Oregano essential oil has many health benefits that include treatment of parasitic and fungal infections, strengthening the immune system, and improving digestion. It can help balance hormones and lessen the symptoms of menstruation, aid in weight loss efforts, and even minimize the severity of allergic reactions.
The benefits of oregano essential oil can be attributed to its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties. It also acts as an emmenagogue and an anti-allergenic substance.
What is Oregano Oil?
Oregano oil is a highly beneficial essential oil extracted from oregano leaves. Oregano is a plant native to higher altitudes and normally grows in the mountains, which is how it is named “Oregano”, meaning “delight of the mountains”. While oregano is famed as a spice, oregano essential oil is a concentrated form that is widely sought after for natural remedies.
The disinfectant and antibacterial properties of oregano essential oil were first recognised in ancient Greece where it was often used for treating bacterial infections on the skin or wounds. It was also used to protect food from bacteria. The essential oil of oregano is extracted through steam distillation of fresh oregano leaves, which bear the scientific name Origanum vulgare. Its chief components are carvacrol, thymol, cymene, caryophyllene, pinene, bisabolene, linalool, borneol, geranyl acetate, linalyl acetate, and terpinene. [1]
Health Benefits of Oregano Essential Oil:
Along with being respected for its antimicrobial properties, this oil has many medicinal properties as well. Let’s take a look at them below.
Treats Respiratory Conditions:
Oregano essential oil can act as an expectorant, which loosens up or helps eliminate the uncomfortable buildup of mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tracts and sinuses. It is also a soothing balm for inflamed lungs and throat, which may often stimulate coughing fits. Therefore, oregano essential prevents and slows the progressive symptoms of certain respiratory ailments.
Anti-inflammatory Properties;
A study published in 2010 has revealed that oregano essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe many types of inflammation, internal or external, caused by a variety of reasons. [2] When it is applied topically, it can reduce redness and irritation onto the applied area and also relieve pain associated with arthritis or injury. When consumed, it has much of the same effect, although it is spread throughout the body, so will not necessarily relieve pain and discomfort as quickly.
Prevents Infections:
According to a research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, oregano essential oil protects you against bacterial infections like urinary tract infection, typhoid, cholera, sores, skin infections, and food poisoning. [3] Also, the antibacterial effects of oregano don’t have an inhibitory effect on the health, so you don’t suffer from the ill effects of being undefended.
A research led by Dr. Harry Preuss, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, also suggests that oregano oil has antimicrobial properties that help prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection. [4]
Antifungal Properties
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa are the four agents that are responsible for communicable and infectious diseases. Out of these, fungi are responsible for some of the most dreadful and fatal infections, both internal and external. They can cause ugly, painful, and deadly infections in the ear, nose, and throat, which, if not treated early, may reach the brain and become lethal.
Many skin infections are also caused by these fungi. Oregano oil, if used regularly, either internally or externally, can effectively protect the body against many of these fungal infections.
Antiviral Properties:
According to a 2011 study, Mexican oregano essential oil has antiviral properties that provide protection against viral infections. [5] This means that it strengthens your immunity against cold, mumps, measles, pox, and other problems caused by viruses. This boost to the immune system helps to defend against deadly viral infections and even autoimmune disorders. Oregano essential oil also stimulates the production and function of white blood cells, the body’s main line of defence.
Antiparasitic Properties:
Many types of parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, lice, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and fleas live inside or outside the human body. These parasites use the human body as a source of food and as a vessel or carrier of communicable diseases. Oregano essential oil, when ingested, can eliminate intestinal worms, and when applied externally, it effectively keeps away lice, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and fleas. Hence, it is not uncommon to find oregano essential oil as a component of organic bug sprays and repellents.
Improves Gut Health:
According to a research by Dr. Mark Force and his team, oregano oil is able to inhibit the growth of harmful parasites in the gut. [6] It also helps in lowering your risk of gastrointestinal diseases and a leaky gut.
Prevents Cancer:
A study by A. Tansu Koparal, et al. that carvacrol, an active compound present in oregano oil, has anti-tumour properties and can help prevent the growth of cancer cells. [7] More specifically, oregano essential oil contains phenols, a powerful form of antioxidant that eliminates free radicals that cause diseases and scours the body. Another study reported that sesquiterpene isolated from oregano essential oil has enormous anticancer potential. [8] However, more studies and scientific evidence would be needed to confirm the effects.
Regulates Menses:
This powerful oil is beneficial for regulating menstruation and delaying the onset of menopause. Those suffering from obstructed menses may also find relief by using oregano essential oil. As an emmenagogue, it can help reduce symptoms of oncoming menopause, including mood imbalance and hormonal shifts.
Anti-allergenic:
This is another side of the sedative and anti-inflammatory properties of oregano essential oil. Allergies are hyper-reactions of the body towards external stimuli. Oregano oil, a sedative by nature, calms down this hyper-sensitivity and is known to give relief from allergy symptoms. [9] Through its anti-inflammatory quality, the severity of allergies can be reduced, which is important for reactions like anaphylactic shocks or swelling in the throat.
Promotes Digestion:
According to a study published in 2010, oregano essential oil has the ability to promote digestion by increasing the secretion of digestive juices. [10] It also increases the nutrient digestibility and enzymes which aid in absorbing food. This can improve your health by maximising the nutrients you get from food!
Other Benefits:
Other benefits of oregano essential oil include the following:
Help heal psoriasis, eczema, athlete’s foot, flu, and other infectious ailments
Treat bacterial infections like E. coli, giardiasis, and food poisoning
It relieves congestion and certain studies also say that it is a powerful painkiller
Health benefits of oregano essential oil - infographic
How to Use Oregano Oil?
You can use oil of oregano in different ways that include the following:
Topical application: It is used in many ways, like in aromatherapy which provides many health benefits and has been the most popular use for decades.
It can be applied topically for irritation on the skin with a carrier oil like coconut oil for improving your skin quality and wound healing
You can topically apply oregano oil for skin irritation and in the space near wounds, as it can speed up healing
You can put oregano oil under your eyes and over wrinkles as well
Note: Dilute the oil before applying topically. You can dilute it 1:1 with olive oil or coconut oil
Consumption: You can ingest oregano essential oil in very small quantities as a dietary supplement, usually diluted with honey or other non-dairy beverages.
Sublingual consumption (dropping the oil beneath the tongue)
You can also consume oregano oil as an additive
Supplemental form: Oregano essential oil comes in capsule, tablet, and liquid form. Straight doses of roughly 500mg, 3-4 times a day, as a digestive aid can be taken.
Oregano oil is very useful for different health concerns and each method of using the oil is connected to what ailment you have. But remember, it is extremely potent and concentrated, so there is no need for an excess amount. Speak to a professional who can recommend the best method!
Where to Buy Oregano Oil?
You can buy oregano oil from any place where essential oils are sold, as well as major stores and big-box chains. It is relatively easy to prepare by yourself, although it takes a few weeks to fully make. Look out for it at natural health practitioners and herbalists.
Blending: The essential oil of oregano blends well with the essential oils of lavender, rosemary, bergamot, chamomile, cypress, cedarwood, tea tree, and eucalyptus. These combinations are often made and widely used by aromatherapists and herbalists.
How To Make:
Ingredients:
Fresh oregano leaves
Olive or Almond oil
Instructions:
Boil water in a saucepan. Once it is a rolling boil turn off heat.
Place the oil and oregano leaves into a clean, sealable jar.
Put the jar into the hot water and let sit for 5-10 mins. This heats the oil up and starts to release the oregano oils.
Remove the jar from the water bath and place in a sunny window for 1-2 weeks.
Give the jar a shake every few days.
After 2 weeks strain the oregano from the oil.
Place into a clean jar.
Store the oil in a cool dark place.
How To Apply:
Topically
After diluting your oil of oregano with a little olive oil, you can apply the mixture onto your skin to help ease pain from muscle inflammation and soreness. Oil of oregano is also effective as a topical treatment to help cure skin rashes, and ease pain from insect stings.
Other/Ingestion
To help ease the symptoms of colds and flu, sore throats, and digestion problems add a few drops of oil of oregano to a glass of juice or coconut milk.
REF: OrganicsFacts.net-MNagdeve2019 & healthy Holistic Living-M Toole-2015
*Disclaimer: Individuals results may vary based on a patient’s medical history and other factors and these results should not be expected or anticipated. Information on this site is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Statements made about products, therapies or services have not been evaluated and is provided as an information source only.