The protective properties of Satureja hortensis L. on the rat lymphocytes DNA lesions were tested. Lymphocytes were isolated from blood samples taken from healthy rats. DNA breaks and resistance to $H_{2}O_{2}$-induced damage were measured with the comet assay. Rat lymphocytes were incubated in S. hortensis ethanolic extract (SHE) (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mg/mL), essential oil (SHEO)(0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 ${mu}L/mL$), $H_{2}O_{2}$ (50, 100, and 200 ${mu}M$), a combination of $H_{2}O_{2}$ (200 mM) with either SHE (1.0, 2.5 mg/mL) or SHEO (1.0, 2.5 ${mu}L/mL$) at $4^{circ}C$ for 30 min, and the extent of DNA migration was measured using a single-cell microgel electrophoresis technique under alkaline conditions. Treatment of rat lymphocytes with SHE or SHEO resulted in significant reduction of $H_{2}O_{2}$-induced DNA damage compared to controls. SHE exhibited a significant (P<0.01) inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage at 2.5 mg/mL. SHEO (1.0 and 2.5 ${mu}L/mL$) also showed significant inhibitory effects (P<0.01) on $H_{2}O_{2}$ induced chromosomal damage. In conclusion both the ethanolic extract and the essential oil of the plant reversed the oxidative damage to rat lymphocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide.