Description
Oregano essential oil is steam distilled from the dried flowering herb Origanum vulgare, a aromatic perennial native to the Mediterranean and central Asia, now cultivated worldwide. Oregano has been used as a culinary herb and traditional remedy for thousands of years, and its essential oil is one of the most studied in terms of antimicrobial properties.
Oregano essential oil has a warm, herbaceous, spicy, and slightly camphoraceous aroma. The dominant constituents are carvacrol and thymol, phenolic compounds that typically account for 60 to 85% of the oil. These compounds are responsible for both the characteristic pungent, savoury-herbal scent and the strong antimicrobial activity that has made oregano oil well-known in natural health circles. The percentage of carvacrol varies significantly depending on the variety and origin of the plant.
In aromatherapy, oregano essential oil is used in diffuser blends and steam inhalation preparations, particularly during the winter months. Its high phenol content means it should be used at very low concentrations, and it is considered a “hot” oil with significant potential for skin irritation. It blends well with lavender, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, and basil essential oils.
Oregano essential oil is one of the more potent essential oils and should be used with significant care. Maximum skin dilution of 1% is recommended. Avoid use on children or during pregnancy. This 10ml bottle is for external use in diffusers and heavily diluted blends only. Not for internal use.
