Oregano is a herb from the mint or Lamiaceae family. People have used it for thousands of years to add flavour to dishes and to treat health conditions. It features in the Mediterranean diet.
The Greeks and Romans associated oregano with joy and happiness. The name comes from the Greek words “oros,” meaning mountain, and “ganos,” meaning joy.
There are different types of oregano. The most common type is Oregano vulgare, also known as Spanish thyme and wild marjoram.
People use oregano in the diet as supplements and as an aromatic oil.
The antioxidants thymol, carvacrol, limonene, terpinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene give the herb its flavour and scent. They also contribute to the health benefits of oregano oil. Oregano provides other antioxidants when people consume it in the diet.