The miracle of
oregano oil and its uses
Oregano oil is an oil made from the plant Origanum
vulgare: also called as the oregano plant. The oregano plant is best known for
its use in Italian dishes. The dried and crushed leaves of oregano is used as an
herb to flavor many dishes.
This flavorful herb plant also gives us
other opportunities to reap its benefits. Oregano oil is an oil which is
scientifically proven to fight bacteria, viruses, fungus, and microbes. While
oregano oil is also believed to have properties that can help with
inflammation, diabetes, and to suppress cancer agents.
Oregano oil is made from the leaves and the
shoot of the plant. The parts of the plant is completely dried. Then, when the
leaves and shoot are dry, oil is extracted from them. The oil is purified by
the use of stream distillation method.
Steam distillation is used to separate two
components that are mixed and form a heterogeneous mixture. Stream distillation
method is useful for the purification of essential oils.
Oregano oil is a mixture of three
beneficial components. These components are
·
Carvacrol
·
Thymol
·
Rosmarinic acid
Each of these are beneficial for different
purposes and work all together to fight many diseases.
Carvacrol is a type of carbolic acid which
is present in oregano. Carvacrol helps in stopping the growth of many types of
bacteria.
Thymol is known for its natural ability to
curb fungus and also strengthen immune system while protecting it from harmful
toxins.
Rosmarinic acid is a natural antioxidant
that helps to reduce the number of free radicals in the body. Molecules that
have uneven number of electrons and carry oxygen in blood are called free
radicals.
Free radicals are very bad for health. The
molecules can cause long chain reactions in the body, known as oxidation.
Sometimes the molecules can cause a lot of health issues. The issues can be
related to heart problems, inflammation, cancer, and cataract. Oregano oil when
taken correctly can help to reduce the risk of such diseases.
Oregano oil is used differently for
different purposes. The three ways to use oregano oil is to take it orally,
inhale with steam, and used topically. Oregano oil and oregano essential oil
are made of different components. Any essential oil is not meant to be taken
orally while oils can be consumed to get their benefits.
Oregano oil when taken orally, mixed with
water, coconut oil, or in any form can help to improve digestion and prevent
intestinal diseases. It is important to talk to a professional practitioner
before incorporating any new habits for medicinal benefits.
Is oregano oil antiviral or antibacterial?
The herb related to the mint family is not
only antiviral but also antibacterial. Oregano is rich with carvacrol and
carvacrol has the ability to fight both viruses and bacteria. Oregano oil can
be used orally to fight viruses while topologically to fight skin infections
and other problems caused by bacteria.
How Does Oregano Oil Kill Bacteria?
Oregano oil when used topologically can
kill bacteria in up to 24 hours after use. In a study research, Aeruginosa
IQ0042 cells and AF0005 cells were exposed to oregano oil for an hour, the
result of it was that the cell membrane and the cell wall was damaged and
caused leak in intercellular substances and finally the cell wall separating.
This shows oregano’s ability to kill bacteria and break it down. Although it came
into researchers knowledge that some bacteria and microbes have developed a
resistance to oregano oil treatment.
Oregano oil used with a carrier oil can be
effective to treats acne, toothaches, warts, dandruff, etc. Oregano oil is also
effective in treating flu and cold. Oregano oil can be used to treat
respiratory problems by inhaling oregano oil with steam. Or, you can use
oregano to make tea and consume it. Don’t take more than four cups of oregano
tea in a day as it might cause upset stomach.
Oregano Essential Oil Rather Than
Pharmaceutical Antibiotics
In many studies, oregano oil has been
proven to be effective to fight against drug-resistant bacteria.
In a study conducted on 18 mice, the mice
were infected with staph and then when treated with oregano oil, the oregano
oil was very effective in eliminating staph bacteria. Hence, we can say oregano
oil has major antibacterial properties.
While in a test-tube study, the oil was
directly compared to pharmaceuticals antibiotics such as streptomycin, penicillin
and vancomycin, and oregano oil performed just as well as the commercial antibiotics.
Some people was make their own homemade
oregano oil. To make it oregano leaves and a carrier oil like coconut oil is
heated on a double boiler to seep the leaves. The oil then is left for few days
before using. The benefits of oregano is mentioned by Hobdari family health as
well. They mention that a little bit of oregano oil can go a long way to treat
diarrhea and there is no need for medicine. Let the nature do the healing.
Health benefits of oregano oil
Oregano is a miracle herb which not only is
flavorful but also has many striking health benefits. As oregano is a
combination of Carvacrol, Thymol, and Rosmarinic acid; this makes oregano a
huge source of terpenes, phenols, and
terpenoids from its natural components.
1.
Antibiotic properties
Oregano oil is one of the best natural
antibiotics. The content of carvacrol in oregano acts as a natural antibiotic.
Research has shown that oregano is as effective as commercial antibiotics. The
herb can be give many health benefits to humans but research hasn’t been
particularly conducted on humans. The usage of such health supplements should
be very careful.
2.
Helps in control cholesterol
The presence of phenol, thymol, and
carvacrol is proved to be effective to control cholesterol and increase good
cholesterol. In a study that included 48 people who had high cholesterols, were
given oregano oil in their diet to understand its effects on cholesterol. At
the end of the study people showed reduced levels of cholesterols after three
months.
3.
Rich in antioxidants
Oregano oil has the highest level of
oxidants when compared with more herbs for its antioxidant quantities. Oregano
has more per gram antioxidants than apples and exceed many herbs. The
antioxidants present in oregano can help fight free radicals which cause
chronic diseases.
Very small quantity of oregano oil can be
useful to reap its benefits.
4.
Helps in treating yeast
infections
Oregano can be helpful in getting rid of
yeast infections. Yeast is a type of fungus and oregano oil has antifungal
properties. In a test conducted, oregano oil was found to be the most effective
towards a yeast infection out of all the essential oils.
5.
Relieves pain
Oregano oil was proven to relieve pain in
mice. In the study, when mice were given oregano oil, they felt less pain. It
concludes that oregano has pain relief properties but the study hasn’t been
conducted on humans.
6.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Study has shown that oregano oil can have
anti-inflammatory effects on the body. In the study conducted on mice, swelling
on ear and paws was reduced when contacted with oregano oil.
7.
Improves gut health
Oregano can help in treating gut infections
and diarrhea and other symptoms. In a research conducted on humans, oregano oil
doses proved to be effective in reducing the harmful bacteria and increase good
gut bacteria. The people infected felt a relief from the gut symptoms.
8.
Can help in fighting cancer
cells
Carvacrol is not only antibacterial but
only it has shown good results in many studies in its ability to fight cancer
cells. Oregano oil can be effective to fight lung, breast, and liver cancer
cells. Carvacrol has been proven to be effective to stop cell growth but the
research has not been conducted on humans.
The use of oregano oil demands more
research in terms of fighting cancer cells.
9.
Helps in losing weight
Carvacrol is a component that can help in
reversing the formation of fat cells and help in not gaining weight. Oregano
oil is filled with carvacrol and taking this supplement on a regular basis in
small doses can help in reducing weight and maintaining the weight.
Please use this herb with caution as the
oil is highly concentrated and should be taken in very small amounts.
Side Effects of Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is very different from its
leaves we use for cooking. Oregano oil is very concentrated in nature. Using
the right doses of oregano is generally safe but some people can suffer from
some side effects.
The side effects can be the caused because
of over usage or inappropriate usage.
Using too much of oregano oil can cause
side effects because of its highly concentrated components.
Oregano oil can be used orally to get its
health benefits but in some people it can cause
·
Vomiting
·
Upset stomach
·
Central hyperactivity
·
Sickness
Thymol in large amounts can cause
irritation reactions in the body affecting organs and skin. It is also
advisable that you do not consume oregano oil if you are allergic to mint,
lavender, sage, and basil. As oregano belongs to the plant family.
You should always consider talking to your
doctor before and also be aware of any precautions of any medical supplement.
When used topologically, oregano oil should
be mixed with a carrier oil. Use of oregano oil can cause the skin to form
rashes. Please read all instructions carefully on the package before using
oregano oil.
Oregano oil is not recommendable to
children and women who are pregnant. As oregano oil is rich in many components
and there is an absence of oregano oil related research which makes it not
ideal to be used for children and/or pregnant women.
Frequently asked questions
What bacteria does oregano oil kill?
Study shows that oregano oil helps in removing
bad bacteria overgrowth. Oregano oil is rich in carvacrol which is very
effective to fight bad bacteria like staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus
epidermidis. These bacteria cause bacterial infections and Oregano oil helps in
eliminating many infection-causing bacteria.
Can oregano oil kill fungus?
Oregano essential oil helps in killing
fungus. The herb essential oil can help in treating skin infections caused by
fungus. Oregano oil is rich in the component thymol that possesses anti-fungal
properties. Oregano oil can also be helpful in treating infections like
ringworms and athlete’s foot.
Is oregano good for bacterial infections?
As oregano oil is a natural antibiotic and
being rich in Thymol, Carvacrol, and Rosmarinic acid makes it a great remedy to
treat bacterial infections. Using oregano oil is also effective for treating
wounds and killing MRSAs.
Is oil of oregano the same as oregano
essential oil?
Oregano oil and oregano oil are different.
Both are products made from oregano plant, oregano oil is the oil extracted
from oregano leaf while oregano essential oil is also extracted from oregano
leaf but is much more concentrated in form.
Oregano oil can be used orally but oregano
essential oil cannot be used orally. Oregano essential oil is to be used
topologically, inhaled, and used as an aroma.
Does oregano oil kill streptococcus?
Yes, Test tube studies has shown that components
of garlic oil and oregano oil are the best alternate treatment for
streptococcus. These are the natural treatments for various health benefits and
antibacterial properties.
Does Oregano p73 kill good bacteria?
No. Oregano p73 refers to the oregano that
has 73 per cent polyphenol. Oregano p73 is an amazing rick source of vitamins
and minerals. Oregano p73 has antiviral properties, antifungal properties, antioxidant
properties, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Oregano oil p73 does not kill good bacteria
and helps in removing bacteria overgrowth.
References
https://www.newswise.com/articles/oregano-oil-kills-drug-resistant-bacteria
https://www.healthline.com/health/oregano-oil-side-effects#dosage-andguidelines
https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-steam-distillation-605690
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-oregano-oil-benefits-and-uses#What-is-oregano-oil?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits-89490