4. Antiviral Activity Supports Immune Defense
Besides what has been mentioned so far about carvacrol and thymol, two key compounds of oregano, they also help against viruses such as norovirus and herpes. In lab tests, they destroyed most herpes virus particles quickly. This means oregano might help the immune system during colds and flu, though human studies are rather limited.
5. Cancer-Fighting Compounds
Some lab studies suggest that oregano extract can slow the growth of colon cancer cells and even kill them. Its rich antioxidants may help protect DNA from damage that leads to disease. Carvacrol has shown potential against ovarian, prostate, and leukemia cells in test-tube experiments.
Studies involving animals have also shown that oregano might reduce tumor growth and spread. However, more research needs to be done before using oregano as a treatment against cancer.
