Oregano oil is a popular supplement with a multitude of applications and health benefits. From acne to infections, it is a useful natural remedy that usually works very fast. Oregano oil is used topically or internally, thought it MUST be diluted first!
Oregano oil is the essential oil of the oregano plant that is popular in cooking. The oil is highly concentrated. Oregano oil and oregano the spice are NOT interchangeable. In fact if 1 drop of oregano essential oil is substituted in a recipe that calls for a teaspoon of oregano leaf spice the recipe will be absolutely ruined.
Oregano oil contains carvacrol and thymol. These substances are the antioxidants and antimicrobials which make oregano oil so useful. Oregano oil is an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. This makes it useful as a broad spectrum treatment when the root cause of a health condition is unknown. Oregano oil is also potent against gram positive bacteria like strep, staph and tetanus.1
Oregano oil is sold in a few different ways so attention must be paid to labeling to ensure proper dosing. Oregano essential oil is sometimes labeled oregano oil. Both are essential oils. Either may be diluted in a carrier oil. 100% oregano oil or 100% oregano essential oil are BOTH 100% oregano oil. 25% oregano oil is ¼ oregano essential oil and ¾ carrier oil, often olive oil. Oregano spirits is a tincture of the oregano leaf; it is not the same thing as oregano essential oil. Though they are not identical, they may be useful for similar conditions.
It is critical to dilute oregano oil before using. If a product comes pre-diluted (i.e. 25% oregano oil,) it does not have to be diluted, thought it may be further diluted especially for use by sensitive individuals or children.
To dilute oregano, add it to a “carrier oil.” Coconut oil, olive oil or castor oil are each excellent carrier oils. To make a 25% concentration of oregano oil, add 1 part 100% oregano oil to 3 parts of another oil. (Perhaps 1 teaspoon oregano oil plus 3 teaspoons olive oil.)
For fungal issues like ringworm or athlete’s foot, coconut oil is a perfect carrier oil. When using oregano oil for pain relief, castor oil is a great choice since it also has pain relieving properties.
Test a small area of the skin before using oregano oil on it, even diluted. It is still very strong at a 25% concentration!
Never use oregano oil (or any essential oil in the eyes or ears!) When using essential oils near the ear or eyes or near sensitive parts of the body, dilute thoroughly. For example, 5 drops of oregano oil to 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil.
If oregano oil gets onto the skin and burns the skin, add an oil to the skin to dilute it. If oregano oil accidentally gets into the eye, add some olive oil or milk to the eye to dilute the oil. (Ideally use a milk that contains fat to dilute the oil better.)
Oregano oil should not be put directly in the mouth without diluting. It can be diluted as described above before taking internally. An internal dose of oregano oil is by the drop! One or two drops is plenty for a dose; it is very strong! If you have 25% oregano oil after diluting, 8 drops of that diluted oil will equal two drops of pure oregano oil.
Oregano oil may irritate the stomach if taken on an empty stomach. Taking oregano oil with a bit of food, especially some food with fat in it is ideal.
Adding a drop of oregano oil to a glass of water to dilute it is not a good idea. The oil will float on the top and likely burn the lips or mouth on the way in. It will not dilute or dissolve in water! Adding it to full fat milk is a better option if it is desired to add it to a liquid to dose it. Oregano oil can be added to empty gel caps to take it in a pill form. There are also commercial preparations of oregano oil in gel-cap form.
Oregano oil can be added to coconut oil for oil pulling. Add 1 drop of oregano oil to 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil for oil pulling. Oregano oil used this way is especially useful for oral or tooth infections.
Oregano oil can be used in the sinuses if it is very diluted! Add 1 drop of oregano oil to 2 tablespoons coconut oil or castor oil. (Coconut oil for sinus infections and castor oil for polyps.) Then drop a few drops of the oil mixture into each nostril and snuff it up into the sinuses.
Diluted oregano oil can be massaged into the back or chest for coughing. (5 drops oregano oil for each tablespoon olive or almond oil.)
For viruses oregano oil can be massaged into the bottoms of the feet, several drops of diluted oil onto the bottom of each foot, several times a day.
For sinus congestion and coughing, 1 drop of oregano oil can be added to 1 cup of boiling water. The resulting steam can be gently inhaled. Alternately, add 1 drop oregano oil to the floor of the shower and take a steamy shower. This will help to clear out the lungs.
There are many oregano oils available that are effective. Check the local health food store, large natural grocery store or online. There are several expensive oregano oil products available through personal distributors. While these are usually high quality oils, oils of similar quality are available without the use of distributors and are usually significantly less expensive.
Have you used oregano oil for a health problem? Please send us some feedback!
Continue reading to see how our readers have used oregano oil.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25763467
