lo

Sustainable contribution of “oregano” to the well-being of poultry producers

Keywords:
Origanum vulgare, avian health, phytobiotic, alternative antibiotics
Abstract

The use of oregano (Origanum vulgare) in chicken health has established itself as a natural alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics, whose indiscriminate use has raised concerns about the antimicrobial resistance they represent. This literature review analyzes the latest scientific evidence on the functional properties of oregano and its impact on avian health. Positive effects of oregano essential oil were identified in the control of enteric pathogens such as Salmonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens, attributable to bioactive compounds such as carvacrol and thymol. In addition, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action contributes to improved intestinal integrity, reduced oxidative stress, and reduced inflammatory processes. At the immunological level, oregano stimulates the production of immunoglobulins and strengthens the immune response to common infections in poultry farming. Zootechnical improvements have also been observed, such as increased body weight, better feed conversion, and higher egg quality; however, challenges remain related to dose standardization, chemical variability, and evaluation of long-term effects. Overall, the findings support the use of oregano as an effective and sustainable tool for promoting poultry health and productivity without the adverse effects of conventional antibiotics.

References

Abou C., Andary J., & Abou R. (2024). Antibiotic residues in poultry products and bacterial resistance: A review in developing countries. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 17(12), 102592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102592

Abreu, R., Semedo-Lemsaddek, T., Cunha, E., Tavares, L., & Oliveira, M. (2023). Antimicrobial Drug Resistance in Poultry Production: Current Status and Innovative Strategies for Bacterial Control. Microorganisms, 11(4), 953. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040953

Alagawany, M., Abd El-Hack, M. E., Farag, M. R., Tiwari, R., Dhama, K., & Karthik, K. (2020). Biological effects and modes of action of carvacrol in animal and poultry production and health—A review. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 8 (2), 124–131. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2020/8.2.124.131

Almeida Vélez, R. M., & Bravo Zambrano, M. P. (2021). Adición de aceite esencial de orégano (Origanum vulgare) y sus efectos en los parámetros hematológicos en pollos de engorde Cobb 500. Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí Manuel Félix López. https://acortar.link/V0t2j4

Božović, M., Pirolli, A., & Ragno, R. (2021). Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (Lamiaceae) essential oil and its main constituent piperitenone oxide: biological activities and chemistry. Molecules, 26(3), 666. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030666

Burt, S., Vlielander, R., Haagsman, H., & Veldhuizen, E. (2021). Synergistic activity of carvacrol with other plant compounds against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 658802. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.658802

FAO. (2020). The FAO Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021–2025. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://acortar.link/efFwOz

Gadde, U., Kim, W. H., Oh, S. T., & Lillehoj, H. S. (2021). Alternatives to antibiotics for maximizing growth performance and feed efficiency in poultry: a review. Animal Health Research, 22(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1466252321000020

Hinojosa R, De la Cruz R, Espinoza C. (2020). Revistas de ciencias agrícolas de Suramérica indexadas en SciELO Relación con indicadores de desarrollo de la agricultura. Información, cultura y sociedad, 43, 53-68. https://doi.org/10.34096/ics.i43.8372

Hinojosa, R., Vitor, R., Gonzales, J., Quispe, Y., Molina, R., Ricra, J., Sánchez, E. y Quispe, J. (2019). Sustentabilidad de los sistemas de producción agropecuaria. Puriq, 1 (02), 198–207. https://doi.org/10.37073/puriq.1.02.31

Hashemi, S. R., & Davoodi, H. (2020). Herbal plants and their derivatives as growth and health promoters in animal nutrition. Veterinary Research Communications, 44(2), 75–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-020-09767-2

Marchese, A., Arciola, C. R., Barbieri, R., Silva, A. S., Nabavi, S. F., Sokeng, A. J. T., ... & Nabavi, S. M. (2019). Update on monoterpenes as antimicrobial agents: A particular focus on p-cymene. Materials, 12(13), 2470. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12152470

Abd, M., El-Saadony, M., Elbestawy, A., El-Shall, N., Saad, A., Salem, H., El-Tahan, A., Khafaga, A., Taha, A., AbuQamar, S. & El-Tarabily, K. (2022). Necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens: disease characteristics and prevention using organic antibiotic. Poultry Science, 101 (2), 101590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101590.

OIE. (2022). World Animal Health Information Database (WAHIS). World Organisation for Animal Health.

Ramírez, S. Y. (2020). Evaluación del aceite esencial de orégano (Lippia origanoides) como alternativa al uso de antibióticos promotores de crecimiento en ponedoras ISA Brown. Universidad del Tolima.

Reyes, F., Cervantes, M. I., Bach, H., López, A., & Palou, E. (2020). Antimicrobial activity of oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare L.) against Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus in food systems. Food Control, 118, 107437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107437

Ruiz, A. V. (2021). Ajo, orégano y tomillo, opciones para remplazar los antibióticos en la industria avícola. https://acortar.link/oVZMbM

Silva, N. C. C., & Domingues, F. C. (2020). Antimicrobial activity of carvacrol and thymol: a review. Food Science and Technology International, 26(5), 431–446. https://doi.org/10.1177/1082013219891680

WHO. (2019). Critically Important Antimicrobials for Human Medicine (6th revision). World Health Organization.

Windisch, W., Schedle, K., Plitzner, C., & Kroismayr, A. (2021). Use of phytogenic products as feed additives for swine and poultry. Journal of Animal Science, 99(2), skab011. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab011

Xian, L., Wang, Y., Peng, D., Zang, L., Xu, Y., Wu, Y., Li, J., & Feng, J. (2024). Dietary Oregano Oil Supplementation Improved Egg Quality by Altering Cecal Microbiota Function in Laying Hens. Animals, 14(22), 3235. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223235

Zhao, X., Yang, J., Gao, X., Liu, X., & Yang, F. (2021). Effects of oregano essential oil supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune response in laying hens. Poultry Science, 100(6), 101013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101013

Zheng, W., Zhu, J., & Guo, Y. (2022). Evaluation of antioxidant activities of oregano and its major components in vitro and in vivo. Antioxidants, 11(3), 498. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox1103049

Cover Image
Published
2025-08-29
Section
Artículos
License

Copyright (c) 2025 David Castillon Poma , Astrid Vanessa Crispin Pérez , Lizangela Aurelia Hinojosa Yzarra , Candelaria Flores Miranda

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Sustainable contribution of “oregano” to the well-being of poultry producers. (2025). GnosisWisdom, 5(2), 26-34. https://doi.org/10.54556/gnosiswisdom.v5i2.96

Similar Articles

1-10 of 17

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)