Oregano is a culinary herb native to regions of the Mediterranean and Asia. Its oil is thought to have medicinal properties and is extracted for sale as an herbal medicine. Although oregano oil is claimed to have many health benefits, there is limited clinical evidence that would indicate a proper dosage. Oregano oil is thought to be a safe product with no major health risks other than allergic reactions.
Digestive Benefits
Oregano has been used traditionally in Morocco to treat indigestion, cramping and diarrhea. There is limited clinical evidence that would indicate its effectiveness for humans; however, a study published in the 2010 "Journal of Medicinal Food" found that oregano oil improved digestive problems in rats by buffering their smooth muscle contractions. More research is needed to know how well oregano helps digestion in humans.
Antiseptic Benefits
Oregano oil has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times as an antiseptic because of its ability to inhibit the growth of fungus and bacteria. Low concentrations of its volatile oils have been used to ward off various strains of the bacteria. A scientific study published in the 2010 "Journal of Medicinal Food" describes how researchers used oregano oil to inhibit eight species of bacteria. Carvacrol and thymol thought to be the phenolic chemicals responsible for oregano oil's anti-fungal and antibacterial activities.
Antioxidant Benefits
Oregano oil has antioxidant activity similar to that of vitamin E. This is because the chemical structure of oregano's antioxidant chemicals helps them inhibit the free radicals that cause oxidation and the production of harmful byproducts. A research study published in the 2008 issue of the "African Journal of Biotechnology" confirmed the antioxidant strength of oregano oil using two different laboratory tests.
Dangers
There is limited clinical evidence to support the health benefits or dosage requirements of oregano oil. Although oregano has a "generally recognized as safe" status with the FDA when it is used as a food, information on the safety of oil extracts is limited. People who are allergic to oregano can get rashes when the oil is applied to their skin, and potentially have anaphylactic reactions or eczema when they eat large quantities. Although oregano oil is considered safe for most people, talk to your doctor before using it.
References
- Drugs.com: Oregano
- "Nutrition Today"; Oregano: Overview of the Literature on Health Benefits; Keith Singletary; May 2010
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; In Vitro Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Antispasmodic Activities and the Composition of the Essential Oil of Origanum acutidens (Hand.-Mazz.) Ietswaart; Ismihan Goze et al.; June 2010
- "African Journal of Biotechnology"; Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Origanum compactum Essential Oil; Bouhdid S. et al.; May 2008
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Characterization of the Volatile Composition of Essential Oils of Some Lamiaceae Spices and the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of the Entire Oils; Biljana Bozin et al.; February 2006
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