Oregano: More Than a Flavour – A Natural Healer

When we first came to Leeming Garth Manor, I noticed a raised bed filled with what I assumed were weeds. So, I set about weeding—removing this low-growing plant that seemed to be spreading. But as I pulled and extracted the plant, a wonderful aroma wafted up… as if the plant was pleading, “Save me!” The smell was familiar, but I couldn't quite place it.

Then I tasted the leaves.

Oregano!

I paused and smiled, thinking, Wow—what a blessing to have this plant growing here in abundance. What I had thought were weeds turned out to be one of nature’s finest healers, right outside our door.

Origanum vulgare emerging in late winter — despite its scrabbly appearance, this hardy perennial holds its ground, offering a hint of vitality and medicinal promise even in February.

Also known as Origanum or Wild Marjoram, oregano is a hardy perennial herb that reaches up to one metre in height. With its attractive white to purplish flowers and showy bracts in summer, this familiar kitchen staple has a surprising medicinal pedigree. The leaves—ranging from green to grey-green, either hairy or smooth—hold remarkable therapeutic potential.

A Potent Herbal Ally

The most therapeutically active variety of oregano is believed to be Origanum vulgare, commonly used in both traditional remedies and culinary dishes. Loose dried oregano leaf is a well-known seasoning, readily available in supermarkets. But beyond its aromatic appeal, oregano and its essential oil boast a variety of health-enhancing properties.

Health Benefits of Oregano Leaf

Research and tradition suggest oregano may offer the following benefits:

• Indigestion relief

• Antioxidant support – thanks largely to its high content of rosmarinic acid, a powerful antioxidant compound

• Anti-cancer potential – particularly in relation to colon cancer

• Antibacterial properties – especially against Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium linked to stomach ulcers

• Anti-ageing effects – through inhibition of protein cross-linking in the body

Examining the young, tender leaves of oregano — soft to the touch and rich with essential oils, these early shoots signal the quiet return of growth and potency.

Oregano Oil: Distilled Potency

Oregano oil is made through steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops of Origanum vulgare and Origanum heracleoticum. Among these, Origanum vulgare is considered superior due to its higher concentrations of the two key active ingredients: carvacrol and thymol.

This aromatic oil is a powerhouse of natural defence. Taken internally or applied externally, oregano oil has demonstrated the ability to:

• Alleviate allergies

• Fight bacterial and viral infections

• Aid recovery from the common cold

• Inhibit or destroy various fungi and yeasts, including Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans

• Combat intestinal parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba species

• Support lymphatic flow, enhancing the body’s detoxification process

• Disintegrate viral membranes, weakening some types of viruses

A daily dose of 600 mg of oregano oil has even been shown to assist in clearing intestinal parasites.[1]

Once humble, now heroic — oregano oil became a firm favourite among natural health enthusiasts during the COVID-19 pandemic, valued both as a supportive treatment and a powerful prophylactic.

Oregano Oil & Respiratory Support

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many turned to natural remedies for immune and respiratory support—and oregano oil emerged as a popular choice. Its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties made it a supportive adjunct in managing respiratory symptoms.

Oregano oil may help to:

• Open the airways

• Reduce mucus

• Soothe inflamed respiratory tissues

• Combat viral load due to its membrane-disrupting effects on certain viruses

Oregano in its May glory — lush, aromatic, and thriving. A vibrant reminder of nature’s abundance and the healing power growing just outside our door

In Summary

Isn’t it wonderful when something so simple—like a fragrant little herb—turns out to be a treasure trove of healing potential?

Whether you’re stirring dried oregano into your midday soup, sipping a warm infusion in the morning, or carefully incorporating its oil into your natural remedy toolkit, oregano invites you to experience its power. It’s not just a flavour—it’s a functional food with the capacity to heal, support, and strengthen the body.

Next time you see this modest plant, take a moment to crush a leaf between your fingers and breathe in deeply. You might just smile, as I did, and think:“What a blessing to have this growing in abundance.”

References

[1] Green Medicine Encylopedia SCIENCE-BASED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NUTRITION AND NATURAL MEDICINE; https://www.greenmedicineencyclopedia.com