Oregano The British team along with colleagues from India have carried out research on an essential oil taken from Himalayan oregano and have found that it contains potent antibacterial properties. The extract, called carvacrol, is so powerful that it can even kill the hospital superbug MRSA.
In fact, tests have found that Himalayan oregano oil was more effective against MRSA than 18 different types of antibiotics.
The team is hoping that the research will lead to the development of antibacterial products like soaps and hand washes that can be used in the fight against the spread of infection.
The research project is part an initiative to provide rural communities in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh in India with a source of income from sustainable products. Oregano grows throughout the high altitude Himalayan meadows and is regarded by most of the inhabitants as a common weed. The project has recently been given a prestigious SEED award 2008 – a UN-backed scheme that supports local entrepreneurial initiatives in developing countries.
One of the lead partners in India is Biolaya Organics, a company that works with villagers to encourage the sustainable production of medicinal herbs.
'It has been known for some time that Mediterranean oregano oil is a powerful antimicrobial, which is said to be due to the high content of a compound called carvacrol,' said Ben Heron, founder of Biolaya Organics. 'As far as we know nobody has tested the carvacrol content of Himalayan oregano oil before.'
The research team at UWE have found that the Himalayan variety is even more powerful than its European counterpart – Professor Vyv Salisbury, who headed up the team believes this may be due to it growing at high altitude.
'We have done a few preliminary tests and have found that the essential oil from the oregano kills MRSA at a dilution 1 to 1,000. The tests show that the oil kills MRSA both as a liquid and as a vapour and its antimicrobial activity is not diminished by heating in boiling water. This is exciting as it also means that we could consider using the oil to develop disinfectant washing powders,' said Professor Salisbury.