CHAPTER 20. Oregano – Oregano/Mediterranean Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens, Lippia palmeri, Hedeoma patens, Poliomintha longiflora) (Also Referred to as Rosemary Mint)

Abstract

Oregano is a popular culinary herb, with a strongly camphoraceous aroma and a slightly bitter, pungent flavour. Rich in calcium, folate, antioxidants and phytosterols, it is associated with ancient spiritual rituals and used in cosmetics, with a history of use in ethno-medicines in the East but less so in the West. The species of oregano which have attracted the most research, primarily carried out in North, Central and South America, with some research coming out of Africa, Asia and Europe, are Origanum vulgare (Mediterranean oregano; O. vulgare) and to a lesser extent species of Mexican oregano, Lippia graveolens, Lippia palmeri, Poliomintha longiflora and Hedeoma patens. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been attributed to these species. However, O. vulgare has also been shown to possess glucose lowering, anti-diabetic and chemopreventive/anti-cancer, anti-platelet, anti-microbial and prebiotic-like properties.