Cuban oregano, also known as Indian borage, Spanish thyme, and Mexican mint, is a plant used for culinary seasonings and medicines in the Caribbean and East Asia. It has antioxidant and antiseptic properties and is known to neutralize capsaicin. Oregano oil supplements are available but should be used externally and only after consulting a doctor.
Cuban oregano is a green leafy plant. Its leaves are used throughout the Caribbean and East Asia for culinary seasonings and medicines. It is not native to Cuba, it actually originated in India. This type of plant, like other types of oregano, is a member of the mint family.
The Latin name for Cuban oregano is plectranthus amboinicus. It is also known as Indian borage, Spanish thyme, and Mexican mint, among other names. It was most likely introduced to the Caribbean people of Haiti during the French colonial period of the late 19th century. The Cuban name is French oregano or French oregano.
In Cuba, practitioners of traditional herbal medicine called yerberos make a tea from the leaves of Cuban oregano. It is then used for digestive problems, respiratory diseases and arthritis. In Indonesia, the plant is called daun kambing. Its dried leaves are added to soup to increase the amount of breast milk. In India, Cuban oregano tea mixed with sugar and reduced to syrup is a traditional remedy for coughs and sore throats.
Some gardeners rub the crushed leaves on their skin as an insect repellant. The leaves of the plant are strongly scented. Some say it smells like a very strong mix of oregano and sage. It is also known to neutralize capsaicin, the compound in peppers that heats them up. Chewing a Cuban oregano leaf is recommended to cool the burning caused by foods that are too spicy.
Haitian traditional healers fry the leaves and use the cooled oil as a chest rub for bronchitis and other respiratory problems. This plant is known to Western herbal and holistic medicine practitioners for its antioxidant and antiseptic properties. However, it is not the same plant most commonly used in oregano oil supplements. The scientific name of that oregano is origanum vulgare, which means common oregano.
The benefits of Cuban oregano and oregano oil are believed to be very similar. Oregano oil is sold in the essential oil form, which is stronger than oregano oil. Oregano oil should not be consumed. Instead, it should be diluted with a neutral oil and only used externally. Its uses are for insect bites, cuts and abrasions on the skin.
Oregano oil supplements are available without a prescription at health food stores and many pharmacies that sell natural supplements. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not evaluated the benefits of oregano oil supplements and Cuban oregano. A doctor should always be consulted before taking any supplement.
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