Most of the Origanum species are locally distributed within the Mediterranean region
where they grow in the mountainous areas on the islands. Due to this, the rate of endemism is high,
as in case of dittany of Crete (O. dictamnus). O. vulgare possesses the largest distribution area and can
be found throughout the Mediterranean region, however, the yield and quality of the essential oil is
controlled genetically and strongly affected by the environmental influences. Origanum essential oils
predominantly containing carvacrol, are generally of superior quality and highly valuable raw
material for food as well as in pharmaceutical industry. Essential oil of O. dictimus contains 70.8% of
carvacrol, while O. vulgare ssp. hirtum essential oil contains 78.5%. This study indicates the high
quality of investigated Origanum species from Greece, and indicates it to be highly valuable raw
material for food and in pharmaceutical industry
