Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

The oregano herb, also known as thistle or wild marjoram, is known to most of us as a typical pizza spice. The labiates originally come from the Mediterranean region and are used here almost exclusively as a Mediterranean spice.

Accounts of the healing use of oregano from antiquity or the Middle Ages are unreliable, as it is usually not possible to clearly identify botanically which plant species of the genus is involved.

The fresh oregano herb contains relatively high amounts of vitamin C. For medicinal purposes, for digestive and respiratory tract complaints, the dried herb is mainly used as a tea or extract. The value-determining ingredients in oregano are essential oils, including thymol and carvacrol, as well as tannins and bitter substances. The essential oils have a strong germicidal and anti-inflammatory effect. The high proportion of phenols has an antioxidant effect, the bitter substances and oils stimulate the appetite.

Oregano-based products have been increasingly used in animal nutrition in recent years.