Oregano, of the family Lamiaceae, is native to Greece, Europe, Asia,and North Africa. Its name is derived from the Greek words "orus" (mountain) and "gamon" (joy), and may thus be translated as "joy of the mountain." In ancient Greece it was used in poultices as a relief for sore muscles, while the Romans added it to poultices to heal scorpion and spider bites. Colonial Americans used oregano to treat coughs and asthma. Chinese physicians have long utilized it as a remedy for many ailments, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice and itchy skin.

The primary ingredients of oregano are thymol and carvacrol (also found in Thyme), which loosen phlegm in the lungs and reduce spasms in the bronchial passages. Juice of oregano, containing a wide variety of natural substances known as "oxygenated compounds," is effective as an oxygen tonic. There are no known harmful effects of oregano.