Oil of Oregano BenefitsOil of Oregano can be used topically or internally. I provide some general information about the oil here on this website, and I encourage our readers to do additional research as well.
Again, please continue your own in-depth research on any supplemental products you may be considering to help your body regain its natural balance. Herbs are natural, but they can still be very strong, especially in extract form, such as in a product like Oil of Oregano. Steven Foster, expert on medicinal plants and herbs, and author of numerous books on the subject credits Oil of Oregano in the treatment of indigestion, diarrhea, nervous tension, insect bites, toothache, earache, rheumatism, coughs and bronchitis in his book entitled Herbal Renaissance (Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1993, originally printed under the title Herbal Bounty in 1984). To be safe for internal use, oregano essential oil must be made from only the wild, mountain-grown varieties of the Mediterranean. A safe bet is to only buy oil made from Origanum vulgare. This oregano species has low levels of thymol (less than 2%), which is an antimicrobial compound with known toxicity at certain higher levels. Full strength oil can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. But emulsifying oregano essential oil in a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil makes it gentler to the skin and mucous membranes, as well as the delicate lining of the digestive tract. Oregano has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties which actually help to relieve inflamed or spastic tissue of the digestive tract lining. Some companies, especially ones producing the oil as a supplement for internal use or external body application, will already have the Oil of Oregano infused into a carrier oil. Others, offering Oregano Oil in the essential oil form (such as for aromatherapy), may bottle it full strength, in which case you'll want to dilute it in a carrier oil before using internally or applying to the body. To make your own infusion, simply use a small empty glass dropper bottle, fill it 3/4's full with extra virgin olive oil, and then fill it the rest of the way with Organic Oregano Oil. Cap it and gently shake it to combine the oils well.  Oil of Oregano has a really strong taste, but I actually love it. You can add it to salad dressings, or try a few drops stirred into a serving of good Italian style meat sauce, stew or chili. The flavor can be really strong, especially to those with a sensitive palate, or anyone not used to eating hot or spicy foods. If the taste is too much, just put a small amount of water into a shot glass, add a few drops of the oregano oil, and knock it back! Always follow a dose like this with a large glass of water – it’s strong stuff. Most children will not like the taste of it, plus, its strength may be too much for kids. If your health care practitioner recommends Oil of Oregano for treating your child, you can use a topical application of the oil, diluted into a carrier oil, to be applied to the soles of little ones' feet, which allows for a gentler introduction of the beneficial compounds into a child's system (through absorption rather than ingestion). Follow the recommendations of the producer of the oil. A reputable producer will have detailed information available on the do's and don'ts for using their product. Oil of Oregano Benefits - Minerals and vitamins Oil of Oregano is rich in minerals including potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, and magnesium, copper, boron and maganese to name a few. Oregano also contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Niacin. Oil of Oregano Benefits: Anti-pathenogenic Next time you feel a sore throat or flu-like symptoms coming on, you might like to try using Oil of Oregano to help your body’s natural defenses. There are a number of different phenols in Oregano Oil; carvarcol being the most potent. Carvarcol is antiviral, antifungal (as in Candida Albicans yeast), antibacterial and antiparasitic. It has been demonstrated to kill not only Candida Albicans yeasts, but also Aspergillus Mold, Staphylococcus (think food poisoning), E. Coli, and Giardia, among other pathenogic organisms. Another phenol in Oil of Oregano is called thymol, which is an immune booster as well, in proper dosages. We mentioned it before, but let's repeat it here: High levels of thymol can be toxic, which is why it's especially important to purchase your oil from a reputable producer, and make sure it's made from Origanum vulgare only. Oil of Oregano Benefits: Antioxidant Power Both of these compounds (carvarcol and thymol) act as free radical scavengers, also known as antioxidants, Free radicals are the result of weakened molecular bonds in the body and are highly unstable. The increase in the formation of free radicals can be attributed to age, environmental toxins found in air and water pollution, cigarette smoke, toxic chemical cleaners and pesticides. A free radical scavenger is defined as “the cascade of chemical reactions that occurs when a free radical reacts with another molecule in order to gain an electron. The molecule that loses an electron to the free radical then becomes a free radical, repeating the process until the energy of the free radical is spent, or the reaction is stopped by an antioxidant.” (source: www.worldheath.net) Oil of Oregano Benefits – Topical Treatment for Fungal Infections of Skin or Nails Oil of Oregano is one of the best topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails. Mix 5 – 10 drops with one teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil to apply to fungal skin infections, or use it straight on toenails and fingernails. You can also apply it in full strength to warts. Remember to dilute it with olive oil or coconut oil before applying it to sensitive areas of your skin. Don’t apply it in full strength to your genital areas, it will feel like its burning. I’m not kidding when I say this stuff is strong. Oil of Oregano Benefits – Topical Treatment for Oral Hygiene & Oral Infections You can safely apply Oregano Oil in full strength to your teeth and gums where there is infection present. This is great for canker sores or inflamed gums. It also kills the bacteria that cause plaque, so you might like to try adding a drop to your toothpaste before brushing your teeth. Oil of Oregano Benefits – Decongestant and Anti-Allergy Oregano Oil contains natural antihistamines and decongestants. I have tried this for myself and it works. I am prone to spring pollen allergies and late summer hay fever allergies. I have taken 5 or 6 drops of Oregano Oil diluted with olive oil in a small shot glass of water, followed by another glass of water and the relief is noticeable. Less sneezing, less congestion, less itchy eyes and nose. Oil of Oregano Benefits – Anti-inflammatory, Pain Reliever Taken internally, as well as applied topically, diluted Oregano Oil will be of great relief to people suffering from arthritis, joint pain, and tendonitis. When your joints or tendons are inflamed, diluted Oregano Oil applied topically can penetrate deeply beneath the skin’s surface to help reduce swelling and pain. Taken internally it acts as a powerful pain reliever.
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