Oregano Oil Benefits You Need to Know

There is almost no better essential oil that fights off infection as well as conventional antibiotics than oregano essential oil. In fact, this powerful oil has become a staple in many homes to help fight off colds, stave off early flu symptoms, prevent the flu virus from replicating, and even destroy MRSA (source). There are so many oregano oil benefits that it’s almost hard to believe that a single oil could be so amazing.

Convinced yet? There’s more!

The Many Oregano Oil Benefits You Need to Know!

Oregano essential oil is distilled from the dried, flowering herb of several different European species.

These include:

• Origanum maru
• Origanum smyrnaeceum
• Origanum vulgare
• Thymus capitus

Most often, the essential oil is distilled from the Hungarian variety Origanum vulgare which is the species commonly found in culinary gardens.

The oil has a very fresh, vibrant, pungent, herbaceous, camphoraceous, warm aroma with spicy, woodsy undertones. It’s incredibly potent smelling and is the true epitome of fresh oregano.

The name Oregano comes from the Greek “oros”, which means mount, and “ganos” which means delight or splendor of the mountains.

Its dominant molecule carvacrol (a monoterpene phenol) is what gives oregano essential oil many of its potent properties. Carvacrol is what also gives oregano it irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, so care must be taken when using it topically.

Why is Oregano Essential Oil So Great?

Like I mentioned above, oregano essential oil is high in monoterpene phenols.

Phenols are among the most important classes of essential oil compounds because they cleanse receptor sites, “eat” free radicals and protect us from viruses and bacteria. They are the ultimate initiators of the healing process due to their purgative effects.

Monoterpenes are responsible for enhancing the therapeutic benefits of other components within an essential oil and coordinate their healing abilities, even turning potentially harmful constituents into ‘healing helpers”.

Oregano oil has these chemical constituents which are what makes it such an amazing oil to use for health and well-being, especially during the flu season. (source)

Oregano essential oil is known to be:

• Antiaging
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiparasitic
• Antiviral (very powerful)
• Carminative
• Diaphoretic
• Immune stimulant
• Nerve tonic

(source)

Oregano Oil Benefits and Uses

The benefits of oregano oil extend beyond the realm of cold and flu treatment and prevention. In fact, it has quite a number of uses you may not be aware of.

Oregano essential oil can treat:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Athlete’s foot
• Bronchitis
• Candida
• Croup
• Digestive upset associated with flora overgrowth like SIBO
• Earaches
• Fungal infections
• Gingivitis
• Indigestion
• Inflammation
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Rheumatism
• Sinus infections
• Sore muscles
• Sore throat
• Toothaches
• Whooping cough
• Yeast infections

(source)

How to Use Oregano Essential Oil Safely

Oregano essential oil is one of the stronger “hot” oils, it’s important to know how to use it safely to avoid skin and mucous membrane irritation.

Topically

Since oregano essential oil is so potent, it’s really important to dilute it properly. The maximum dilution for oregano oil should never exceed 1% which means you can use a maximum of 6 drops of oregano oil per one ounce of carrier oil.

You can apply this mixture topically to fungal infections on the skin and nails 2x daily to help fight athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and other fungal infections.

For yeast infections and toothaches, you would need to dilute oregano oil much much further than the max of 1%. I would try one drop of oregano EO in one ounce of coconut oil and test it carefully on the skin before use. It will still be very effective! (source)

A 1% dilution can also be used as an effective muscle rub after strenuous activity and even for sore joints due to arthritic pain and inflammation. (source)

Apply it to the abdomen to help relax the digestive tract and soothe cramping, bloating, and digestive discomfort.

If mixed in water, it can be used as a sore throat spray. Try just one drop of oregano essential oil in one ounce of water and coat the back of the throat to help fight infection. For my favorite sore throat spray recipe, check out my post here.

Internally

You can actually find oregano oil in capsule form that you can take internally. This is not the essential oil, but rather a very potent extraction from the herb itself in olive oil that is known to fight cold and flu, especially respiratory infections. (source)

This method can also be used to treat candida and SIBO as well as for fighting off intestinal worms and parasites and treating the stomach flu. (source)

This is the one I recommend. You can even get it in liquid form to add to homemade wellness shots or to make your own capsules.

In the Home

One of the other oregano oil benefits you may not know about is its ability to kill viruses, bacteria, and even mold in the home when added to homemade house cleaning products.

I suggest checking out this post of my top 12 natural house cleaning recipes and add in a drop or two of oregano essential oil instead for scouring your home of germs.

Oregano may not smell as pleasant as say, lavender or lemon essential oil, but it will kill germs like no tomorrow!

What have been your favorite oregano oil benefits? Please share them in the comments below!

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The Benefits and Properties of Magnolia Flower Essential Oil
Citrus Essential Oils – Essential Oils 101
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Essential Oil Profiles and Therapeutic Uses