Video and info provided by Dr. Arsalan Aspires, who is a popular health and wellness education channel created by Yaseen Arsalan, PharmD., focused on metabolic health, skincare, longevity, and supplements, the platform helps followers make informed decisions through YouTube videos, an expert-curated Thorne Dispensary.

Transcript:
4:11 – Oregano and Inflammation (The Underrated Benefit) Here’s the part people don’t talk about enough:
4:16 – oregano is anti-inflammatory, and that matters way beyond infections.
4:21 – Carvacrol has been shown to: Reduce NF-κB activation which is a major inflammatory
4:25 – signaling pathway, lower inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, and reduce oxidative stress.
4:32 – So What does that mean in real life? It means oregano may help calm:
4:37 – Gut inflammation, low-grade systemic inflammation, and Inflammatory responses triggered by infection
4:44 – And this is key — inflammation is often what makes you feel awful, not the microbe itself.
4:48 – So oregano’s ability to calm inflammation is part of why some people feel better so quickly
4:54 – when they use it.

*Advised is: 1 drop oregano per day, diluted in a teaspoon olive oil, eventually when okay, 2 drops oregano essential oil, diluted in one teaspoon olive oil.

Yaseen Arsalan recommends an oregano essential oil with a high percentage of 60-75% carvacrol. This information is mostly not provided on any essential oil bottle, not even on top quality brand bottles. What is important however is what is written on the website: Is it organic? From which country? Is it tested for heavy metals, pesticides and other environmental factors? What about GMOs?

Take a look at the website of Nature in Bottle, India, about in this case oregano. About carvacrol and thymol they write: Oregano Oil contains two powerful compounds, Carvacrol and Thymol. They do not mention the percentages. If it was really important they would have mentioned it.

1. Carvacrol Regulates the Expression of SLC25A6 by Inhibiting VDAC1 to Improve Mitochondrial Function and Reduce LPS-Induced Inflammatory Injury in HMEC-1 Cells Published: February 19, 2025 In: PubMed
2. Brain Health: The Dirty Dozen for the Brain [Clean up your EMF/electrosmog exposures (Dirty electricity, Wi-Fi, electronics)]
   Published: June 20, 2020
   By: NIHA staff
3. Protective Effects of Carvacrol against Oxidative Stress Induced by Chronic Stress in Rat’s Brain, Liver, and Kidney
   Published: January 19, 2016
   In: PubMed
4. Effects of Carvacrol on Oxidative Stress and Fibrosis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy: Histological, Gene Expression, and Biochemical Insights
   Published: December 27, 2025
   In: MDPI
5. Carvacrol Protects IPEC-J2 Cells from Oxidative Stress by Suppressing Autophagy
   Published: April 8, 2025
   In: PubMed
6. Carvacrol attenuated neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and depression and anxiety like behaviors in lipopolysaccharide-challenged rats.
   Published: September 1, 2022
   In: Europe PMC
7. The Effect of Carvacrol on Lipid Profiles, Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Markers, and Renal Injury in STZ‐Induced Diabetic Rats
   Published: June 2026
   In: ResearchGate

• Safety and Essential Oils
• Dosage of Essential Oils

Warning pictograms on essential oil bottles are required by law. For Oregano the following pictograms are used:

01. Inflammable – Official code: GHS02 – All essential oils are more or less flammable, also diluted essential oils. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Do not smoke when handling.

02. Environmentally hazardous – Official code: GHS09 – All pure, also diluted essential oils, are environmentally hazardous and rests of essential oils have to be collected as chemical waste, and may not be deleted in the sink, or the toilet.

03. Acute health effects – Official code: GHS07 – Causes mild skin irritation. Causes eye irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction. The oil must be generally used moderately and appropriately diluted: see dosage on the website. To prevent allergic reactions on the skin: Do the patch test (next chapter).

04. Long-term health-hazard – Official code: GHS08 – Greek sage should not be used excessively or over longer periods of time. The recommended dosage for the several different applications is crucial.

05. Corrosive – Official code: GHS05 – Can create corrosion when leaked on wood or some metals, when not immediately removed. Must not be used in plastic containers, or plastic measuring jugs. Contact with eyes must be avoided. If there has been a contact, use much running water to clean the eyes. In severe cases: contact a doctor. See also: acute health effects, no. 3.

06. Toxic – Official code: GHS06 – Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation). Internal use is fatal. Internal use is only allowed with the guiding expertise of a licensed aroma therapist, or, when used in food, only when practiced by a well informed chef, following up the safe dosage. In case of an accidental intake, because of ignorance, contact immediately a doctor, and take the bottle with you: the doctor understands the pictograms. Therefore oregano oil must be generally used with much care, moderately, never undiluted, and appropriately diluted. The dose determines whether something becomes toxic. It is important to follow up the dosage, because if ignored, essential oils with this warning sign are fatal.

Follow up the precautions.

• Child-safe dropper cap: Only buy essential oils with a child-safe dropper cap. (Press and turn)
• Children: Keep out of the reach of children.
• Dilution: Always dilute with a vegetable oil, —or, when to be used in a mix with water like in the bath, a foot bath, a spray, with glycerine or glycerol, because oil does not solve in water, while glycerine does— before applying to skin, in the bath, etc.
• Babies: Safe Essential Oils for Babies and How to Use Them – Healthline
• Pregnancy / breastfeeding: What to know about essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding – Mayo Clinic
• Eye Contact: Causes serious eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
  • In case of contact with eyes, immediately rinse abundantly water and consult a specialist.
• Skin: Causes skin irritation and causes an allergic skin reaction. Always dilute with a carrier oil before applying to skin and perform a patch test first. Do the patch test, the number 1 on the list.
• Ingestion: Do not ingest the oil. It is fatal. In case needed: ask a professional aromatherapist for advice.
• Fire: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Do not smoke when handling.
• Environment: Dispose of waste properly to avoid environmental contamination.

• Oregano essential oil should be avoided altogether in pregnancy, during breastfeeding and with babies.
• Limitations for external use: the dosage is important to make the correct applications. More than other essential oils, Oregano has to be applicated by adults only, who are well informed about the fact that Oregano essential oil can cause severe skin burns, and eye damage.
• To prevent allergic reactions on the skin: Do the patch test

• For external use: do the patch test first.
• Do not exceed the dose.
• For just a spot on the skin: always dilute OEO in a carrier oil (like coconut, olive, or jojoba oil) at a ratio of 1–2 drops of OEO per teaspoon of carrier oil before applying it to your skin.
• Used in a home made body oil: 20 drops in 200 ml olive oil
• Other external uses: list

Advice for internal use: visit a professional aromatherapist for the correct dose and method. NEVER consume undiluted OEO directly, it can be lethal. It is best taken in capsule or softgel form, provided by a professional naturopath or professional aroma therapist, or blended with a carrier oil, but always following the dose, and for external use: doing the patch test first. You should avoid it if you take blood thinners or diabetes medications.

*Advice for daily use: 1 drop oregano per day, diluted in a teaspoon olive oil, eventually when okay, 2 drops oregano essential oil, diluted in one teaspoon olive oil. Do not exceed the dose.

• Oregano essential oil as an antimicrobial additive to detergent for handwashing and food contact surface cleaning – ResearchGate
• Antiviral efficacy and mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol against murine norovirus – PubMed
• Antibacterial activity of oregano (Origanum vulgare Linn.) against gram positive bacteria – PubMed
• Essential Oils of Oregano: Biological Activity beyond Their Antimicrobial Properties – PubMed
• Carvacrol, a Plant Metabolite Targeting Viral Protease (M^pro) and ACE2 in Host Cells Can Be a Possible Candidate for COVID-19 – Frontiers in Plant Science [[oregano’s principle component is carvacrol, admin]]
• Oregano Oil and Its Principal Component, Carvacrol, Inhibit HIV-1 Fusion into Target Cells – PubMed
• Essential oil from the Cretan Origanum Onites L: A study about the anti-fungal qualities of especially Origanum Onites L.: PDF
• Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine – Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
• PDF: Greek Oregano Essential Oils Production, Phytotoxicity and Antifungal Activity

Recommended per day: one teaspoon with oregano dried herbs, added to a thermos filled with 1 liter hot, boiled water.

1. Oregano is probably the most commonly used aromatic herb in Mediterranean cuisine, as well as in many Cretan gastronomy dishes such as “dakos”, Greek salad, lamb, and many more.
Oregano is one of the most versatile herbs and can also be used in tomato sauces, soups, meats, egg dishes, stuffings, seafood, legumes, salads, bread, white cheese, and vegetables. It pairs well with most aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary, and basil.
TIP: Oregano is best added at the end of each recipe as overheating alters its taste, reduces its aroma, and usually adds bitterness to the food. Sprinkle the oregano, in moderation, at the end of the recipe, rubbing it slightly with your fingers to release all its aromas. Source: Botano, Crete, Greece

2. “Learn About Organo“,  is a recurring post where we’ll look at lesser known herbs, greens, etc., and discuss their origin, health benefits, and everything in between!