Alternatives Medicine: Oregano: Health Benefits, Side Effects

By Dr. Mercola

Oregano is a wonderful herb, both to use in your cooking and to use therapeutically as needed. Its name means "mountain joy," and oregano was revered as a symbol of happiness by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

This is why drawings often depict brides and grooms of the time crowned with a laurel of oregano, which was a widespread tradition.1 Although oregano is popular in Mediterranean cuisine, in the US, it's often associated primarily with a pizza spice.

This does this medicinal herb a great disservice, since today we know that oregano contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin B6, calcium, and potassium. Additionally, oregano, which is sometimes called "wild marjoram" in Europe (and is closely related to the herb sweet marjoram2) contains potent phytochemicals that provide potential health benefits.

The Top 5 Health Benefits of Oregano

1. Antioxidants for Immune System Support

One active agent in oregano is rosmarinic acid, which is a strong antioxidant that may support immune system health. Oregano has one of the highest antioxidant activity ratings, with 42 times the antioxidant punch of apples. According to one study:3

"…intake of herbs [including oregano] may…contribute significantly to the total intake of plant antioxidants, and be an even better source of dietary antioxidants than many other food groups such as fruits, berries, cereals, and vegetables."

2. Antifungal, Antibacterial, and May Even Kill MRSA

Carvacol and thymol, two phytochemicals in oregano, are powerful antimicrobials. Research has shown essential oils from oregano may kill the foodborne pathogen Listeria4 and the superbug MRSA (making it a useful addition to hand soaps and disinfectants).5 According to one of the researchers involved in the MRSA study:6

"We have done a few preliminary tests and have found that the essential oil from the oregano kills MRSA at a dilution 1 to 1,000. The tests show that the oil kills MRSA both as a liquid and as a vapor and its antimicrobial activity is not diminished by heating in boiling water."

Studies have also found essential oils of oregano to be useful against certain Candida species.7

3. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Oregano contains beta-caryophyllin (E-BCP), a substance that inhibits inflammation and may also be beneficial for conditions including osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis,8 as well as metabolic syndrome.9

4. Useful for Upper Respiratory Infections

Oregano also has potential anti-viral activity, and a spray containing aromatic essential oils from five plants, including oregano, was found to significantly relieve symptoms "immediately" in those with upper respiratory infections.10

If you come down with a cold or the flu, oregano oil can also be useful. Generally, the higher the carvacrol concentration, the more effective it is. Interestingly, oregano encourages sweat production as a mode of detox, and ingesting it may help your body to get rid of unwanted phlegm in your lungs.

5. Cancer-Fighting Effects

Oregano extract has been shown to "lead to growth arrest and cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner" in colon cancer cells.11 A phytochemical in oregano, carnosol, has also been "evaluated for anti-cancer property in prostate, breast, skin, leukemia, and colon cancer with promising results."12

In the chart below, you can browse through 15 additional conditions that oregano may be useful for13…and then learn even more about oregano's many healthy properties by reading "What is Oregano Good For?"