OREGANO: DESCRIPTION, PROPERTIES, BENEFITS, FORMS OF CONSUMPTION - NUTRITION - 2025

The oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a flowering plant common in the Mediterranean and Eurasia. It is considered a medicinal and culinary herb, having been used for thousands of years; it can have certain health benefits and it has a particular flavor.

It normally grows to 50cm tall and has purple flowers. Its name comes from the Greek words "oros", which means mountain, and "ganos", which means joy. The chemicals that give it its characteristic flavor are limonene, ocimene, thymol, pinene, caryophyllene and carvacrol.

Origanum vulgare. Dobromile

Besides the common oregano (Origanum vulgare), there are other varieties. The Mexican oregano or yerba dulce de México (Lippia graveolens) is the one with the most flavor and is part of another botanical family. On the other hand, there is the Spanish oregano, having this less flavor.

Regarding its health benefits, its antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been studied. Oregano oil and tea are used as natural remedies for arthritis, allergies, indigestion, or a cold.

Botanical description

Origanum vulgare. Isidre blanc

The oregano plant can grow up to 50 cm tall. It is a perennial plant, with small, clustered flowers that vary between white and purple / purple. The stem has abundant trichomes (plant hairs) and is a plant with great aromatic power.

Although oregano's habitat is a warm and relatively dry climate, it is grown annually in colder climates, unable to survive winter. It is normally planted at the beginning of spring in dry soils, with exposure to the sun and with a pH that varies between 6 and 9.

Origin and taxonomy

The genus Origanum is part of the tribe Mentheae, family Lamiaceae, order Lamiales. The Lamiaceae family is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia with a temperate climate.

Within the genus Origanum there are more than 50 species, highlighting Origanum amanum (native to Turkey), Origanum cordifolium (Cyprus), Origanum dictamnus (Crete, Greece), Origanum laevigatum (Cyprus, Syria and Turkey), Origanum libanoticum (Libya and Syria), Origanum majorana (Turkey, Cyprus), Origanum onites (Greece, Turkey, Sicily), Origanum rotundifolium (Turkey, Caucasus), Origanum syriacum (Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Sinai, Saudi Arabia) and Origanum Vulgare.

Nutritional value and properties

One tablespoon of oregano contains approximately 5 calories. In addition, it contains vitamins A (improves vision and the immune system), C, E (antioxidant power and cell protection) and K (prevents blood clotting), vitamin B6 (brain function), fiber, potassium (maintains the blood pressure and heart rate), magnesium, calcium (bone health), manganese, iron, and the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin.

Health benefits

There are several health benefits of oregano. Those discussed below are based on scientific studies, the references of which can be found at the end of the article.

Reduces inflammation and associated diseases

Because oregano is rich in antioxidants like carvacrol or thymol, it can decrease inflammation and the diseases it causes, such as diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune diseases. To get an idea, oregano has more than 42 times the antioxidant power of apple.

Its content in carvacrol, the chemical compound that produces its aroma, also has anti-inflammatory properties. On the other hand, its caryophyllene content can help treat osteoporosis or arteriosclerosis.

Taken together with other antioxidant-rich foods, especially vegetables and fruits, oregano can be a rich source of antioxidants that help improve health and prevent disease.

Control of type 2 diabetes

Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare), marjoram (Origanum majorana), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) are concentrated sources of bioactive compounds.

Herbs popularly used for cooking recipes, such as Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) have been found to have the ability to control type 2 diabetes, similar to as do certain drugs.

This is due to the fact that these culinary plants have in their composition the phytochemicals eriodictyol, naringenin, hispidulin, cirsimaritin and carnosol, which inhibit the DPP-IV protein, which is involved in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Cancer prevention

The antioxidants in oregano help neutralize free radicals and prevent the development of cancer, it could even help kill cancer cells.

One of the components of oregano, carvacrol can help suppress the growth and spread of colon cancer. On the other hand, the Origanum majorana species could reduce the progress of breast cancer.

More studies are required to understand this property, although to enhance its effects it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, with exercise, little stress and a healthy diet.

Fight pathogenic bacteria

Oregano also has some components with antibacterial properties. Oregano oil in particular can block the growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, whose pathogenic strains can cause diarrhea and cystic fibrosis respectively.

Reduces viral infections

In addition to helping control disease-causing bacterial infections, oregano can fight certain viruses, thanks to its antioxidants thymol and carvacrol.

Specifically, carvacrol can help inactivate viruses of the Norovirus genus, which can cause nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Also, thymol and carvacrol can inactivate the herpes simplex virus.

Other possible benefits

According to The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, oregano can also be used to:

• Bronchitis.
• Toothache.
• Herpes labialis.
• Acne.
• Fatigue.
• Menstrual cramps
• Allergies
• Earache.
• Headaches.
• Dandruff.

Forms of consumption

There are two main ways to consume oregano: as an ingredient in culinary recipes and as oil of oregano.

Cooking recipes with oregano

Dried oregano can be used added as a condiment in ready-made meals or used in the process of making sauces.

Although there are hundreds of possibilities, some recipes are: pizza with oregano, chicken with oregano, fresh tomato with oregano, baked potatoes with oregano, potato omelette with oregano, noodles with oregano, etc.

Oregano oil

Regarding oregano oil, it can be ingested directly (1-3 drops three times a day) or applied directly to the outbreak in case of herpes. In case of skin sensitivity, it will be diluted in a mixture that may contain almond, olive or chia oil. It is important to avoid contact with nostrils, eyes and others.

Where to buy or get oregano

Dried oregano can easily be found in the ingredient / spice section of supermarkets. It can also be purchased in online stores.

Fresh oregano can be found in the field - if the laws of the country allow it to be taken - or in local markets.

Contraindications and side effects

It is necessary to avoid its consumption in the following cases:

-Surgery and bleeding disorders: oregano may increase the risk of bleeding.

-Allergies: the consumption of oregano can cause stomach upset in some people. It is important to avoid its consumption in those allergic to plants of the Lamiaceae family; sage, mint, oregano, lavender, basil, among others.

-Pregnancy and breastfeeding: if consumed in considerable quantities, oregano can cause a spontaneous abortion. Because there is not enough knowledge about pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is preferable to avoid its consumption in these cases.

-Bleeding disorders: oregano may increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

-Diabetes: because oregano can help reduce blood sugar levels, it is necessary to use it in moderation if the person using it is diabetic.

References

1. Oregano. Taken from en.wikipedia.org.
2. Oregano. Taken from webmd.com.
3. Jospeh Nordqvist. What are the health benefits of oregano ?. Taken from medicalnewstoday.com.
4. Science-Based Health Benefits of Oregano. Taken from healthline.com.
5. Nishino H, Tokuda H, Satomi Y, Masuda M, Osaka Y, Yogosawa S, Wada S, Mou XY, Takayasu J, Murakoshi M, Jinnno K, Yano M. Cancer prevention by antioxidants. (2004). Biofactors. Taken from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630252.
6. Fan K, Li X, Cao Y, Qi H, Li L, Zhang Q, Sun H. (2015). Carvacrol inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. Anticancer Drugs. Taken from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26214321
7. Natural medicines research collaboration: naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com