Oregano Benefits, Side Effects, and Preparations Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Nutrition Facts Condiments, Pantry Staples, and More The Health Benefits of Oregano Possible oregano benefits include improved wound healing By Malia Frey Malia Frey Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer​, and fitness nutrition specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 12, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Melissa Rifkin, MS, RD, CDN Medically reviewed by Melissa Rifkin, MS, RD, CDN Melissa Rifkin is a Connecticut-based registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience working in the clinical setting. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Benefits Nutrition Select/Prep/Store Side Effects Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a popular fresh and dried spice used in Greek and Italian cooking. The flowering plant is a member of the mint (Apiaceae) family and is closely related to marjoram, thyme, basil, sage, and lavender. Cooks use either fresh oregano or they add it to recipes in dried or ground form. The spice has a warm taste that some also describe as bitter, musty, or minty. Oregano and oregano oil benefits have been widely studied by researchers. Health Benefits Both oregano and oregano oil are used for medicinal purposes. Some believe that oregano's strong camphor-like aroma may help relieve symptoms of respiratory tract disorders such as coughs, asthma, allergies, croup, and bronchitis. Oregano may also be used to treat: HeartburnBloatingParasitesMenstrual crampsRheumatoid arthritisUrinary tract infectionsHeadaches,DiabetesBleeding after dental workHeart conditionsHigh cholesterol A laboratory research study published in 2017 suggests oregano may have anti-tumor properties. However, no research is available on actual humans - research is still in the early stages. Oregano oil is sometimes used as an insect repellent or to treat insect bites. The oil is also used to treat: AcneAthlete's footGum diseaseToothachesDandruffCanker soresWartsSkin conditions including rosacea, and psoriasisMuscle or joint pain You should note that, currently, there is not enough evidence to support any of these medicinal oregano or oregano oil benefits. There is some evidence published back in 2000 that suggests oregano oil may help treat intestinal parasites in humans. In another study published in 2011, researchers have also found that an oregano extract ointment may help surgical wounds better than petroleum jelly. Further studies are needed to confirm either of these health benefits of oregano. Lastly, oregano is one of several ingredients in Zyflamend, a supplement that claims to boost your immune response, heart health, and joint function. Some preliminary studies have suggested that the supplement may have some benefits, but more research is needed. Nutrition There are almost no calories in oregano. According to USDA data, 1 teaspoon of ground oregano provides approximately 5 calories and 1 teaspoon of oregano leaves provides only 3 calories. Most of the calories come from carbohydrate in the form of fiber, but oregano is not a good source of fiber. A teaspoon of oregano leaves will help boost your vitamin K intake, providing about 14 percent of your recommended daily intake. You'll also benefit from a boost in vitamin A (2 percent of your recommended daily intake), vitamin C (1 percent), Vitamin E (2 percent) folate, niacin and vitamin B6 (1 percent each). Minerals in oregano include calcium (27.6 mg), iron (0.8 mg), magnesium (4.7 mg), phosphorus (3.5 mg), potassium (29.2 mg), sodium (0.3 mg), manganese (0.1), and small amounts of zinc, and copper. Selection Preparation and Storage Oregano in most forms is easily found in most grocery stores. You'll find ground and dried oregano in the spice aisle. These spices should be stored in a cool, dark, dry space such as a cupboard or cabinet that is away from the stove. Fresh oregano is found in the produce section. Look for bright green, healthy leaves. Once home, wrap the oregano in a paper towel and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. You can use fresh, ground, or dried oregano leaves in many Italian and Greek dishes. It is popular as an ingredient in spaghetti sauce and pizza. Try any of the following recipes with oregano. Example Recipes With Oregano Vegan Grain Bowls With Mediterranean Chimichurri Greek Lemon-Garlic Salad Dressing Recipe Simple Grilled Vegetables Oreganata Chicken and Potatoes With Fresh Greek Salsa Recipe Possible Side Effects Oregano or oregano oil are safe for most people when used in amounts typically found in food. However, those with allergies to mint (or other plants in the mint family) may experience an allergic reaction when they consume oregano. When used for medicinal purposes, oregano is possibly safe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin, although some people experience stomach discomfort. Health experts caution that skin irritation may occur if oregano oil is applied to the skin in concentrations greater than 1 percent. It is unknown if using oregano or oregano oil medicinally is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Experts advise that if you are pregnant, stay on the safe side and avoid use. Also, people with diabetes, bleeding disorders, or who will be undergoing surgery within two weeks should speak to their healthcare provider before using oregano. Common Questions Are there different types of oregano Yes, you might see Turkish, Greek, or Italian oregano at your market. Each type of oregano has a different look and a different taste. What is a suitable oregano substitute in recipes Oregano is often called oregano "wild marjoram" because it has a similar taste. For that reason, you can use marjoram as an oregano substitute, but oregano is stronger, so you may need to use a bit more, depending on the recipe. 6 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Therapeutic Research Center. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Kubatka P, Kello M, Kajo K, et al. Oregano demonstrates distinct tumour-suppressive effects in the breast carcinoma model. Eur J Nutr. 2017;56(3):1303-1316. doi:10.1007/s00394-016-1181-5 Force M, Sparks WS, Ronzio RA. Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo. Phytother Res. 2000;14(3):213-4. Ragi J, Pappert A, Rao B, Havkin-frenkel D, Milgraum S. Oregano extract ointment for wound healing: a randomized, double-blind, petrolatum-controlled study evaluating efficacy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(10):1168-72. Buckley MR, Terry PD, Kirkpatrick SS, et al. Dietary supplementation with Zyflamend poly-herbal extracts and fish oil inhibits intimal hyperplasia development following vascular intervention. Nutr Res. 2019;68:34-44. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2019.06.001 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. Additional Reading Rodriguez-Garcia, I., Silva-Espinoza, B. A., Ortega-Ramirez, L. A., Leyva, J. M., Siddiqui, M. W., Cruz-Valenzuela, M. R., … Ayala-Zavala, J. F. (2015). Oregano Essential Oil as an Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Additive in Food Products. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 56(10), 1717–1727. DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2013.800832. Vallverdú-Queralt, A., Regueiro, J., Martínez-Huélamo, M., Rinaldi Alvarenga, J. F., Leal, L. N., & Lamuela-Raventos, R. M. (2014). A comprehensive study on the phenolic profile of widely used culinary herbs and spices: Rosemary, thyme, oregano, cinnamon, cumin and bay. Food Chemistry, 154, 299–307. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.12.106. By Malia Frey Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer​, and fitness nutrition specialist. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles 10 Creative Juicer Recipes Why Dill Should Be Your New Super Herb Will Adding Marjoram to Pizza Make It Healthier? Cumin Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits How Using Thyme Might Boost Hair Growth The Health Benefits of Mustard How Adding Basil to Your Meal Might Banish Mental Fatigue Tarragon Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits How to Make Healthy, Delicious Salad Dressing Burdock Root Tea Benefits and Side Effects How Lemongrass May Provide Dandruff Relief Passion Fruit Juice Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits The Health Benefits of Rosemary Saffron: Benefits, Side Effects, and Preparations What You Need to Know About Vitamin E Supplements Best Substitutes for Marjoram When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept All