While oregano is the best known source of the compound, it is typically present in plants belonging to the Labiatae family including mint, basil, hyssop, marjoram, rosemary, lavender and sage. What is Carvacrol?Ĭarvacrol or 5-Isopropyl-2-methylphenol, to give it its full name, is a compound found in a number of essential oils as well as black walnut oil. The majority of the testing on oregano oil’s anti-fungal, antiviral and other properties has been done on oregano oil with between 62 and 85% carvacrol. The reason that oregano oil is so much more effective is the synergism between its naturally occurring compounds.

One interesting fact is that pure carvacrol has only around half the ability to destroy pathogens as pure oregano oil according to laboratory tests. It also confers an array of health benefits including antioxidant properties, liver protection, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory abilities. Oregano is probably the best known source of carvacrol and research has demonstrated that the herb is not just a tasty cooking ingredient.

You may not have heard about carvacrol but I am certain that you are familiar with some of the herbs in which it is found.Ĭarvacrol is one of the main reasons that so many people benefit from using oregano oil but it is also found in other essential oils including thyme and wild bergamot.