Oregano Oil

Oregano Oil Benefits

Oregano oil is extracted from the Oregano plant, Origanum vulgare, which is a member of the mint (Labiatae) family. It is probably most widely known as a popular culinary herb, used for the flavour of its leaves. Oregano has an earthy, warm, and slightly bitter taste that can vary in intensity. As a spice, it lends itself exceptionally well to tomato-centric recipes, like pizza and pasta sauce and olive oil-based dishes.

Oregano has also been used as an essential oil for over 2,500 years in traditional medicine for everything from treating colds to gastrointestinal complaints, bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasites, viruses, inflammation, and many others.

The fragrance of oregano essential oil may best be described as a rich, powerful, spicy, camphor-like aroma. Carvacrol is one of the most potent active ingredients in oregano and is responsible for most of its medicinal benefits. Other potent constituents in oregano include thymol, eugenol, and rosmarinic acid. For optimal efficacy, natural health practitioners typically recommend looking for oregano oil that contains at least 70% carvacrol.

Benefits of Oregano Essential Oil

• Antioxidant Protection
• Boosts Immune Function
• Cleansing & Purifying
• Helps Eliminate Mucus & Phlegm
• Improves Respiratory Health
• Encourages Healthy Digestion

Therapeutic Properties of Oregano Essential Oil

This oil is known for its powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It's often described as a natural antibiotic thanks to its ability to treat or prevent various infections. Oregano essential oil is frequently recommended in diffusion or in massage (diluted in a carrier oil) to treat respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and croup, sinus infections and allergies, Candida, yeast infections, and cystitis, as well as ringworm and athlete’s foot. 

This oil is a powerful cleansing and purifying agent that can also be mixed with water in a spritzer bottle and used to disinfect surfaces and freshen the air.

Using Essential Oils

Unlike the fresh herb used in cooking, oregano oil is far more concentrated, so it should be used sparingly and diluted appropriately in carrier oil before applying it to the skin. Moreover, it should never be used on broken skin or on or near the eyes or other sensitive areas. 

Oregano essential oil can cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals. If you have a known allergy or sensitivity to oregano or other plants in the Lamiaceae family, such as mint, sage, basil, and lavender, do not use oregano essential oil.