Botanical Description, Cultivation Practices, Essential Oil Composition and Therapeutic Values of Origanum vulgare L. and its Future Prospective

The Lamiaceae family is of great diversity and variety, with a cosmopolitan distribution. Plants in this family are characterized by verticillaster inflorescence, two-lipped open-mouthed tubular corolla, opposite decussate leaves, quadrangular stem, etc. Most of the species belonging to the family are aromatic and possess essential oils. Origanum vulgare L., also known as Vantulsi or Badri tulsi, is an important herb that is commonly used for it’s aromatic properties. Oregano's leaves and flowering parts contain essential oil glands that produce volatile oil, which is what gives the plant its fragrance. Carvacrol and/or thymol make up the majority of the essential oil of Oregano, with γ-terpenine, p-cymene, linalool, terpenine 4-ol, and sabinene hydrate. These constituents are primarily responsible for the oil's antiviral, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, anticoagulant, and energetic action properties. In this review article, we shed light on the origin, distribution, botanical description, cytological and breeding studies, essential oil and its constituents, biological activities, cultivation practices and therapeutic values of Origanum vulgare L.