Oregano Essential Oil
Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare L.
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae).
Synonyms: European oregano; wild marjoram; joy of the mountain; common marjoram; origanum.
Origin: Native to Europe to central Asia. Now cultivated all over the world, including the USA, Asia, South America. The oil is produced mainly in Russia, Bulgaria, Italy.
Botanical Description: A hardy, bushy, herbaceous perennial plant up to 90-cm (35 in) high. It has erect flower-bearing stalks, dark green, hairy ovate leaves, and purple or white flowers that form terminal spikes.
Oil Extraction: Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the dried flowering herb. The oil is a yellow to dark brown mobile liquid. Yield 1 to 2%.
Aroma Profile: Oregano has a strong, herbaceous, green-camphoraceous, medicinal top note. The middle note is spicy, medicinal. The dry out is sweet-phenolic woody, bitter-sweet.
Major Constituents:Thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene.
Adulterants: Thyme oils.
Regulatory Status: GRAS 182.20.
Aromatherapy: Oregano essential oil is invigorating, purifying and uplifting.
Blends well with: Cedarwood, lavender, lavandin, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, spike lavender, pine, camphor, citronella.
Safety Data: Skin irritant, dermal toxin, mucous membrane irritant. Avoid during pregnancy and if epileptic.
