What is Carvacrol?

We often say that our oregano oil has a very high percentage of carvacrol. But what exactly is carvacrol and why do we find it so important that a high percentage of this is in our oil?

Carvacrol is a chemical compound that occurs in the essential oils of, among others, oregano, marjoram and thyme. Carvacrol is a colorless liquid, slightly soluble in water and soluble in ethanol and ether. Because of its antibacterial, anti-fungal, analgesic and antioxidant activities it is used as:

• preservative (in cosmetics and in the food industry)
• disinfectant
• alternative medicine
   

Preservative:

Carvacrol is used as a preservative, due to its antimicrobial activity and its subtle taste and aroma. Oregano oil is also very suitable to drip over food (for example on a salad) to reduce spoilage and to take in case of food poisoning.

Disinfectant:

Carvacrol is the most researched substance and synthetic carvacrol has been added to cleaning agents such as lysol and lysterine since the 1960s to disinfect surfaces and objects.

Alternative medicine:

Oregano oil and other extracts rich in carvacrol are used for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and bactericidal properties. It is very widely applicable. Also read our blog about: Oregano oil as natural antibiotics or benefits and uses of oregano.

It is important that oregano oil contains at least 60% carvacrol so that carvacrol can do its job.