Lamiaceae
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Mediterranean, Middle East
Also known as: Wild Marjoram, Pot Marjoram, Greek Oregano
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
GI infections (SIBO, H. pylori, Candida), respiratory infections, parasites, coughs, IBS. Oil of oregano: potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial comparable to pharmaceutical antibiotics in lab studies.
Herbal Actions
Antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, carminative, expectorant
Active Constituents
Volatile oil (carvacrol 60–80% — primary antimicrobial, thymol 10%, gamma-terpinene), rosmarinic acid, flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin), ursolic acid, oleanolic acid
Preparation Methods
⚗️ Essential Oil💊 Capsule☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried herb per 250ml, steep 10 min covered, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Oil of oregano: 200–600mg carvacrol daily for infections — potent antimicrobial. Must be enteric-coated (prevents GI irritation and destruction in stomach). Emulsified form better tolerated. Short courses (2–4 weeks) for infections. Culinary amounts safe long-term. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Therapeutic doses in pregnancy — avoid (emmenagogue). Carvacrol may affect iron absorption. Caution with anticoagulants. Essential oil: do not apply undiluted (strong irritant).
Side Effects: GI irritation (non-enteric-coated oil). Skin burning (topical undiluted). Anticoagulant effect. Reduced iron absorption.