Oregano Oil Benefits for Infections, Fungus & Even the Common Cold

 

Oregano oil is a powerful, plant-derived essential oil with antibiotic-like properties — antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal — when it comes to treating or preventing various infections. In fact, it contains properties that are .

Oregano oil benefits extend beyond just controlling infections. Common examples of conditions that oregano oil can help manage include Athlete’s foot or toenail fungus, common colds, gingivitis, earaches or toothaches, and digestive problems.

What Is Oregano Oil?

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that is a member of the mint family (Labiatae). For over 2,500 years in folk medicines that originated across the globe.

It has a very long use in traditional medicine for treating colds, indigestion and upset stomachs.

Found in the Mediterranean, throughout many parts of Europe, and in South and Central Asia, medicinal grade oregano is distilled to extract the essential oil from the herb, which is where a high concentration of the herb’s active constituents are found. It takes over 1,000 pounds of wild oregano to produce just one pound of oregano essential oil.

Oil of oregano contains two powerful compounds called carvacrol and thymol, both of which have been shown in studies to have strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Benefits

Here’s a look at the top health benefits of oregano oil:

1. Natural Alternative to Antibiotics
2. Fights Infections and Bacterial Overgrowth
3. Helps Treat Athlete’s Foot
4. Helps Treat Digestive Issues (Including SIBO and Heartburn)
5. Can Help Treat Parasites
6. Helpful for Managing Inflammatory Conditions (such as IBD or Rheumatism)
7. May Help Improve Cholesterol Levels

How to Use

Oregano oil uses:

• Natural Antibiotic: Dilute it with a carrier oil, and apply it topically to the soles of your feet or take it internally for 10 days at a time and then cycle off.
• Battle Candida and Fungal Overgrowth: For toenail fungus, you can make a homemade antifungal powder that can be applied to your skin. Combine the ingredients with about 3 drops of oregano oil, stir and then sprinkle the powder onto your feet. For internal use, take 2 to 4 drops twice daily for up to 10 days.
• Fight Pneumonia and Bronchitis: For external infections, apply 2 to 3 diluted drops to the affected area.
• Help Remove Warts: Make sure to dilute it with another oil or mix it with clay.
• Cleanse Mold From the Home: Add 5 to 7 drops to a homemade cleaning solution along with tea tree oil and lavender.

Risks, Side Effects and Interactions

You may be asking: What limits does oil of oregano have? At this point, it’s not perfectly clear.

To prevent negative skin reactions from oregano application, it’s recommended that you perform a small patch test first and always use a carrier oil.

The dried herb oregano is typically fine for pregnant women, but generally speaking, it’s not considered safe to use oregano oil during pregnancy. When using oil of oregano, pregnant women should use caution and only use if instructed by their physicians to do so.

If side effects such as nausea, dizziness or an allergic reaction are ever experienced, stop using oregano oil right away, and consider seeing a doctor.

Conclusion

• Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb used to make oil of oregano, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Oregano oil health benefits include fighting bacterial infections, fungal infections, digestive problems, inflammatory conditions and tumor growth.
• Oil of oregano can be used on the skin (such as to treat athlete’s foot or nail fungus), diffused such as to aid digestion and help promote gut health.