May Help Reduce Viral Infection

In addition to preventing germs, recent research suggests that oregano and its constituents may help protect against certain viruses. Carvacrol and thymol, two chemicals found in oregano, have been linked to antiviral activity. Carvacrol inactivated norovirus, a viral illness that causes diarrhea, nausea, and stomach discomfort, in one test-tube trial within one hour of treatment.

In another test-tube trial, thymol and carvacrol were reported to inactivate 90 percent of the herpes simplex virus in approximately one hour. While these findings are encouraging, more study into how oregano may affect viral infections in humans is required.