What Is Carvacrol? 8 Facts to Know
Carvacrol may not be a widely recognized household name, but its source – oregano, probably is. As it turns out, oregano offers more than a pleasant taste; research has shown that carvacrol, its active ingredient, offers a wide range of health benefits; including protective effects for the liver, antioxidant, activity against harmful organisms, and more. [1] The next 8 facts about carvacrol are sure to make it a known name in your household.
8 Facts About Carvacrol
1. Interesting Results Against Cancer Cells
I'm not going to tell you that carvacrol is a cure for cancer but it certainly is demonstrating some interesting activity in preliminary research. When tested against breast cancer cells, it expedited cancer cell death... while being non-toxic. [2] [3] Long Island University researchers reported similar results when putting it up against prostate cancer cells. [4] Actually, carvacrol exhibits the same results regardless of the cancer. [5] Lung cancer cells, oral cancer cells, and malignant brain tumors... all have been on the losing end when pitted against carvacrol. [6] [7] [8] Again, it's important to remember that these reports are exploratory and solution potency was a factor in each experiment; regardless, the potential is exciting.
2. Cleans as Effectively as Chlorine
Produce is often washed before it's made available for purchase. That's great... except for the fact that chemicals like chlorine may be used. One study looked to compare the antimicrobial effect of carvacrol to chlorine as a wash for grape tomatoes. For the experiment, grape tomatoes were contaminated with Salmonella, and then given a chlorine wash or carvacrol. The solution using carvacrol achieved significant reductions in Salmonella. The researchers also noted the natural solution did not affect nutritional value, antioxidant content, look or taste. [9]
3. Great Against Harmful Organisms
Experiments repeatedly confirm the efficacy of carvacrol against Salmonella, e. Coli, Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria. [10] [11] [12] It’s had so much success, researchers decided to pit it against an even more serious concern – antibiotic resistant Salmonella. When tested on Salmonella infected celery, carvacrol eliminated Salmonella colonies immediately. [13] It's believed this action may offer an alternative to keeping food clear of such harmful organisms.
4. Effective Against Candida
Many people are plagued by yeast infections and often times Candida albicans is to blame. They may occur in the mouth, digestive tract, or really anywhere that's accommodating to fungus. When researchers tested carvacrol against Candida sampled from denture wearers, the results found carvacrol to be very effective; supporting the traditional use of oregano oil as a natural remedy for Candida. [14]
5. Promotes Normal Lipid Levels
The oxidation of LDL cholesterol leads to accumulation along artery walls. The essential oil of oregano was one of several plant oils, which demonstrated protective effects for LDL against copper-induced oxidation. The most pronounced effect was observed with oregano oil and the activity was attributed to carvacrol.[15]
6. Supports Balanced Blood Sugar
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare in the former Soviet bloc country of Georgia approved an herb-based remedy containing carvacrol and other plant compounds as therapeutic support for blood sugar abnormalities. Although the carvacrol used didn't originate from oregano, trials of this drug reported that it lowered blood sugar without side effects. [16]
7. Fights Systemic Redness and Swelling
Redness and swelling are present with nearly all forms of injury or irritation. Clinical evidence suggests carvacrol may defend against redness and swelling. Tests have shown that it suppresses COX-2 expression, a primary cause of redness. While many plant-based essential oils have this potential, carvacrol is the best in class; research indicates it offers the greatest effectiveness. [17]
8. Amazing Cleansing Abilities... In the Home!
Carvacrol can offer cleansing action outside your body, too. One study examined its effectiveness as a surface-cleansing agent. Concentrations of oregano oil reportedly eliminated Listeria biofilms from plastic and stainless steel surfaces, confirming it as a cleaning agent even in non-organic environments. [18]
References (18)
- Baser KH. Biological and pharmacological activities of carvacrol and carvacrol bearing essential oils. Curr Pharm Des. 2008;14(29):3106-19.
- Arunasree KM. Anti-proliferative effects of carvacrol on a human metastatic breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB 231. Phytomedicine. 2010 Jul;17(8-9):581-8. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.12.008. Epub 2010 Jan 22.
- El Babili F, Bouajila J, Souchard JP, Bertrand C, Bellvert F, Fouraste I, Moulis C, Valentin A. Oregano: chemical analysis and evaluation of its antimalarial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities. J Food Sci. 2011 Apr;76(3):C512-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02109.x.
- LIU Brooklyn. LIU STUDY: COMPONENT IN OREGANO KILLS PROSTATE CANCER CELLS. (last accessed 2013-12-18)
- Andersen A. Final report on the safety assessment of sodium p-chloro-m-cresol, p-chloro-m-cresol, chlorothymol, mixed cresols, m-cresol, o-cresol, p-cresol, isopropyl cresols, thymol, o-cymen-5-ol, and carvacrol. Int J Toxicol. 2006;25 Suppl 1:29-127.
- Ozkan A, Erdogan A. A comparative study of the antioxidant/prooxidant effects of carvacrol and thymol at various concentrations on membrane and DNA of parental and drug resistant H1299 cells. Nat Prod Commun. 2012 Dec;7(12):1557-60.
- Liang WZ, Chou CT, Lu T, Chi CC, Tseng LL, Pan CC, Lin KL, Kuo CC, Jan CR. The mechanism of carvacrol-evoked [Ca2+]i rises and non-Ca2+-triggered cell death in OC2 human oral cancer cells. Toxicology. 2013 Jan 7;303:152-61. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2012.10.026. Epub 2012 Nov 9.
- Liang WZ, Lu CH. Carvacrol-induced [Ca2+]i rise and apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells. Life Sci. 2012 May 15;90(17-18):703-11. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2012.03.027. Epub 2012 Mar 27.
- Lu Y, Wu C. Reduction of Salmonella enterica contamination on grape tomatoes by washing with thyme oil, thymol, and carvacrol as compared with chlorine treatment. J Food Prot. 2010 Dec;73(12):2270-5.
- Obaidat MM, Frank JF. Inactivation of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on sliced and whole tomatoes by allyl isothiocyanate, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde in vapor phase. J Food Prot. 2009 Feb;72(2):315-24.
- van Alphen LB, Burt SA, Veenendaal AK, Bleumink-Pluym NM, van Putten JP. The natural antimicrobial carvacrol inhibits Campylobacter jejuni motility and infection of epithelial cells. PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e45343. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045343. Epub 2012 Sep 25.
- Upadhyay A, Johny AK, Amalaradjou MA, Ananda Baskaran S, Kim KS, Venkitanarayanan K. Plant-derived antimicrobials reduce Listeria monocytogenes virulence factors in vitro, and down-regulate expression of virulence genes. Int J Food Microbiol. 2012 Jun 15;157(1):88-94. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2012.04.018. Epub 2012 May 1.
- Ravishankar S, Zhu L, Reyna-Granados J, Law B, Joens L, Friedman M. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde inactivate antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica in buffer and on celery and oysters. J Food Prot. 2010 Feb;73(2):234-40.
- Marcos-Arias C, Eraso E, Madariaga L, Quindós G. In vitro activities of natural products against oral Candida isolates from denture wearers. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011 Nov 26;11:119. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-119.
- Kulisi T, Krisko A, Dragovi-Uzelac V, Milos M, Pifat G. The effects of essential oils and aqueous tea infusions of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. spp. hirtum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) on the copper-induced oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2007 Mar;58(2):87-93.
- Kemertelidze E, Sagareishvili T, Syrov V, Khushbaktova Z, Tsutskiridze L, Kurashvili R. [Saturin - effective vegetative remedy in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus]. Georgian Med News. 2012 Feb;(203):47-52.
- Hotta M, Nakata R, Katsukawa M, Hori K, Takahashi S, Inoue H. Carvacrol, a component of thyme oil, activates PPARalpha and gamma and suppresses COX-2 expression. J Lipid Res. 2010 Jan;51(1):132-9. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M900255-JLR200.
- Desai MA, Soni KA, Nannapaneni R, Schilling MW, Silva JL. Reduction of Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel and polystyrene surfaces by essential oils. J Food Prot. 2012 Jul;75(7):1332-7. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-11-517.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
