Dittany Essential Oil

O. dictamnus essential oil is aromatic, oily mixtures of volatile components with characteristic odour and taste. They usually consist of a great number of different components, up to 150, with various chemical formulas.

O. dictamnus essential oil the major components of its essential oil are the monoterpenes: carvacrol, γ-terpinene and p-cymene (Argyropoulou et al., 2009; Liolios et al., 2009; Chorianopoulos et al., 2004; Daferera et al., 2003; Daferera et al., 2002; Daferera et al., 2000; Figueredo et al., 2006; Economakis et al., 2005; Economakis et al., 2002; Economakis et al., 1999; Sivropoulou et al., 1996; Harvala et al., 1987; Katsiotis and Oikonomou, 1986; Scrubis, 1979; Schaden and Hesse, 1976). In most cases, carvacrol proved as the major component identified in the aforementioned studies was carvacrol of the studied oils, with p-cymene, γ-terpinene and sometimes thymoquinone following in smaller amounts. The monoterpenes p-cymene and -terpinene are the precursors of carvacrol and its isomer is thymol in Origanum and Thymus species (Skoula et al., 1999).
The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC-MS analysis are carvacrol (40-50%), γ-terpinene (18-24%), p-cymene (9-13%).

O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus niger.
Carvacrol, is a well-known antimicrobial, antiseptic and antioxidant agent with low acute toxicity and weak genotoxic potential. It is approved by both the FDA and the European Commission as an additive.

Source: EMA