ALLERGY RESOURCES

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND
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OREGANO ALLERGY


Key Allergens

Oregano is in the Lamiaceae family of plants. Other plants in this family include basil, chia seed, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Oregano is rarely linked to food allergy, to date there are no recorded allergens for oregano by the World Health Organization (WHO), because there have not been enough study into allergic effects from this food. If you are interested in what is needed by the WHO before they add an allergen to their allergen database you can check that out HERE.

Like most herbs oregano contains lots of essential oils which can act as an irritant and cause allergic contact dermatitis. It contains carvacrol, eugenol and thymol. Eugenol is a chemical compound which can also cause contact allergies - this is what gives the food flavour and fragrance. These contact reactions are sometimes mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.



Oregano is often crushed and pressed to make oregano oil which is used to flavour food and remedies. These can still contain essential oils which can cause contact allergic reactions.

Oregano is closely related and similar in appearance to the herb marjoram.


Food Intolerances

Food is low in FODMAP Food is high in salicylates

Oregano is a low FODMAP food. stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Oregano is a food high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

Associated Syndromes

An allergy to oregano is associated with allergic contact dermatitis.


Cross Reactivity

Other plants in the Lamiaceae family include basil, chia seed, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme. If you have an allergic reaction to oregano you may also be allergic to one of the related plants.

Other plants which contain eugenol include allspice, bay leaf, basil, cinnamon, turmeric, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, clove and thyme.

Please note that these food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.




Resources

Websites

DermNet NZ - Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Essential Oils

Allergen Encyclopedia - Oregano

Science Direct - Oregano

ATP Science - Salicylate Food List


Articles and Journals

Antifungal activity of essential oils of tea tree, oregano, thyme, and cinnamon, and their components, 2024

The Sensitization Profile for Selected Food Allergens in Polish Children Assessed with the Use of a Precision Allergy Molecular Diagnostic Technique, 2024

Approach to Idiopathic Anaphylaxis in Adolescents, 2023

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and eugenol toxicity, 2022

Biological Properties and Prospects for the Application of Eugenol — A Review, 2021

Contact Dermatitis to Essential Oils, 2021

Angioedema Due to Lamiaceae Allergy, 2018

Spice allergy, 2011

Allergic Reaction to Mint Leads to Asthma, 2011

Labiatae allergy: systemic reactions due to ingestion of oregano and thyme, 1996

Spice allergy evaluated by results of patch tests, 1993



Let me know if you found any of these interesting or useful. If you spot an article or research that you think is interesting you can message me or tag me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - links at the bottom of the page.

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