Oregano in Herbalist: Property of the Oregano

Scientific name

Origanum vulgare

Family

Labiatae

Origin

Europe

Used Parts

Drug consisting of flowering tops

Chemical constituents

Flavonoids;
Essential oil (thymol, carvacrol)

Oregano in Herbalist: Property of the Oregano

Oregano is a spice widely used for gastronomic purposes, but as an essential oil it is also used in phytotherapy: it represents, in fact, a powerful antibacterial and antifungal (medical prescription). However, its use is limited due to its low therapeutic index, being irritating to skin and mucous membranes.

The decoction tops are considered emmenagogues and exciting, while in infusion it is used as an antispasmodic and digestive. However, for more detailed information on the use of oregano in infusions, see the article on "Oregano (Sommita Fiorite) in Tisane".

Biological activity

The oregano has not obtained the official approval for any kind of therapeutic indication, however, to its essential oil different properties are ascribed.

The activities attributed to the aforementioned oil that stand out the most are certainly those antibacterial and antifungal. These properties, in fact, have been confirmed by several studies conducted in vitro and are attributable to the thymol and carvacrol contained in the essential oil of the plant.

The antibacterial action of the essential oil of oregano is expressed both against Gram-positive bacteria (such as, for example, Staphylococcus aureus ), and against Gram-negative bacteria (such as, for example, Escherichia coli ).

The antifungal action, on the other hand, was particularly effective against fungi such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Candida albicans and various species belonging to the genus Fusarium .

In addition, antioxidant properties are attributed to oregano, which have been confirmed by various studies conducted on the subject. More in detail, these activities are attributable both to the essential oil and to the non-polar fraction of the residue obtained after the extraction of the same essential oil from the plant. The antioxidant action of the aforementioned nonpolar fraction appears to be due to its relatively high gamma-tocopherol content.

Furthermore, the essential oil of oregano has also been shown to have an interesting antiparasitic activity, especially against intestinal parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax nana .

Finally, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties have been attributed to rosmarinic acid isolated from oregano (but also present within rosemary).

Oregano in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine, oregano is used as an internal remedy for the treatment of various diseases of the respiratory tract, such as cough, bronchial inflammation and catarrhal diseases (expectorant remedy), but not only. In fact, the plant is also used internally in the treatment of dyspepsia, urinary tract disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea and scrofula.

Furthermore, traditional medicine uses oregano in topical preparations that are used to counter infections caused by Herpes simplex virus.

Chinese medicine, on the other hand, uses oregano as a remedy for the treatment of colds, fever, dysentery, vomiting and jaundice; in addition to using it, even as a remedy to combat malnutrition in children.

Oregano is also used in homeopathic medicine, where it can easily be found in the form of mother tincture, oral drops and granules.

In this context, the plant is used in cases of excessive sexual excitement and nymphomania, as well as being used as a remedy for the treatment of airway infections, coughs and bronchitis.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken may vary from individual to individual, also depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated and the type of homeopathic preparation and dilution that you want to use.