Information obtained from Godofredo U. Stuart Jr. M.D. (StuartXchange)
Common Name/s: Oregano Scientific Name: Origanum vulgare
Origanum vulgare,commonly known as oregano, is a bushy, rhizomatous perennial with woody branches. It typically grows1-3feet tall and 2feet wide, featuring square stems with aromatic, glandular-spotted, rounded to ovate leaves up to 1.5 inches long. The leaves are usually entire but may have slightly toothed margins. In summer, tiny, two-lipped, pinkish-purple or white flowers characteristic of the mint family bloom. These flowers, each with four protruding stamens and leafy, purple-toned bracts, appear in axillary or terminal corymb-likespikelets that riseabove the foliage.
Kingdom: Plantae
Sub kingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Origanum
Species: Origanumvulgare
-Aromatic
-Carminative
-Emmenagogue
-Diaphoretic
-Tonic
-Stimulant
-Antioxidant
-Anticlastogenic
-Radioprotective
-Antimicrobial
-Mastcellstabilizing
-Antiasthma
-Pulmoprotective
-Anti-inflammatory
-Insecticidal
-Anti-termite
-Anthelmintic
-Galactaogue
-Antineoplastic
-Diuretic
-Woundhealing
-Analgesic
-Mosquitolarvicidal
-Antimalarial
-Antiurolithiatic
-Hepatoprotective
-Neuroprotective
Native to thewarm-temperate regions of Western and Southern Eurasia and Mediterranean.
PhytochemicalConstituents:
-Carvacrol
-Thymol
-Limonene
-Pinene
-Ocimene
-Caryophyllene
Pharmaceutical Uses:
-Intraditional medicine, it has been used for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, cough.
-Natural Antibiotic: Oregano oil is utilized as a natural antibiotic because of its strong antibacterial characteristics. It is administered internally(typically diluted with a carrier oil) or applied topically to combat bacterial infections.
-Treating Parasitic Infections: Oregano oil can be used to treat intestinal parasites and associated symptoms including diarrhea and stomach pain. It is administered as a supplement for several weeks to eliminate parasites.
-Improving Cholesterol levels: Oregano oil supplements can enhance cholesterol levels by boosting HDL (good)and lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. It is taken orally as part of a heart-healthy diet.-Food preservative: Adding oregano oil to food products, such as eggplant salad and apple juice, can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, reducing the risk of foodborne illness.
-Antibacterial use: Oregano oil contains antibacterial properties and may be useful against some drug-resistant forms of bacteria. This applies to any bacterial infections that may be caused or developing in your dry socket. The oregano oil can be used straight to the affected area, or apply it to sterile gauze and place it over the dry socket multiple times per day.
Pharmacological Uses:
-Antioxidant Properties:
Oregano essential oil contains powerful antioxidants that aid in the scavenging of free radicals and the protection of cells from oxidative stress. This is largely due to the high amount of phenolic chemicals.
-Anti-inflammatory Effects:
It has been discovered that oregano oil lowers pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the body and modifies inflammatory pathways to lessen inflammation.
-Anticancer Properties:
By causing cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death, and by preventing tumor growth and metastasis, oregano oil demonstrates anticancer properties. This is explained by its bioactive ingredients, which include thymol and carvacrol.