What makes Oregano Essential Oil Beneficial?

We’ll explore the oil’s benefits below but first let’s explain why oregano essential oil is so beneficial.

The answer is in two of its compounds: carvacrol and thymol. These compounds – especially carvacrol – give oregano many of its therapeutic properties. When the herb is distilled into essential oil form, the compounds are concentrated and then significantly increase the therapeutic benefits available in the essential oil.

Carvacrol From Oregano Essential Oil and Benefits

It is carvacrol in particular that is responsible for many of oregano essential oil’s benefits. Oregano essential oil has a very high level of carvacrol (more than in most other herbs).

Benefits of carvacrol include its antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects and antibacterial properties.[1]

Benefits of Oregano Essential Oil

Let’s explore now some of the benefits of oregano essential oil.

Beneficial for Skin

Researchers have found that oregano contains the highest antioxidant content of any other herb,[2] thanks in part to its carvacrol content.

This means that you can really get your bang for your buck when including the essential oil in your skincare routine! The antioxidants are great for fighting free radicals that can cause premature aging and skin damage.

Indeed, at tofillo, when we feel like our skin needs some extra care, we like to make a face mask that includes a few drops of our Oregano Essential Oil, to revive our skin!

Beneficial for Infections and Wounds

Another great oregano essential oil benefit is its significant antibacterial properties.

Researchers have found that oregano essential oil can in fact prevent the growth of certain types of bacteria, including antibiotic resistant strains![3] Other studies have also shown the antibacterial properties of the oil.[4]

Not only this, but research has also shown that its antibacterial properties help to fight common fungal infections, like athlete’s foot and yeast infections.[5]

This means that oregano essential oil can be helpful in the treatment and healing of minor wounds and minor infections.

Beneficial for Inflammation

Research has shown that a key oregano essential oil benefit is its ability to help reduce inflammation.

It’s because of its carvacrol content that the essential oil of the herb can have these anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers have found that carvacrol was able to reduce external swelling in animals by up to 57%.[6]

And in a separate animal study, researchers found that using oregano essential oil and thyme essential oil (which also contains carvacrol), helped to reduce internal digestive inflammation too.[7]

Indeed, our team at tofillo has found that massaging in some diluted Oregano Essential Oil on a sore muscle or swollen area has certainly helped in the past!

What is the Difference Between Oregano Essential Oil and Oregano Oil?

While you’re researching oregano oils online, you will come across another kind of oregano oil – ‘Oil of Oregano’.

Oil of Oregano is extracted from the oregano plant in a different way to oregano essential oil, and because of the different process, Oil of Oregano is much less concentrated. As a result, although it has its own benefits, it doesn’t have the same potency in its therapeutic properties as oregano essential oil.

How to Use Oregano Essential Oil

Now we’ve explored oregano essential oil’s benefits, what about the ways you can use it to obtain those benefits? Here are a few ideas.

1. Oregano Essential Oil for Skincare

One crucial step when using oregano essential oil on the skin is to dilute it with a carrier oil, to avoid irritating your skin.

To make the diluted form of of the oil, we make the following suggestions:

• Find a neutral oil – like jojoba oil – to act as the carrier oil
• For use on the face, use 1 drop of the essential oil to 1 teaspoon of the carrier oil. Scale up the amount as needed, keeping the same ratio of ingredients
• For use on the body, use 2 drops of the essential oil to 1 teaspoon of the carrier oil

Using these instructions, you can include oregano essential oil in your cosmetic skincare, healing of minor wounds and wellbeing massages!

2. Oregano Essential Oil for Soap

If you prefer to take your time in the bath or shower, why not include a few drops of oregano essential oil when making your soap? And then take your time when applying the soap to really let the essential oil do its work…

3. Uses Oregano Essential Oil for Candles

Similarly, why not add in a few drops of the essential oil next time you’re making candles – you’ll get a lovely, earthy scent when you burn the candles and perhaps enjoy some of the oil’s anti-bacterial effects on your indoor air quality!

We hope you found our introduction to oregano essential oil’s benefits and uses helpful!

To learn more about essential oils generally, see our previous article all about them.

And if you’re interested in incorporating some oregano essential oil into your lifestyle, jump to our page for our Oregano Essential Oil where you can learn more about the product and place an order.

We hope you enjoy it!

[1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.6103

[2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/01/020108075158.htm

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23484421/

[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20021093/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4659158/

[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22892022/

[7] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18288268/

Greek oregano, which grows native to the country, differs from oregano species of neighbouring areas and is the form of oregano most widely used in the country.

Join us as we explore the character, benefits and uses of this most popular Greek herb…

What is Greek Οregano?

True Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) is considered the best in the world due to its distinctive and exceptional characteristics that occur not only in its wild state, but also when it is cultivated on Greek farmland. As a result, it is a variety of oregano that is particularly sought after. Various other types of oregano can be found in the Mediterranean region, such as Italian and Turkish, and globally there are even more varieties. All of these are species of the Labiatae family which includes other aromatic plants like mint, basil, thyme, rosemary and sage.

Greek oregano of course gets its name from its abundant presence in the Greek landscape. Compared to its Mediterranean cousins, Italian and Turkish oregano, it has a stronger flavour that is earthy, slightly spicy and aromatic, so it’s not typically interchangeable with other oregano varieties for recipes.

As you will see later in this article, its uses in cooking are virtually limitless!

Greek Oregano History

Did you know that in Greek mythology, oregano had a romantic beginning? According to myth, the Greek goddess Aphrodite – goddess of love and beauty – created and grew the herb in her garden on Mount Olympus. As the story goes, she made it a symbol of happiness and joy for the Greek people and so the ancient Greeks widely used the herb in wedding ceremonies and for good luck.

Indeed, the word oregano comes from two Greek words: “oros” meaning mountain, and “ganos” meaning joy. So oregano literally means ‘joy of the mountain’!

Oregano’s earliest known use dates back 4,000 years ago to Turkey. Some time later, the famous Greek physician Hippocrates was regularly prescribing it to his patients to relieve digestive issues and soothe respiratory illnesses. At this time, Ancient Greek and Roman culture had also embraced the use of oregano in cooking.

Later, in the middle-ages in Europe and China, the tradition of using oregano for medicinal purposes continued. People would use oregano therapeutically for conditions like rheumatism, toothache and fevers.

By the Elizabethan era, much of the superstition around oregano’s powers re-emerged. It was used to bring about happiness, health and good luck – to name just a few!

Oregano Benefits

We mentioned above how oregano has been used for therapeutic benefits throughout history, such as for digestive issues, rheumatism and bodily aches. The herb is still traditionally used for these kinds of issues today.[1]

Indeed, there are many benefits of this great herb! Here are just a few more…

1. Good for heart health and general health

We’ve seen in some other articles on chamomile tea and sage essential oil that antioxidants are abundant in many Greek herbs and flowers, and Greek oregano is no different. It contains a high level of antioxidants,[2] particularly a high level of the antioxidant thymol which has numerous health benefits.

The antioxidants in oregano are able to neutralise free radicals in our body. Free radicals can cause damage to functions of the body, including the heart. Because of oregano’s high level of antioxidants, it’s therefore a great herb for general health and wellbeing, including heart health. Here you will find our article on antioxidant properties of herbs.

So next time you’re making a heart-healthy meal, why not include some oregano? At tofillo we love to include our Dried Greek Oregano when making pasta for the whole family at the weekends!

2. Fights inflammation

We all know that inflammation is a big health concern in our modern times. It seems that a lot of our modern conveniences – fast food, transport, sedentary lifestyles – can all cause inflammation in the body.

Well did you know that oregano contains high levels of a compound called carvacrol which has been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties? In an animal study, researchers found that carvacrol reduced swelling in mice’s paws by up to 57%.[3] And in another animal study, researchers found that a mixture of oregano and thyme essential oils also reduced internal digestive inflammation in mice.[4]

So while research specific to human reactions still needs to be done, the science already shows support for the traditional practise of using oregano to fight inflammation.

3. Helps manage diabetes

Another epidemic that we face in the world today is diabetes. With the mass production of sweets and highly processed foods, increasing numbers of people around the world are developing type 2 diabetes.

Interestingly, in animal studies, oregano extract was shown to help improve insulin resistance and restore damaged liver and kidney tissue (which can cause diabetes).[5]

While we can’t say that the use of oregano alone will prevent or cure diabetes, the science shows that it can form at least part of an effective treatment plan for diabetes.

4. Antibacterial and antiviral properties

One big issue facing modern medicine today is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant diseases. Amazingly, researchers found that oregano’s antibacterial properties were able to significantly affect various bacteria that were not responding to other drugs.[6] Though more research needs to be done, this early research suggests that because of oregano’s antibacterial properties, it could be used to fight antibiotic-resistant diseases.

Oregano also has strong antiviral properties, because of its high content of thymol and carvacrol compounds. In particular, carvacrol has been shown to inactivate the norovirus (a virus that causes stomach flu) within one hour of treatment![7] Additionally, both thymol and carvacrol have been shown to inactivate 90% of the herpes simplex virus, also within one hour of treatment.[8]

Those were just a few great benefits of oregano. Now, you must be wondering – how can you use oregano to both enjoy the delicious taste and get those great benefits?

Well, here are some ideas…

How to use oregano

Oregano Seasoning

Oregano is used so widely in Greek cooking that if Greece had a national herb, it would be oregano!

Greek oregano has a warm and slightly sour and spicy taste, which can vary in intensity depending on the conditions it’s grown in. The herb gives an earthy, savoury flavour to various dishes, such as grilled meats and salads.

In fact, the flavour is even more pronounced when using the dried form of the herb – unlike most other herbs, it becomes more flavourful when it’s dried.

At tofillo we love to use our Dried Greek Oregano in many dishes, from a traditional preparation of Greek lamb to homemade pasta sauce, to grilling some Greek feta cheese with tomatoes.

Here are two more of our favourite and most traditional uses of oregano:

• Oregano on Pizza

You’ll often hear people refer to oregano as the ‘pizza herb’. That’s how popular it is to use with the tasty combination of dough, tomato sauce and melted cheese! We recommend using our Dried Greek Oregano for pizzas – it gives a stronger flavour that stands up well to the tomato sauce and cheese.

• Oregano on Greek Salad

Of course, as the taste of Greece, oregano is an essential part of the Greek salad. Combined with other traditional ingredients (cucumber, tomato, feta, olives and onion), oregano elevates the flavour of a Greek salad. It makes it taste earthy and robust and we find that the oregano works well with the onion to cut through the creaminess of the feta cheese. Delicious!

Oregano Tea

Aside from seasoning, another good use of oregano is as a herb for tea.

Oregano tea is a warm, earthy, and slightly spicy tea, so it’s perfect for when you want a nourishing drink. By drinking it, you can obtain some of the health benefits of oregano we’ve explored earlier in this article. What’s more, some of the traditional benefits of oregano tea also include things like: soothing muscle cramps and menstrual pain, soothing symptoms of common colds and preventing constipation and diarrhea.

Those were just a few facts for starting. To learn more, take a look at our article on oregano tea.

Oregano Essential Oil

Finally, another great way to benefit from oregano is through oregano essential oil.

Did you know that Greek oregano has the highest concentration of essential oregano oil, compared to any other oregano variety worldwide?

As you would expect, oregano essential oil provides a lot of the great benefits that we explored above. In particular, it has very strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. Research has shown that oregano essential oil can block the growth of certain infectious bacteria,[9] and also that because of the oil’s high thymol content, it can help treat common fungal infections like nail infections, athlete’s foot and yeast infections.[10]

So that was our walk-through some of the great benefits and uses of this powerful herb! As you’ve seen, oregano has been used over thousands of years for its great taste and health benefits!

If you’ve been inspired to include more Greek oregano in your cooking or tea, then head over to our Dried Greek Oregano product page in our online shop. We hope you enjoy it!

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874591/

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8933203/

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22892022/

[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18288268/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5242351/

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182053/

[7] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24779581/

[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22890541/

[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23484421/

[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4659158/

Greek Salad – Recipe

Ingredients for 2 servings:

Tomatoes: 3-6 ripe tomatoes, sliced

Cucumber: 2 large cucumbers, sliced

Onion: 1 spring onion, finely chopped

Kalamata olives: A few, depending on your preference

Feta: 150 g feta cheese, cut into square pieces.

Extra virgin olive oil: 4-6 tablespoons.

Seasoning blend for Greek Salad by tofillo : (Oregano, Thyme, Spearmint, Basil)

Execution of the Greek Salad recipe:

In a large bowl, add the tomatoes, cucumber and onion.

Add the Kalamata olives and mix gently.

Place the feta piec

es on top of the ingredients.

Scatter the herb mixture on top.

Add the extra virgin olive oil to bring out the flavors.

Gently toss the salad so that the ingredients are evenly combined, but be careful not to break the feta.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Greek salad is best served cold and fresh to fully experience the aromas and flavors it has to offer.

Enjoy!

Salad calories

In total, a serving of this Greek salad can have about 450 calories, depending on the exact quantities and the ingredients that were ultimately served.

Greek salad is full of natural ingredients that provide vitamins and nutrients. Apart from the calories, it is a dish that highlights the fresh and pure products of the Greek land.

5 Tips for the Greek Salad:

Both tomatoes and cucumbers are vegetables that should not be kept in the fridge. Keep at room temperature to get all the flavours and aromas.

For an authentic salad, choose ripe and tasty tomatoes.

In the salad, opt for quality feta cheese, which should be salty and firm.

If you want your salad to shine, use virgin olive oil and why not use an extra virgin olive oil for a dressing that will stand out.

To give the salad a livelier character, add a little lemon or vinegar to the dressing, which will bring out the flavours and add a fresh note.

Ingredients for the Briam:

• 2 eggplants cut into large pieces
• 2 pumpkins cut into large pieces
• 2 medium tomatoes cut into small pieces
• 2 dry onions cut into slices
• 2 cloves of garlic, medium sliced
• 2 potatoes cut into large slices
• 1 red pepper cut into large pieces
• 1 green pepper cut into large pieces
• 1/2 bunch of parsley finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of cooking mix for vegetables
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• ½ tsp. sugar
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Preparation of the recipe for Briam – Tourlou:

• Wash all the vegetables and chop them
• In a wide saucepan, heat half of the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic for 2′.
• Add the peppers, pumpkins, eggplants, potatoes and vegetable mixture. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the chopped tomatoes
• Add salt, pepper and sugar.
• Slowly cook for 20 minutes (without adding water).
• Finally, drizzle with the remaining olive oil
• Sprinkle with the chopped parsley
• Remove from the heat
• Cover the pot and let the food rest for 5 minutes, then serve.

Tips:

• Use fresh and seasonal vegetables for the best taste.
• The cooking mix for vegetables will add a special aromatic character to your dish.

Briam is more than just a vegetable dish. It is an experience that combines rich flavor, high nutritional value and simplicity in preparation. Pair it with feta cheese for an even more complete dining experience. Enjoy!

Gold Medal and a very special review made us happy and proud!

“Chopped oregano, with a beautiful green color, a sign of proper drying. Very good natural taste, which releases the essential oil and gives aroma to all dishes with success and delicacy “…

Check our Greek Dried Oregano!

As for the comments…

“Beautiful packing in this new range, that reveals beautiful herbs, spices, and fruits more or less crushed.
This cooking blend is intended for chicken and poultry. We try it on a chicken leg. During cooking, a pleasant fragrance emerges. The Thyme expresses itself fully. On the palate, it is oregano and lemon that develop there.
Is a nice help for a healthy kitchen”.

Ingredients for Lamb Chops

• Oil
• Dry white wine
• Lemon juice
• MADARA mix for Marinade
• Freshly ground pepper

Combine it with oil, dry white wine, lemon juice, MADARA marinade mix and freshly ground pepper, it brings out the explosive flavor in lamb chops, emphasizing the freshness and lightness of the meat.

Ingredients for Chicken

• Oil
• Yoghurt
• Mustard
• Orange juice
• MADARA mix for Marinade
• Freshly ground pepper

The combination with oil, yoghurt, mustard, orange juice, MADARA marinade mix and pepper, gives the chicken a spicy and refreshing taste, ideal for grilling or barbecue.

Ingredients for Pork

• Oil
• Honey
• Orange juice
• Red dry wine
• MADARA mix for Marinade
• Freshly ground pepper

Suggested combination with oil, honey, orange juice, dry red wine, MADARA Marinade mix, and freshly ground pepper, offers a sweet and sour taste to the pork, balancing the sweetness of the honey with the acidity of the wine and orange.

But what is in the recommended mix?

Ingredients: Savory, Rosemary, Sage, Verbena, Oregano, Pepper, Sweet Chilli Flakes

If you want to discover all the MADARA blends click here

Preparation for the recipe:

Simply mix and lightly whisk all ingredients in a glass bowl. Apply the marinade to the meat and allow it to develop a depth of flavor before cooking.

Tips:

• Marinate meats for at least 2 hours or, better yet, overnight for intense flavor.
• Always use fresh ingredients for your marinades for maximum flavor yield.

With these marinades, you’re ready to turn any meat meal into a culinary feast, discovering the multifaceted flavors offered by Cretan cuisine.

Ingredients for Dakos:

• Cretan barley rusks (dakos)
• 2 red tomatoes, juicy, scraped on a grater or in pieces
• 50 g mizithra or crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tablespoon of Cretan virgin olive oil
• MADARA mix for vegetables
• Olives
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Execution:

1. Depending on the dakos and its hardness, you can lightly moisten it with water or red wine to add another touch of aromatic complexity.
2. Add the tomato on top and season lightly with salt, allowing the juices to meet the rich flavor of the rusk.
3. Top the tomato with the myzithra or crumbled feta and add the oil, creating an exceptionally flavorful balance.
4. Finish with the olives and sprinkle with the vegetable mixture, which will highlight the flavors.

Tips for the perfect Dako:

• For a more wet dakos, feel free to add a little more olive oil or water. Texture is key in this dish.
• Cretan dakos is ideal served as an appetizer or as a light meal, accompanied by a glass of Cretan wine for a complete culinary experience.

The Nutritional Value of Cretan Dakos: A Treasure of Health

Apart from its undeniable taste value, Cretan dakos offers significant nutritional benefits, making it the ideal choice for those who wish to combine pleasure with health. The barley rusks are a rich source of dietary fibre, enhancing digestive function, while the tomatoes add a significant dose of vitamins A and C, as well as lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. The use of Cretan virgin olive oil, known for its cardioprotective properties, adds an extra element of health, while xinomizithra or feta cheese are rich sources of calcium and protein. The addition of the MADARA vegetable mix, as well as olives, enriches the dish with minerals and healthy fats. Thus, Cretan dakos is a balanced choice that contributes to the well-being and strengthening of the body, highlighting the Cretan diet as a true gift for health.

Cretan dakos is more than just a dish. It is an experience that brings Crete to your table, highlighting the rich culinary and cultural heritage of the island. With this recipe, you’re ready to taste travel to the heart of Crete, enjoying every bite.

Ingredients for Recipe Chicken:

• 2 chicken fillets or 6 boneless chicken legs with skin on, cut into small pieces
• Cypriot or Greek pies

For Marinade use

• 1 clove of garlic
• 3 tbsp MADARA Chicken Mix
• 1 tbsp vinegar or white wine
• ½ cup olive oil
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper

For the Yoghurt Dressing 

• 2 cups of strained yoghurt
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp mustard
• A little chopped parsley
• 1 tsp MADARA mixture for Cretan Marinade
• Salt

Recipe Execution:

• Lay the chicken rounds on a baking tray or in a wide pan.
• Put all the ingredients for the marinade in a blender and purée.
• Pour the marinade over the chicken, mix gently with your hands so that the marinade is spread over all the chicken pieces, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• In a non-stick pan heated over high heat, spread the chicken.
• Do not turn the chicken until 4-5 minutes have passed. Then turn it over and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Continue to cook, turning the chicken at regular intervals. The chicken round should not be dry and does not take long to cook.
• Prepare the yogurt dressing by mixing all the ingredients together in a glass bowl very well.
• In a non-stick frying pan, heat and cook the pies a little on each side.
• Serve the pies with chicken gyro and yogurt dressing.

Tips:

• Don’t forget the marinade, as it gives the chicken the wonderful taste and the necessary aroma.
• Warm the pies before serving to make them more pleasing to the palate.

This dish is perfect for a hot summer day, perfectly accompanying your relaxed mood with its rich and aromatic taste. Whether at the family dinner table or at a party with friends, the chicken round with yoghurt dressing will make an impression and add an exotic touch to your cuisine.