GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Syrian Oregano
Origanum syriacum L.
Chemotype: gamma-terpinene / carvacrol type
- PLANT PART
- leaves
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- mid
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 80 / 100
- Note layer
- mid
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 1.1%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
No phototoxic restriction was identified for Syrian oregano oil in the reviewed public sources.
Contraindications & cautions
- majorContraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding; the carvacrol/thymol-type phenolic profile is associated with embryotoxicity risk and potential uterine-stimulant activity, and safety data are otherwise lacking for this population.
- moderateCaution advised for people taking anticoagulant/blood-thinning medication, as the phenolic (carvacrol/thymol) content is associated with increased bleeding risk; also flagged for people with diabetes due to possible blood-sugar effects.
- moderateUndiluted/leave-on skin application is not appropriate: carvacrol- and thymol-rich oregano oils carry a moderate dermal sensitization and mucous-membrane irritation risk, and public safety summaries advise a low dermal maximum (around 1%) and against use on children age 2 or younger or on hypersensitive/damaged skin.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This record is anchored to the directly readable 2003 Turkish GC and GC-MS paper on Origanum syriacum leaves from Dortyol-Hatay. That accessions's profile is a non-thymol-dominant Syrian oregano type led by gamma-terpinene and carvacrol, with p-cymene and beta-caryophyllene as the next largest markers.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| gamma-Terpinene | 27.79% | 27.79–27.79% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, gamma-terpinene 27.79%) |
| Carvacrol | 26.97% | 26.97–26.97% | monoterpene phenol | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, carvacrol 26.97%) |
| p-Cymene | 15.69% | 15.69–15.69% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, p-cymene 15.69%) |
| beta-Caryophyllene | 12.59% | 12.59–12.59% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, beta-caryophyllene 12.59%) |
| Thymol | 2.12% | 2.12–2.12% | monoterpene phenol | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, thymol 2.12%) |
| alpha-Pinene | 1.22% | 1.22–1.22% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, alpha-Pinene 1.22%) |
| Myrcene | 1.38% | 1.38–1.38% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, Myrcene 1.38%) |
| alpha-Terpinene | 2.94% | 2.94–2.94% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, alpha-Terpinene 2.94%) |
| Linalool | 0.89% | 0.89–0.89% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, Linalool 0.89%) |
| Terpinen-4-ol | 0.74% | 0.74–0.74% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, Terpinen-4-ol 0.74%) |
| alpha-Terpineol | 0.01% | 0.01–0.01% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, alpha-Terpineol 0.01%) |
| Thymol Methyl Ether | 1.3% | 1.3–1.3% | ether | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, Thymol Methyl Ether 1.3%) |
| Carvacrol Methyl Ether | 4.57% | 4.57–4.57% | ether | View sourceScreening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey (Table 1, Carvacrol Methyl Ether 4.57%) |
Profile source: Screening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey; Oregano Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights · https://www.academia.edu/56164158/Screening_Chemical_Composition_and_in_Vitro_Antioxidant_and_Antimicrobial_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oils_from_Origanum_syriacum_L_Growing_in_Turkey ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/oregano-essential-oil.php
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for a warming, invigorating aroma
- reported to support respiratory comfort in diluted diffuser or steam use
- traditionally associated with immune-support folk wellness practices
- used in blends intended to promote alertness and physical warmth
- shares the traditional reputation of other carvacrol/gamma-terpinene oregano-type oils for pungent, herbaceous character
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 2 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- Odor intensity 80 is a normalization of public categorical oregano aroma-strength language rather than a native 0-100 instrument measurement.
- The public dermal maximum used here comes from open oregano safety literature citing Tisserand and Young rather than a directly viewable species-specific Origanum syriacum safety monograph.