Oregano at a Glance:

Botanical name: Origanum vulgare

Native range: Mediterranean

Traditional systems: Western Herbalism, TCM (modern use), Ayurveda (modern use)

Primary actions: Warming, drying, antimicrobial, digestive support

Cautions: Stronger in oil form, not recommended in pregnancy, potential interactions with medications

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is the most common species of oregano. Its name means “joy of the mountain.” In this article we will look at Oregano through three lenses, Western Herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Ayurvedic Medicine.

Important Note: Culinary oregano is safe for most people. Concentrated forms like oregano oil are powerful and should only be used with care, short-term, and ideally under guidance.

Oregano is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region, including southern Europe and western and southwestern Asia. It is widespread through Europe and Asia and has been naturalized in other parts of the world, including North America. Its ability to survive in a variety of ecosystems makes it a plant of least concern regarding conservation status.

However, regardless of it being a plant of least concern for conservation, sustainable harvesting practices are still important.

Sustainable Practices*: Indigenous communities and responsible foragers have long-standing traditions of ethical harvesting. These practices often involve:

Selective Harvesting: Only taking a portion of the plant (e.g., leaving a fair amount of leaves and not breaking off entire branches) to allow it to regenerate.
Rotation: Harvesting from different areas each year to give plants time to recover.
Pruning, Not Raking: Using scissors or sharp shears to cut stems just above a leaf node, which actually promotes bushier, healthier growth.
Leaving “Grandmothers”: Not harvesting the oldest and largest plants, which are the most successful and have the strongest genes for reproduction.
Leaving Flowers: Allowing some plants to flower to ensure they can produce seeds and support local pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Oregano in Western Herbalism

In Western Herbalism oregano is seen as warming, pungent, and aromatic with a wide range of applications. Oregano’s medicinal properties can be attributed to the volatile oils present in its leaves. In particular carvacrol and thymol have been studied for the potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Primary Medicinal Actions

In Western herbalism, oregano is recognized for the following primary medicinal actions:

Antimicrobial/Antiseptic: The high concentration of carvacrol and thymol gives oregano antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It is often used to combat various infections.
Carminative: Oregano is an excellent digestive aid. Its warming and antispasmodic properties help to relieve gas, bloating, and cramping.
Expectorant: Oregano’s pungent nature helps to thin mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tract, making it a valuable remedy for coughs, bronchitis, and other chest congestion.
Diaphoretic: It promotes sweating, which can be useful for breaking a fever and helping the body to “sweat out” a cold or flu.
Antispasmodic: It helps to relax smooth muscles, which is beneficial for relieving cramps in the digestive and respiratory systems.
Emmenagogue: In traditional use, it was sometimes used to stimulate or regulate menstrual flow.

Influenced Body Systems

Oregano primarily influences the following body systems:

Respiratory System: It is used to address a variety of respiratory issues, from common colds and coughs to more persistent conditions like bronchitis and asthma, by acting as both an expectorant and an antispasmodic.
Digestive System: Oregano is a powerful aid for the digestive tract. It helps to settle an upset stomach, alleviate gas and indigestion, and, in more concentrated forms like oil of oregano, has been used to address intestinal parasites and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Immune System: By acting as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, oregano supports the body’s natural immune response, helping it to fight off pathogens and prevent infections.
Integumentary System (Skin): Topically, oregano has been used as a rubefacient (to increase blood flow to the skin) and for its antiseptic properties to treat infected wounds, sores, and muscle aches.

Oregano in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) analyzes herbs based on their energetic properties, which include their nature (temperature), flavor, and the specific meridians and organs they influence.

Oregano is not a classical herb found in the TCM materia medica. Interestingly, due to its potent properties it has been integrated into modern TCM practice and analyzed accordingly. These associations are modern extrapolations, not part of classical TCM texts.

TCM Properties of Oregano

Based on this modern classification, oregano (Origanum vulgare) is generally considered to have the following properties:

Nature (Temperature): Warm (Wēn 温). This is a crucial property, as it indicates the herb’s ability to warm the body and move Qi and Blood. A warming nature is typical of aromatic, pungent herbs.
Flavor: Pungent/Acrid (Xīn 辛) and Bitter (Kǔ 苦).

Pungent: This flavor is associated with an outward, dispersing, and moving action. It helps to move stagnant Qi and Blood and is often used to release the exterior (e.g., in the case of a cold).
Bitter: This flavor is associated with draining and drying actions. It helps to clear Heat, drain Dampness, and move stools.

Meridians and Organs Entered

Based on its nature and flavor, oregano is said to enter the following meridians and organs:

Spleen (Pí 脾): The Spleen governs the transformation and transportation of food and fluids, and its health is essential for digestion. Oregano’s carminative and warming properties help the Spleen function more effectively, aiding in digestion and relieving dampness.
Heart (Xīn 心): While less direct, its influence on the Heart meridian may be related to its ability to clear heat and its aromatic nature, which can have a calming effect.
Kidney (Shèn 肾): The Kidney system, which governs water metabolism and the body’s fundamental energy (Jing), may be influenced by oregano’s ability to help resolve dampness.
Liver (Gān 肝): Oregano’s pungent flavor and Qi-moving properties help to soothe Liver Qi stagnation, which can manifest as digestive issues, irritability, and other symptoms.
Urinary Bladder (Páng Guāng 膀胱): Its ability to clear damp-heat and its diuretic properties relate to the functions of the Urinary Bladder meridian.

Traditional Functions (TCM-style) and Applications

Within the TCM framework, the functions of oregano align with its Western herbal uses but are described in a different vocabulary:

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity (Qīng Rè Jiě Dú 清热解毒): This is a key function, especially in the context of infections. The bitter flavor and antimicrobial properties of oregano are used to clear “heat-toxin” which can manifest as fevers, infections, and inflammation.
Dispels Wind-Heat (Qū Fēng Rè 祛风热): Its pungent and dispersing nature makes it effective for expelling pathogenic factors like “Wind-Heat,” which are associated with the common cold and flu, characterized by fever, sore throat, and headaches.
Transforms Dampness and Harmonizes the Middle Jiao (Huà Shī Hé Zhōng Jiāo 化湿和中焦): This function relates to its digestive benefits. The herb’s bitter and warm nature helps to dry up dampness in the digestive system (“Middle Jiao”) and relieve symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal distention.
Expels Parasites (Shā Chóng 杀虫): This function is directly related to its potent antimicrobial properties. It is used to kill and expel intestinal parasites.

Oregano in Ayurvedic Medicine

Similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine, oregano is not a traditional Ayurvedic herb. But just as TCM has adopted this herb into modern practice, so has Ayurveda. This classification is a modern adaptation; oregano is not in traditional Ayurvedic texts, so best presented from a contemporary Ayurvedic perspective.

Ayurvedic Properties of Oregano

From an Ayurvedic perspective, oregano (Origanum vulgare) is categorized as follows:

Rasa (Taste): Pungent (Katu) and Bitter (Tikta).

Pungent: This taste is characterized by a “hot” or spicy flavor. It is heating, penetrating, and stimulates digestion, circulation, and metabolism. It helps to clear blockages and reduce excess Kapha.
Bitter: This taste is cooling and drying. It is known for its detoxifying, purifying, and antimicrobial actions. It helps to clear toxins from the body and pacify Pitta and Kapha.

Virya (Potency/Energy): Heating (Ushna). This refers to the herb’s primary energetic effect on the body. Oregano’s pungent taste and volatile oils make it distinctly heating. It stimulates the body’s agni (digestive fire), warms the system, and promotes sweating.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect): Pungent (Katu). This is the final effect of the herb on the body after digestion. The pungent vipaka indicates that the herb will have a stimulating and drying effect on the tissues and that it will increase Vata and Pitta while reducing Kapha.

Impact on the Doshas

Based on its properties, oregano has a clear impact on the three doshas:

Vata (Air & Ether): Oregano’s heating and pungent qualities can aggravate Vata if used in excess or for prolonged periods, especially in a Vata-predominant individual. The pungent and dry nature can increase dryness, leading to symptoms like gas, constipation, anxiety, or restlessness. For Vata-related digestive issues like bloating or indigestion from cold, damp food, a small amount of oregano can be helpful due to its warming and carminative effects.
Pitta (Fire & Water): The heating (Ushna Virya) and pungent (Katu Rasa) nature of oregano can increase Pitta. Therefore, it should be used with caution in individuals with a Pitta constitution or those with high Pitta imbalances, such as inflammation, hyperacidity, acid reflux, or skin rashes. Excessive use can lead to “hot” conditions.
Kapha (Earth & Water): Oregano is an excellent herb for balancing Kapha. Its pungent and bitter tastes and heating energy are perfect for counteracting the cold, heavy, and moist qualities of Kapha. It helps to:

Dry up excess mucus and congestion in the lungs and sinuses.
Stimulate sluggish digestion and metabolism.
Reduce water retention and heaviness.
Clear Ama (toxins) from the body.

Traditional Applications in Ayurveda

In modern Ayurvedic practice, oregano’s traditional uses align with its energetic properties. It is often used for:

Respiratory Conditions: Due to its ability to pacify Kapha, it’s used for coughs, colds, flu, and asthma characterized by a buildup of phlegm. A tea or decoction is often recommended to help clear congestion and promote expectoration.
Digestive Issues: As a powerful carminative, it is used to stimulate digestion, relieve gas, bloating, and poor appetite, especially when caused by a slow digestive fire (Mandagni).
Infections and Parasites: The bitter and pungent qualities are used to destroy and expel parasites and worms. It’s also applied for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties to combat various infections.
Topical Uses: A paste or oil infusion is used externally for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to treat swellings, joint pain (due to Kapha-Vata imbalances), and skin infections.
Female Reproductive Health: The herb’s warming and downward-moving energy can be used to promote and regulate menstruation, particularly in cases of dysmenorrhea (painful periods) caused by stagnation of Vata or Kapha.

Oregano Across Three Herbal Paradigms

Western herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Ayurveda may use different frameworks and terminologies, but they arrive at remarkably similar conclusions regarding oregano’s fundamental properties and applications.

The core commonality across all three systems is that oregano is a warming, drying, and pungent herb with strong antimicrobial effects. The differences lie in how each system explains why the herb has these effects and what specific imbalances it addresses.

Warming and Pungent: All three systems identify oregano as a warming herb with a pungent flavor. This commonality is fundamental. In Western herbalism, this translates to its ability to stimulate circulation and “heat up” the body to fight off cold pathogens. In TCM, it’s a “Warm” herb that “disperses” and “moves” stagnant Qi. In Ayurveda, its Ushna Virya and Katu Rasa are used to kindle the digestive fire (Agni) and combat the cold, heavy qualities of Kapha.

Antimicrobial Action: The potent antimicrobial effect of oregano is a central theme across all three traditions. Western herbalism directly attributes this to its chemical constituents. TCM describes this as its ability to “Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity,” which is the energetic equivalent of fighting infection and inflammation. Ayurveda explains it as an ability to “destroy parasites” and clear Ama (undigested material or toxins) from the system.

Drying and Expectorant Properties: The herb’s ability to dry up mucus and phlegm is recognized by each system. Western herbalism calls this an expectorant action. In TCM, it “transforms Dampness” and helps to dispel phlegm, which is seen as a pathological form of Dampness. Ayurveda’s analysis is similar, stating that oregano’s heating and drying qualities are ideal for balancing the moist, heavy qualities of Kapha, thereby clearing congestion from the respiratory and digestive tracts.

Holistic vs. Physiological View: The primary difference lies in the underlying framework. Western herbalism often focuses on the direct physiological effect, using terms like “antimicrobial” and “antispasmodic.” In contrast, both TCM and Ayurveda use an energetic and holistic framework, linking the herb’s properties to its effect on the body’s fundamental energies (Qi, Yin/Yang, and the doshas) and their corresponding organ systems or meridians.

Western Herbalism

Warming/Heating (from volatile oils)
Pungent, Aromatic
Antimicrobial, Carminative, Expectorant, Diaphoretic, Antispasmodic. Its actions are tied to specific constituents like carvacrol and thymol.
Respiratory, Digestive, Immune. The focus is on the physiological function of the organ systems.
Conditions of “coldness” and infection, such as colds, flu, bronchitis, coughs with mucus, indigestion, and intestinal infections.

TCM

Warm (Wēn)
Pungent/Acrid (Xīn), Bitter (Kǔ)
Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity, Dispels Wind-Heat, Transforms Dampness, Moves Qi. Its actions are tied to its ability to clear pathogenic factors and move energy.
Spleen, Liver, Urinary Bladder, Heart. The focus is on clearing energetic blockages in these meridians.
Conditions of “Dampness” and “Heat-Toxin,” such as phlegm in the lungs, dysentery, fevers, and parasitic infections.

Ayurveda

Heating (Ushna)
Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
Pacifies Kapha, Stimulates Agni (digestive fire), Dries up Ama (toxins). Its actions are tied to its effect on the doshas and metabolism.
Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). The focus is on balancing the elemental energies of the body.
Conditions of “Kapha imbalance,” such as sluggish metabolism, weight gain, congestion, and poor digestion. Used with caution for high Vata or Pitta conditions.

Oregano a Deeper Look

We’d be remiss to only look at oregano through the lens of herbalism and neglect what scientific literature has to say. The studies on oregano aim to look at how it works in the body, its effectiveness in a broad range of applications and its safety.

Phytochemical Composition and Mechanism of Action

The medicinal properties of oregano, especially Origanum vulgare, are primarily attributed to its phytochemical compounds, which fall into two main categories: volatile (essential oils) and non-volatile phenolics.

Volatile Compounds: The essential oil is the most potent part of the plant, with its primary active compounds being carvacrol and thymol. These two phenolic monoterpenes can constitute up to 90% of the oil’s composition. Other significant volatile compounds include p-cymene, γ-terpinene, and various monoterpenoids.

Mechanism of Action: The powerful antimicrobial effects of carvacrol and thymol are believed to work by disrupting the cell membranes of bacteria and fungi. They increase the permeability of the membrane, leading to the leakage of vital intracellular components and ultimately causing cell death. They have also been shown to inhibit biofilm formation and efflux pumps, which can boost their antimicrobial activity and help combat antibiotic-resistant strains.

Non-Volatile Compounds: The dried leaves and extracts also contain significant non-volatile compounds, including:

Phenolic acids: Rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, and caffeic acid.
Flavonoids: Apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and chrysoeriol.
Terpenoids: β-caryophyllene.
Mechanism of Action: These compounds are primarily responsible for oregano’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They combat oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals, which is linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases. They can also inhibit inflammatory markers in the body.

Scientifically Studied Benefits

Potent Antimicrobial and Antioxidant: A large body of in-vitro and animal studies has confirmed oregano’s powerful antimicrobial effects against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. It is also a rich source of antioxidants.
Anti-inflammatory: Animal studies have shown that oregano, particularly its compound carvacrol, can significantly reduce inflammation.
Intestinal Parasite Treatment: Some human clinical research, while limited, suggests that taking oil of oregano for a period of several weeks can be effective in killing intestinal parasites like Blastocystis hominis.
Cholesterol Management: Some preliminary clinical research indicates that taking oregano after meals may help to reduce “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and increase “good” (HDL) cholesterol.
Potential Antidiabetic Effects: Some in-vitro and animal studies have shown that oregano extracts may help lower blood sugar levels by improving glucose uptake and inhibiting certain enzymes.
Other Areas of Research: Preliminary studies are exploring oregano’s potential benefits for fighting viruses (e.g., norovirus), reducing stress and anxiety, and even its cytotoxic effects against some cancer cells. However, these findings are largely from test-tube and animal studies and require much more research to confirm their effectiveness in humans.

Side Effects, Contraindications, and Potential Drug Interactions

While dried oregano used in cooking is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, using concentrated forms like oil of oregano is completely different and requires caution.

Side Effects: High doses of oregano oil can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and gastric distress. Topical application, especially of undiluted oil, can cause skin irritation or rashes.

Contraindications:

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Oregano oil is traditionally avoided in pregnancy due to its stimulating effect on the uterus. Safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
Allergies: Individuals with allergies to other plants in the Lamiaceae (mint) family, such as basil, mint, sage, thyme, and marjoram, may also have an allergic reaction to oregano.
Before Surgery: Due to its potential to slow blood clotting, it is often recommended to stop using medicinal doses of oregano at least two weeks before any scheduled surgical procedures.

Potential Drug Interactions:

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs (Blood Thinners): Oregano might slow blood clotting. Taking it with blood-thinning medications like warfarin or aspirin could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Antidiabetes Drugs: Oregano may lower blood sugar levels. Combining it with diabetes medications could cause blood sugar to drop too low, a condition known as hypoglycemia.
Lithium: Some sources suggest that oregano may have diuretic effects, which could affect lithium levels in the body, potentially leading to toxicity.
Other Medications: Recent research suggests that oregano supplements may activate enzymes (like CYP3A4 and CYP1A2) that are responsible for metabolizing many pharmaceutical drugs, similar to St. John’s Wort. This means oregano could potentially alter the effectiveness or side effects of a wide range of medications. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before using oregano as a supplement, especially if you are on other medications.

In conclusion, oregano has a proven track record across three traditional practices of herbalism and the scientific community. It’s wide range of actions and benefits make it a key herb to have in your home apothecary or medicine cabinet and a worthwhile addition to any herb garden.

Oregano is a powerful ally when used wisely. Whether you enjoy it daily as a culinary herb, or explore its more concentrated forms, the key is respect: respect for tradition, for the plant itself, and for your own body’s needs.

*Wholly Holistic is proud to partner with suppliers who practice sustainable harvesting.

Consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.