Oregano

🌿 What is Oregano?
Oregano is a popular Mediterranean herb known for its bold, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. It’s commonly used in Italian, Greek, and Mexican cooking, especially in sauces, marinades, roasted dishes, and seasoning blends. Oregano is rich in antioxidants and essential oils such as carvacrol and thymol.

🤔 Why Might a Sensitivity to Oregano Occur?

A sensitivity to oregano may result from:

• Carvacrol and Thymol: Strong essential oils that can irritate sensitive digestive systems.

• Unique Proteins: Oregano contains specific plant proteins that may be reactive for some people.

• Phenol Content: Its high phenol levels can be stimulating or irritating for sensitive individuals.

🛠️ What can I do about it?

• Avoid oregano and oregano-containing products for 8 weeks.

• Check ingredient labels for oregano in spice blends, sauces, marinades, and packaged meals.

• After 8 weeks, reintroduce oregano slowly to evaluate tolerance.

• Track symptoms before and after reintroduction to identify changes.

💊 Supportive General Supplements

Consider:

• Quercetin: Helps support natural inflammatory balance.

• Probiotics: Promote digestive wellness and overall gut resilience.

• Digestive Enzymes: Support processing of complex plant compounds found in herbs.

🌟 Why Might I Have a Sensitivity to Oregano but Not Other Herbs?

Key differences include:

• Carvacrol & Thymol Levels: Oregano contains higher concentrations of these active oils than herbs like parsley or cilantro.

• Phenol Density: Oregano is richer in phenolic compounds, which may irritate sensitive individuals.

• Essential Oil Potency: Its aromatic oils are stronger and more concentrated than in many milder herbs.

🍽️ Popular Dishes with Oregano

• Pizza sauces

• Greek salads

• Marinades and rubs for meats

• Roasted vegetable dishes

🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

• Thyme

• Basil

• Marjoram

• Tarragon