Oregano is a woody shrub that is native to the Mediterranean. It is very easy to grow. Just get some cuttings, stick it to moist soil and you will have a living oregano plant in a couple of weeks. It can grow into a bushy shrub in just a short time. Oregano essential oil is extracted from fresh or dry leaves through steam distillation.

The primary component of oregano oil is carvacrol, Research suggests that oxygen molecules in it react with water in the body to create heat that kills germs by dehydrating them. The health benefits attributed to oregano essential oil are properties that include anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti oxidant, anti inflammatory, digestive and anti allergenic. Quite an impressive list, I must say. The only undesirable property of oregano oil is that it is not at all pleasant smelling. Its high Carvacrol level seems to make it an effective germ killer, but also gives it an extremely pungent smell and makes it a strong irritant to the skin and the mucous membranes.