Oregano Herb Profile
Also known as
Origanum vulgare, Common and Wild Marjoram, Greek Oregano and Winter Oregano.
Introduction
Oregano is a warm and aromatic yet slightly bitter herb in the mint family. Good quality oregano has a pungency that numbs the tongue. The best quality oregano is grown in a warm, dry climate. The name is derived from the Greek, meaning "mountain of joy". The Greeks used the leaves as a poultice for aching muscles, and the Romans used it for scorpion and spider bites. Sunlight encourages the concentration of the essential oils that give oregano its flavor. Two other herbs are used in the same ways as common oregano but have different culinary and medicinal properties. Mexican oregano is a plant in the verbena family that has an even stronger flavor, while marjoram is a closely related plant that lacks oregano's essential oil and has a different, gentler "mouth feel."
Constituents
Carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, caryophyllene.
Parts Used
Dried leaves and flowering stems.
Typical Preparations
Capsules, tinctures, teas, or essential oil. Most commonly used as a flavor and spice in culinary dishes.
Summary
The leaves and flowering stems are strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic. Oregano is taken by mouth for the treatment of colds, influenza, mild fevers, indigestion, stomach upsets and painful menstruation. It is strongly sedative and should not be taken in large doses, though mild teas have a soothing effect and aid restful sleep. Used topically, oregano is one of the best herbal antiseptics because of its high thymol content.
Precautions
Not known to be safe during pregnancy.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
