GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
Chemotype: carvacrol / p-cymene type
- PLANT PART
- leaves and flowers/buds
- EXTRACTION
- steam distilled
- 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 in the reviewed oregano sources; the limiting safety issue is dermal irritation and sensitization rather than furocoumarin content.
Contraindications & cautions
- majorAvoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- majorDo not use topically on children age 2 or younger or on hypersensitive, diseased, or damaged skin.
- moderateMay inhibit blood clotting and pose a drug-interaction hazard.
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 a directly readable Plant Therapy GC/FID report for a Hungary Origanum vulgare batch, which matches AromaWeb's cited Turkish oregano constituent pattern. The oil is strongly phenolic, with carvacrol as the main constituent and p-cymene plus gamma-terpinene as the main biogenetic precursors.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carvacrol | 64.94% | 64.94–66.01% | phenol | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, lines 66-67: carvacrol 64.94% / 66.01%) |
| p-Cymene | 12.97% | 12.88–12.97% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, line 52: para-cymene 12.97% / 12.88%) |
| gamma-Terpinene | 7.14% | 6.96–7.14% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, line 58: gamma-terpinene 7.14% / 6.96%) |
| Thymol | 3.67% | 3.67–3.67% | phenol | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, line 66: thymol 3.67%) |
| Linalool | 2.22% | 2.16–2.22% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, line 62: linalool 2.22% / 2.16%) |
| alpha-Pinene | 1.89% | 1.74–1.89% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, line 42: alpha-pinene 1.89% / 1.74%) |
| Myrcene | 1.7% | 1.58–1.7% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, line 47: myrcene 1.70% / 1.58%) |
| beta-Caryophyllene | 1.1% | 1.01–1.1% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceOregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf (PDF page 3, line 68: beta-caryophyllene 1.10% / 1.01%) |
Profile source: Oregano Hungary Liberty Natural listing; Oregano Organic batch O50103 GC/MS report; Oregano Essential Oil AromaWeb profile · https://www.libertynatural.com/bulk/59.htm ; https://funyu-store.b-cdn.net/report/Oregano-Organic-O50103.pdf ; 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, robust, herbaceous aroma
- reported to support respiratory comfort in diluted steam or diffuser use
- traditionally associated with seasonal immune-support wellness rituals
- used in blends intended to promote alertness and physical warmth
- historically used in folk herbal traditions for its pungent, spicy 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 AromaWeb's qualitative 'Strong' aroma-strength band rather than a directly published 0-100 measurement.
- No public source reviewed in this pass published verified volatility-rate or tenacity-hour figures for oregano oil.