How does Cuban oregano work medicinally?

Cuban oregano contains several bioactive compounds, primarily carvacrol and thymol, which demonstrate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Beta-caryophyllene contributes additional anti-inflammatory effects, while eugenol provides antimicrobial action. These volatile oils work by disrupting microbial cell membranes and modulating inflammatory pathways in the body. The flavonoids present also contribute antioxidant activity. Evidence Level B supports these traditional applications, particularly for respiratory and digestive conditions.

Does Cuban oregano interact with any medications?

Cuban oregano may potentially interact with medications metabolized by liver enzymes, as compounds like carvacrol and thymol can affect cytochrome P450 activity. Due to limited clinical data, individuals taking blood thinners, diabetes medications, or drugs processed by the liver should exercise caution. The herb's potential effects on blood sugar may enhance the action of antidiabetic medications. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining Cuban oregano with prescription medications.

What is the recommended dosage for Cuban oregano?

The traditional adult dosage for Cuban oregano is 2-4 grams of fresh leaves prepared as a tea, typically consumed up to three times daily for respiratory or digestive complaints. For coughs, fresh leaf juice can be extracted and taken in smaller amounts. Dried herb preparations may require dosage adjustment due to concentration differences. Evidence Level B supports these traditional dosing ranges, though standardized clinical trials establishing optimal dosing remain limited.

Is Cuban oregano safe to use during pregnancy?

Cuban oregano is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The essential oil compounds, particularly carvacrol and thymol, may stimulate uterine contractions or cause adverse effects on fetal development. Traditional contraindications explicitly warn against use in pregnant women, especially in therapeutic doses. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use Cuban oregano medicinally. Small culinary amounts may be less concerning but should still be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider.

Can Cuban oregano help with coughs and bronchitis?

Cuban oregano has a long history of traditional use for respiratory conditions including coughs and bronchitis across tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. The herb's antimicrobial compounds, particularly carvacrol and thymol, may help address underlying infections, while anti-inflammatory properties may soothe irritated respiratory tissues. Fresh leaf juice is traditionally used for acute coughs. Evidence Level B supports these applications based on ethnobotanical data and preliminary research.

Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus)

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 29 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Plectranthus amboinicus is a perennial herb from the Lamiaceae family used in folk medicine for respiratory, digestive, and skin conditions [PMID:27043511, PMID:38321896].

Contexte

Plectranthus amboinicus (also known as Coleus amboinicus, Indian borage, or Mexican mint) is a perennial plant native to tropical and warm regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia [PMID:27043511, PMID:38321896, PMID:42266885].

Usages traditionnels

It is widely used in folk medicine to treat colds, asthma, constipation, headaches, coughs, fever, and skin diseases [PMID:27043511, PMID:38321896]. In Indonesia, it is used as a traditional galactogogue (torbangun) [PMID:30000934], and in India, it is consumed with buttermilk during pathogen-induced diarrhea [PMID:25796406].

Composés actifs

The plant contains volatiles and non-volatile compounds including monoterpenoids (such as carvacrol and thymol), diterpenoids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenolics (including rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid), flavonoids, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, and tannins [PMID:27043511, PMID:38321896, PMID:28387609, PMID:42266885].

Mécanisme d'action

Antibacterial effects are associated with the disruption of bacterial cell walls, leakage of nucleic acids and cell constituents [PMID:27904397], and the decrease of catalase activity, which increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and leads to lipid peroxidation [PMID:37375543]. In arthritis models, it may attenuate inflammatory bone erosion by downregulating RANKL-induced NFATc1 expression [PMID:21724708].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve ABreast milk production

A meta-analysis suggests supplementation may increase breastmilk volume, though effect on infant weight gain is uncertain [PMID:30000934].

Preuve DDiabetes

Ethanol extract showed significant reduction in blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [PMID:22303055].

Preuve DRheumatoid Arthritis

Administration in collagen-induced arthritis mice attenuated inflammatory bone erosion [PMID:21724708].

Preuve DPeriodontitis

Carvacrol (a major component) ameliorated ligation-induced periodontal damage in rats [PMID:28387609].

Preuve DOral Cancer

Demonstrated anticancer activity on oral cancer cell lines in vitro [PMID:36974541].

Preuve DMalaria

Tested in vivo against Plasmodium berghei infections in mice [PMID:25276063].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Acute oral toxicity tests in mice at 5000 mg/kg revealed no mortality or evidence of toxicity [PMID:25276063]. It has been used for hundreds of years in Indonesia with apparent safety [PMID:30000934].

Grossesse et allaitement

Used traditionally as a galactogogue in Indonesia; however, no data exist on the excretion of components into breastmilk or the safety and efficacy in nursing mothers or infants [PMID:30000934].

Synthèse des preuves

The majority of evidence is based on in vitro studies, animal models (rats/mice), and review articles. There is one meta-analysis regarding its use as a galactogogue, but robust human clinical trials are lacking.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 30000934 (2006) — Plectranthus amboinicus: A Systematic Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Properties, and Therapeutic Applications. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 27043511 (2016) — Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng: Botanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Nutritional Significance. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 38321896 (2024) — Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Coleus amboinicus: A Comprehensive Review. · Current pharmaceutical design
4.PMID: 16289602 (2006) — Plectranthus: a review of ethnobotanical uses. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 36974541 (2023) — Anticancer Effect of Plectranthus Amboinicus and Glycyrrhiza Glabra on Oral Cancer Cell Line: An Invitro Experimental Study.

Cuban Oregano

Sources et citations

Clove

Propolis

White Clover Leaf

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Grossesse et allaitement

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Cuban Oregano

Sources et citations

Plantes associées

Clove

Propolis

White Clover Leaf

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Grossesse et allaitement

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales