Oregano Oil
Health Benefits

Oregano Oil - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Apr 14, 2025
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Oregano Oil Health Benefits

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.

How to Use Oregano Oil Topically

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.)

How to Use Oregano Oil Internally

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.

Other Ways to Use Oregano Oil

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.

Oregano Oil Benefits

  • Acne
  • Toenail Fungus
  • Ringworm
  • Psoriasis
  • Eczema
  • Warts
  • Skin Tags
  • Growths
  • Insect Bites
  • Boils
  • Cough
  • Flu
  • Colds
  • Sore Throat
  • Strep Throat
  • Tonsillitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis

Which Oregano Oil Should I Use?

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


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Vaginal and Intestinal Bacterial Infection

Posted by Tracey K. (Waldorf, Maryland ) on 08/19/2020
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Hello,

I wanted to let you know about the time that I used Oregano essential oil to cure a vaginal and intestinal bacterial infection.

I went to see my doctor and of course she put me on an antibiotic for 10 days. I didn't have any improvement. She then gave me another even stronger antibiotic for another 10 days. I went back a third time and the course was repeated. I was early in my medicinal plant learning at the time and didn't know a lot but decided to take my health into my own hands after being sick for 2 months. What did I have to loose?

I started taking 5 drops of Oregano oil in a shot glass of water morning and night. By the next day the irritation in my vagina was much better. I continued the treatment for 4 more days. By the third day I had no signs or symptoms at all. It was amazing how quickly it helped and never returned.

I swear by Oregano oil for any bacterial or viral infections.

I hope my story can help someone else with taking control of their own health.

Regards,

Tracey K. 🌿


Broad Benefits

Posted by Bob G. (Smithville, On ) on 11/13/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

H! I have been using oregano oil for 12 yrs. I'm currently using it for my allergies in my dog, over 5 yrs now and it still works, I tried all the others and they only partially worked for a short time.

I had some shin problems and cracked skin that would not heal for about 3 months, one time I rubbed oregano on my hands it has not come back that was 12 yrs ago .

I had a severe bug, not a common one but a very powerful one, 4 days taking oregano oil and it was gone and did not come back . Super Bug? Maybe.

I needed a root canal about 8 yrs ago, $1,200.00 was too much. I put oregano in the tooth off and on for about a month and it has not bothered me since, when ever I feel a tooth ache coming on I put oregano on it.

Had some serious lung pain about 5 yrs ago, I do have sensitive lungs due to smoking and bad air, Oregano works for that too, could I go on?

Yes I now use it every day and it keeps me going!


Cutaneous Horn

Posted by Namaw (Bama) on 03/30/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My DH had this growth sprout from the back of his hand that grew and grew. I asked on EC for advice, was told poultice/castor oil/etc. So, he's been putting castor oil on it for months now and binding it with a cloth. No change, just kept growing. Big enough to snag when he puts his hand in his pocket, would bleed. Dermatologist said it needed to be cut off. The appt to do that is in 3 weeks.

Anyway, a week or so ago, he started putting oregano oil on it. Today, it came off! Not completely level with surface, but off! He had one starting to come up on his neck, too, and it also came off but not as completely. He'll keep on doing the oregano oil several times a day.

WOW, I'm blown away! If you google this, the internet is full of pictures of people with these things--they look like antlers and can get huge. God is so good, to provide us with this remedy and EC to spread the word! It may not be completely gone, but I feel it won't take long if he continues the treatment.


Mold Sickness

Posted by Sammy (San Antonio, Tx) on 12/24/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Oil of Oregano after 3 months long nightmare

May of 2009 it started with sore throat and nasal congestion. 7th day i started feeling just fine. 8th day i woke up with a major sore throat then following 7 days i had chills (no fever) diarrhea, coughs, stabbing feeling all over my body. Then i went to see a doctor (no insurance) he said that my tonsils are infected so i have to take antibiotics and for hardship breating he gave me steroids. 4 days later tonsils still swollen and i cant breathe also diarrhea is full throttle. i was drinking 5-6 quarts of water every day. 19th day i went to see same doctor. listened to my lungs, ordered x-ray which came out clean and he told me that i am ok. BUT I WASNT. For diarrhea he diagnosed me with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) 6 days passed and my symphtoms are same but not getting worse.25th day i went and bought a humidifier for my room hoping to be able to sleep better. and also i wanted to close the a/c vent in my room. Right at that point I FACED THE REALITY. MOLD!!! my a/c vent was black in color. Very next day i called a company that tests homes for molds. Results came back in 3 days after i spent $400. my a/c unit had Aspergillus (high levels),Cladosporium (elevated levels) Penicillium (high levels). i went to see the doc again. he told me that its like impossible to prove that my health is bad because of those mold species.And addition to that he told me that skin prick test for this issue is expensive and i dont have insurance so he told me to just rest and pray that i will get better on my own. For the following 2 months i started getting worse. I quit my job. I was hopeless.

Then i read it somewhere on the net that OIL OF OREGANO will do the trick. I cut of eating anything that has yeast and started taking 4 oil of oregano capsuls every 8 hours and taking 1000mg vitamin c every 8 hours.Sublingual B12 25 drops everyday. 2nd day diarrhea gone. 7th day i am almost back to normal.

I hope this will help someone out there. I am a believer of oregano oils antifungal, antiviral, anti bacterial properties.