33915040/

Antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, spasmolytic, and vasorelaxant

The bioactivity and toxicological actions of carvacrol.
Results from in vitro and in vivo studies show that carvacrol possess a variety of biological and pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, spasmolytic, and vasorelaxant.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24915411/

Bactericidal, streptococcal pharyngitis

Carvacrol exhibits rapid bactericidal activity against Streptococcus pyogenes through cell membrane damage.
Carvacrol alone, combined with clindamycin or penicillin, can be used as a safe and efficacious natural health product for managing streptococcal pharyngitis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33452275/

Breast cancer

Carvacrol affects breast cancer cells through TRPM7 mediated cell cycle regulation.
This study demonstrated that carvacrol suppresses breast cancer cells by cell cycle regulation and the TRPM7 pathway is one of the pharmacological mechanisms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33310045/

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