Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Updated 29 January 2024

Botanical characteristics

  • Kingdom: Plantae 
  • Division: Magnoliophyta 
  • Class: Magnoliopsida 
  • Order: Lamiales 
  • Family: Lamiaceae 
  • Genus: Origanum
  • Part used: Flowering tops, leaves
  • Country of origin: Europe, Middle East, North America

Precautions for use

Caution! Oregano essential oil is one of the strongest essential oils and is generally reserved for adults and adolescents and should be used with caution.

However, on medical advice, it can sometimes be used on children.

It contains fewer allergenic compounds than Spanish oregano and is therefore more suitable for people with allergies.

Other precautions

Warning:

  • People with asthma or epilepsy should seek medical advice before using this essential oil.
  • In fact, oregano essential oil has an epileptogenic risk in high doses.

Cutaneous use:

  • Oregano essential oil should be diluted to 15% for use on the skin (15% essential oil to 85% vegetable oil).
  • Infants over three months of age and children may use a diluted skin application under medical supervision.

Ingestion:

  • Taking oregano essential oil orally is only available on prescription.
  • This essential oil is exciting in high doses.

Diffusion:

  • Oregano essential oil should not be diffused pure, but diluted between 5 and 10% in other essential oils.
  • Pregnant women over three months can use this essential oil in air diffusion.

Allergenic components:

Oregano essential oil contains few allergenic biochemical components:

  • Linalool (≤ 2%)
  • Limonene (≤ 1%)

Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).

Authorised users

 Adults and adolescents

Children under 6 years

 Pregnant and breastfeeding women

 Pregnant women younger than 3 months

Infants under 3 years old

How to use

 Inhalation

 Cutaneous

  Oral

 Diffusion

Risks of use

 Cortisone-like

 Skin irritation
 Pure dermocautic
 Respiratory irritant
 Hepatotoxic

 Properties​

  • Broad-spectrum anti-infective: powerful antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic activity 
  • Immunostimulant
  • General tonic

Indications

Infections of all types, serious infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and digestive tract 

Directions for use/usual dosage

  • For parasitic infections of the digestive tract, 1 drop orally 5 times a day on a suitable carrier.
  • For respiratory infections, in capsules orally, as a topical supplement with other essential oils.
  • For mycoses of the skin, topically, mixed with other essential oils, diluted in a vegetable oil.
  • For asthenia, diffuse 2 or 3 times a day in combination with other milder essential oils.