Origanum Oil

(Origanum vulgare)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A hardy, bushy, perennial herb up to 90 cms high with an erect hairy stem, dark green ovate leaves and pinky-purple flowers. A common garden plant with a strong aroma when the leaves are bruised.

DISTRIBUTION Native to Europe, now cultivated all over the world.

HERBAL / FOLK TRADITION This is the ‘true’ oregano of the herb garden, which also has a very ancient medical reputation. It has been used as a traditional remedy for digestive upsets, respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, coughs, etc), colds and ‘flu as well as inflammations of the mouth and throat.

In China it is also used to treat fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice and itchy skin conditions. The (diluted) oil has been used externally in herbal medicine for headaches, rheumatism, general aches and pains, and applied to stings and bites.

ACTIONS Analgesic, anthelmintic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, choleretic, cytophylactic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, fungicidal, parasiticide, rubefacient, stimulant, tonic.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by steam distillation from the dried flowering herb.

CHARACTERISTICS A pale yellow liquid (browning with age), with a warm, spicy-herbaceous, camphoraceous odour. It blends well with lavandin, oakmoss, pine, spike lavender, citronella, rosemary, camphor and cedarwood.

AROMATHERAPY / HOME USE None. ‘Should not be used on the skin at all.’

OTHER USES Used as a fragrance component in soaps, colognes and perfumes, especially men’s fragrances. Employed to some extent as a flavouring agent, mainly in meat products and pizzas.

Back to Essential Oils