Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Labiatae Family (Lamiaceae)

Oregano is one of those essential oils a lot of people immediately think of as being an anti-microbe powerhouse and they are right.

This oils is steam distilled from semi dried flowering plants in the South of France.

There is some confusion about this plant, along with Wild Marjoram, Spanish Marjoram, Spanish Oregano, etc. For a good read on this, please look at Salvatore Battaglia’s The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.

As I like to find an appropriate poem for each essential oil, oregano is a notable standout in the poetry it creates. We can see it’s cleaning and drawing-out-of-toxins here. You’ll see what I mean.

Oregano

Poem by Myke Leas

Oregano draws out infection, my heart draws out your lies.
There's not a chance in this whole world, you'll move your 'truths' past my eyes.
I'm watching, waiting, every heart beat. You're lying, staying, so incomplete.
If I told you I loved you; would you lie to my face? In movies and televisions would you accept your disgrace?
If I tell you the rabbit hole is never 'too deep.' Would I swim through a fountain to lie by your feet?
I'll always look for the beauty in your eyes. I'll always see it. Despite your disguise.
A clouded breath drawn in. To clear the hot air. Not so necessarily...missing you there. Knowing my knowledge, knowing what I knew.
I wasn't surprised at the things that you do.
You're fearing, tearing, at every heart beat, I'm trying, accepting, your every lie sweet.
My heart told you, how much it cared; you had been falsely stating of what you were aware.
When I let you use me and throw me out, I hope I accomplished what I had set out. I get to be proud of what I have TRIED, every time you failed, cheated and lied. A piece of me died, I take some blame...My fantasy turned into reality and wasn't the same.
My dreams were lies, you've won your game.
Advantage taken of unconditional love. Deceit it was warm and fit like a glove. I couldn't move, doomed to watch you spiral. I'm strong enough to take it, I can stomach your bile.

You're not missed as much as I would have expected, you had my whole heart effortlessly rejected. What did you ever do that was so good for me, that I gave you something so precious; so easily? From the leaves of oregano you were drawn out. My infection subsided and i'm better with out...

Arctander describes oregano as

An orange-amber, pale to yellow-orange colored, mobile liquid of strong, fresh, slightly sweet-spicy, aromatic, but predominantly eucalyptus-like, camphoraceous odor. It’s flavor is warm, slightly burning. bitter-sweet, occasionally with a cool, aromatic medicinal aftertaste.

Other than this, Arctander has very little to say about Oregano as he says it’s not of particular interest in perfumery!

Battaglia says

There are many pharmacology and clinical studies cited including

Analgesic activity

Anti-bacterial activity

Anti-fungal activity

Anti-viral activity

Insecticidal activity

In clinical aromatherapy, he quotes Dr Schnaubelt as saying to combat bacterial infections, oregano is aromatherapy’s heavy artillery.

Oregano oil is a strong dermal irritant and not recommended at all for either the bath or on the skin.

I highly recommend reading Battaglia’s The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy for its references on oregano.

Safety Warning

As with most essential oils, dilute before using on skin. Perform a patch test before use if essential oil sensitivity is suspected. Do not take essential oils internally. Do not use on children or pets. Seek advice from a trained aromatherapist before using on people with compromised immune systems. Keep away from eyes and mucus membranes.
Enfleurage makes no medical claims relating to any products, essential oils or otherwise, on our website or through social media. We are an essential oil company, not doctors, The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. We present our information in order to educate our customers on traditional and general uses of essential oils; in no way do we diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or condition.
You the customer are responsible for understanding the safe use of any and all of our products, including essential oils, and use them accordingly.