Applications of Oregano Essential Oil (Origanum Vulgare L.) in Public Health Pests Management: A Narrative Review

Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) is an aromatic plant, which is belonging to Lamiaceae family. The aerial parts of this medicinal herb, including leaves, flowers, stems and fruits, are used to extract essential oils. The aims of this study was a review on the repellent efficacy of essential oil of oregano to control pests and vectors of infectious diseases.

Results and Conclusion:

The chemical composition of the oregano oil varies according to the place of growth and its varieties. But, carvacrol and thymol have been introduced as the most important compounds of oregano oil. Oregano essential oil has repellent efficacy against health pests including Bed bugs, Head lice and Brown-banded cockroach and also against vectors of infectious diseases such as Aedes albopictus, Culex pipiens and Texas lone star tick. Due to the fact that the essential oils of plants, including Oregano, have fewer side effects for humans and environmental friendly, so they can be a good relatively alternative for synthetic chemicals to control vectors of infectious diseases and health pests.