Oregano
Profile
| Latin Name | Origanum vulgare |
| Chinese Name | Not Known |
| Family | Lamiaceae/Labiatae |
| Note | Medium |
| Aroma | <Moderate-Strong> Spicy Color: Yellow to Amber (with age) |
| Parts Distilled | Leaves |
| Regions | Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, North Africa, Russia, Spain |
| Taste | Spicy, Bitter Nature: Warming |
| Affinity | LU/LR/SP |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Phenols (carvacrol) |
| Skin Type | NIA |
| Dosage | 4% (toxic in high dosage) |
TCM Categories
- Expel Damp-Hot Bi
- Tonify Qi
- Parasites
- Wind heat Bi
- Tonify blood via the spleen
Functions
- Warm the Middle Heater - strengthen Spleen qi and its production of blood; resolve vomiting and diarrhea
- Promote appetite and menstruation (doing that through its lung function of timing and rhythm, also descends ST Qi)
- Expel damp Bi-obstruction and damp-phlegm
- Destroy parasites, especially helpful if not able to expel parasites due to lack of yang
Indications
Specific Protocols
- 4% dilution of Oregano (30%), Lavender (40%), and Atlas Cedar (30%) for Damp-Hot Bi Obstruction and Wei-Atrophy.
Actions
- Anti-spasmodic
- Antimicrobial
- Anthelmintic (an-thal-mentic) used to destroy parasitic worms
- Emmenagogue (a substance that stimulates or increases menstrual flow)
Contraindications & Cautions
- Heat & empty fire
- Hepato-toxic
- Not used during pregnancy (abortive)
- Not for pre-pubescent children
Notes
- Good with needle oils to expel dampness
- Used internal as antiviral
- Helps with a lack of motivation to do anything; for someone who does not want to create karma or engage
Additional Comments
- Oregano can irritate and even burn the skin.
- Use small concentration and test for sensitivity.
- For short-term use only.
- The phenol chemotype is one of the best for H. pylori (internal use with a carrier oil)
From Class
- Oregano oil: Strong antifungal, topical on fungal rashes or oral (enteric-coated, ~230 mg); also diffused for chronic Lyme patients with opportunistic candida. (Ross)