Objective: To provide the scientific basis for the utilization and development of Origanum vulgare by formulating the quality control standard of O. vulgare. Method: Totally 10 batches of O. vulgare from different origins were collected to identify the primary plants and describe their characters. The impurities

moisture

ash

sour insoluble ash and extractum were detected based on appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 version (Vol). The pharmacognostic study and qualitative identification with thin layer chromatography were conducted. The HPLC method was also adopted for the content determination of rosmarinic acid in the O. vulgare. Result: The contents of impurities

moisture

ash

sour insoluble ash shall not exceed 2.0%

10.0%

10.0%

2.5%.The ethanol-soluble extractum shall be no less than 19.0%. The content of rosmarinic acid shall be no less than 0.9%. Conclusion: The experimental method was accurate and reliable. The above indexes and parameters can be used as the basis for formulating the quality standards for O. vulgare and developing and utilizing O. vulgare.