Key compounds
- Carvacrol
- Thymol
- Rosmarinic acid
- Monoterpenes
- Flavonoids
Herb Guide
Oregano Knowledge Base
Oregano is a backbone herb in Mediterranean and everyday cooking. Public evidence for whole-leaf culinary use is more about habit and flavor diversity than high-dose extract trials.
Latin name
Origanum vulgare L.
Type
Herb
Evidence
Low-Moderate
Flavor
Warm, slightly bitter, aromatic
Best for
Mediterranean savory routines and herb diversity
Potential benefits
- Adds antioxidant-rich herb rotation.
- Supports adherence through strong savory flavor.
- Useful in lower-sodium flavor building.
Culinary use
- Rub into olive oil for dressings and marinades.
- Finish roasted vegetables, beans, and tomato sauces.
- Pair with thyme and garlic for slow-cooked dishes.
Safety notes
- Essential oil is not interchangeable with dried leaf.
- Sensitive stomachs may prefer smaller amounts at first.
Interactions to consider
- Concentrated oregano-oil products belong in clinician-supervised contexts, not casual mega-dosing.
Simple routine
- Typical dried herb: 0.3-1.5 g/day equivalent across meals.
- Rotate with other green herbs for balance.