Origanum vulgare Oregano Oil
Origanum vulgare, Oregano Oil of the oregano plant species best known for its distillate of oil of oregano, is found growing wild in the mountains of the Mediterranean. More true oregano oil is distilled from Origanum vulgare than any other species of Origanum. The wild mountain grown Origanum vulgare is a plant of the mint family and is used primarily for expressing essential oil of oregano. Origanum vulgare is not the herb commonly used in culinary applications.
Origanum vulgare and Origanum compactum are the only two of over 40 species of oregano that essential oil is produced from. Origanum vulgare and Origanum compactum are considered to be the most aromatically and therapeutically beneficial oregano plants to render oil of oregano from. The essential oil of oregano is extracted from the dried flowering leaves using steam distillation. The other 38 plus varieties of oregano plants are not suitable for essential oil of oregano production. Neither of these plants are use to season foods with. Ironically the herb that is most known in Italian seasoning as oregano is actually marjoram (not oregano at all).
The wild oregano is rich in minerals and vitamins. The minerals zinc, potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, boron and vitamins niacin, A (beta carotene) and C are found in oil of oregano. These minerals and vitamins are very important in the composition of oil of oregano, however the medicinal constituents must include carvacrol, thymol, caryophyllene, ocimene, pinene, and limonene. Carvacrol is the primary component in medicinal and aromatherapy oil of oregano. The other constituents are only needed in trace amounts. The best analysis of oil of oregano for medicinal and aromatherapy uses are as follows:
• carvacrol (60 to 80% or higher) this is the critical component
• thymol (always less than 5%, higher percentages should not be used internally. )
• myrcene (1 to 3%)
• gamma-terpinene (3.5 to 8.5%)
• para-cymene (5.5 to 9%)
• Beta- Caryophyllene (2 to 5%)
Oil of oregano has been used since the beginning or recorded time for treatment of infections, colds, fevers, influenza, enteric parasites, fungus infections, indigestion, stomach ailments, asthma, flu, colds, insect bites, bronchitis, warts, rheumatism, headaches, and painful menstruation. Recent studies have confirmed that oil of oregano has some of the best natural antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
When buying oil of oregano, insist on Origanum vulgare and Origanum compactum that is wild harvested from the Mediterranean and has the needed constituents in the correct range of analysis. This precaution will assure that you are getting the very best supplement of essential oil of oregano that your body can assimulate.
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Origanum vulgare,oil of oregano
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