Oregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Origanum vulgare, a Mint family herb, native to the Mediterranean region and southwestern Europe (Baser, 2008), is now grown and cultivated on most continents under a variety of conditions—which can affect the specific constituents of its essential oils (Lukas, Schmiderer, & Novak, 2015; Singletary, 2010). Greece, Israel, and Turkey are known for producing high-quality Oregano essential oils (Lukas et al., 2015). Oregano leaves are used dry or fresh as a culinary herb to flavor pizza, fish, meat, vegetables, and baked goods (Singletary, 2010). The ancient Greeks and Romans used the leaves as an antiseptic and for treating skin sores, aching muscles, stomach aches, coughs, colds, and other respiratory diseases, and Oregano tea with wine for treating snake bites (Baser, 2008; Singletary, 2010). Studies have shown that the essential oils from Oregano have strong chemopreventive, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties (Grondona et al., 2014).
Historical Use
R. Eglesfeld’s Medical Botany, published in 1847, includes historical information on the use of Oregano. Oregano’s essential oils have been used to stimulate or increase menstrual flow (i.e., as an emmenagogue), to induce perspiration (as a diaphoretic), and, added to a liquid or lotion (liniment) for rubbing on the body, to relieve pain.
Latest Research
- Genomic, Molecular, and Phenotypic Characterization of Arthrobacter sp. OVS8, an Endophytic Bacterium Isolated from and Contributing to the Bioactive Compound Content of the Essential Oil of the Medicinal Plant Origanum vulgare Lby Giulia Semenzato on March 11, 2023 at 11:00 am
Medicinal plants play an important role in the discovery of new bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity, thanks to their pharmacological properties. However, members of their microbiota can also synthesize bioactive molecules. Among these, strains belonging to the genera Arthrobacter are commonly found associated with the plant’s microenvironments, showing plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity and bioremediation properties. However, their role as antimicrobial secondary metabolite…
- Anticholinesterase Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants from Navarra Region of Spain and a Detailed Phytochemical Investigation of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. vulgareby María Pilar de Torre on October 27, 2022 at 10:00 am
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive impairment due to a severe loss of cholinergic neurons in specific brain areas. It is the most common type of dementia in the aging population. Although many anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) drugs are already available on the market, their performance sometimes yields unexpected results. For this reason, research works are ongoing to find potential anti-AChE agents both from natural and…
- Origanum syriacum Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties: A Comprehensive Reviewby Joelle Mesmar on July 9, 2022 at 10:00 am
Herbal medicine has been gaining special interest as an alternative choice of treatment for several diseases, being generally accessible, cost-effective and safe, with fewer side-effects compared to chemically synthesized medicines. Over 25% of drugs worldwide are derived from plants, and surveys have shown that, when available, herbal medicine is the preferred choice of treatment. Origanum syriacum (Lamiaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant in the Middle East, both as a home and a folk…
- Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil Prevents Behavioral and Oxidative Stress Changes in the Scopolamine Zebrafish Modelby Luminita Capatina on December 10, 2021 at 11:00 am
Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum has been used as medicinal herbs promoting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective activities. We investigated the protective effects and the mechanism of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum essential oil (OEO) on cognitive impairment and brain oxidative stress in a scopolamine (Sco)-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of cognitive impairment. Our results show that exposure to Sco (100 µM) leads to anxiety, spatial memory, and response to novelty…
- Aqueous Extract of Origanum majorana at Low Temperature (0°C) Promotes Mitochondrial Fusion and Contributes to Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cellsby Asma Algebaly on September 28, 2021 at 10:00 am
Marjoram plants have varied pharmacological properties because they contain antioxidants. In the present study, to evaluate the effect of Origanum majorana, gathered from Abha, Saudi Arabia, on the growth of human breast cancer cells using MCF7. Fresh aerial parts from Origanum majorana were extracted at a low temperature (0 ℃/6 hours). Human MCF7 breast cancer cells were then treated with 4 separate fluctuated concentrations of 0, 50, 150, 200 and 350 µg/mL for 24 and 48 hours. The findings…
References
Baser, K. H. (2008). Biological and pharmacological activities of carvacrol and carvacrol-bearing essential oils. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 14(29), 3106–3119. doi:10.2174/138161208786404227
Grondona, E., Gatti, G., Lopez, A. G., Sanchez, L. R., Rivero, V., Pessah, O., . . . Ponce, A. A. (2014). Bio-efficacy of the essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare Lamiaceae. Ssp. Hirtum). Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 69(4), 351–357. doi:10.1007/s11130-014-0441-x
Lukas, B., Schmiderer, C., & Novak, J. (2015). Essential oil diversity of European Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae). Phytochemistry, 119, 32–40. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.09.008
Singletary, K. (2010). Oregano: overview of the literature on health benefits. Nutrition Today, 45(3), 129–138.
Other Resources
Natural Medicines record: Oregano. (Access to UI only)