15 Oregano Oil Uses & Benefits for Body and Mental Health

Source: 15 Oregano Oil Uses & Benefits for Body and Mental Health

by Dr. Edward Group

Without a doubt, oregano oil is one of the best natural supplements you can get. It’s produced from the perennial herb oregano and loaded with free-radical-crushing antioxidants. A growing body of research has shown that oregano oil offers many positive health benefits and is one of the most potent natural remedies in existence. ^[1] In particular, there has been a significant evaluation of its effects against harmful organisms; investigations even been made by major pharmaceutical companies. Let’s take a look at why there’s so much interest in oregano oil and its 15 best uses.

What Are the Top 15 Uses for Oregano Oil?

Immune System Support
Protection Against Harmful Organisms
Promotes a Balanced Mood
Digestive Aid
Menstrual Aid
Supports Graceful Aging
Allergy Support
Weight Loss
Eases Discomfort
May Help You Feel Better When You Have a Cold
Calms Lip Blemishes
Helps with Food Preservation
Promotes Intestinal Balance
Encourages Normal Yeast Balance
Supports Liver Health

1. Immune System Support

There’s a lot of evidence to show that oregano oil is a powerful tool for the immune system, especially when it encounters outside invaders. One study straight from the United States Department of Agriculture reported that oregano oil has such a strong action against germs that it could easily defeat Salmonella. ^[2]

These findings were echoed by researchers at the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at Georgetown University Medical Center who said, “New, safe agents are needed to…overcome harmful organisms… Based on our previous experience and that of others, we postulated that herbal essential oils, such as those of origanum (oregano oil) offer such possibilities.” ^[3]

2. Protection Against Harmful Organisms

If you’ve consumed undercooked meat or impure water, or other risky actions, harmful organisms are likely to be residing inside of your body. Thankfully, oregano oil is shown to be extremely useful for getting rid of these unwanted invaders. One study examined the relationship between oregano oil and harmful organisms and found that taking 600 mg of oregano oil daily prompted a complete disappearance of harmful organisms in the body.^[4]

3. Promotes a Balanced Mood

Studies have found that some compounds in oregano oil, including carvacrol, thymol, and terpinene may positively influence the nervous system and mind. Aromatherapy with oregano oil seems to promote a healthy mood, reduce stress, and inhibit emotional abnormalities.^[1]

4. Digestive Aid

I’ve said it a million times — health begins in the gut! Good digestion is absolutely necessary to experience good health. While I recommend using an oxygen-based colon cleanser to clean out your digestive tract, stopping the build-up in the first place needs to be part of the plan, and oregano oil can help. Oregano oil is known to stimulate the flow of bile into the digestive organs, enhancing the digestive process.^[5]

5. Menstrual Aid

Irregular, uncomfortable periods and unpleasant effects from menopause are a big problem for many women; one of the best natural remedies is oregano oil. It may actually help support regular menstruation^[6] and protect against negative menopause experiences.^[7] For women, this is a substantial bonus to the already lengthy list of uses and effects of oregano oil.

6. Supports Graceful Aging

Perhaps the hottest health trend of the past few years is the science of combating aging. It’s important to understand that aging is largely affected by oxidation and free radicals, which is why antioxidants are so effective. Oregano oil offers a huge amount of antioxidants that can aid in the defense against these aging-accelerators.^[8]

7. Allergy Support

If you suffer from allergies and environmental sensitivities, the soothing properties of oregano oil are appealing. Oregano oil can produce a sedating effect on the hypersensitivity of allergies, which ultimately encourages relief.^[1] For those wishing to avoid harsh medications, oregano oil may be a natural alternative for curtailing the undesirable effects associated with environmental sensitivities.

8. Weight Loss

In addition to its reputation as a natural immune booster, oregano oil also packs a punch against unwanted body fat. Its main active ingredient, carvacrol, is thought to modulate genes and reduce irritation in white adipose tissue. In one study, when fed a high-fat diet, mice not given carvacrol quickly became obese. In contrast, mice given carvacrol gained significantly less weight and even had lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in their blood.^[9]

9. Eases Discomfort

Aches and stiffness can wreak havoc and negatively impact your quality of life. Many people use oil of oregano topically and say that it feels like it goes deep inside their skin to relieve sore joints and muscle discomfort.^[6] Simply create a 50/50 mixture of organic oregano oil and organic olive oil and apply topically to the affected area for relief. If you suffer from sore muscles, sports injuries, and backaches, this is one benefit you’ll appreciate.

10. May Help You Feel Better When You Have a Cold

Oregano oil isn’t a cure for the cold, but it can help you feel better. The essential oil can help promote easy breathing, calm a cough, and soothe a sore throat.^[6] Many people claim that when they start to feel under the weather, they place 3-6 drops into an empty capsule and take 2-3 times daily before meals. A 5-10 day regimen has been reported as doing wonders.

11. Calms Lip Blemishes

Many people apply oregano oil to lip blemishes with the belief it will help soothe the area and accelerate healing time. Research is ongoing to pinpoint the validity of this use. Carvacrol may promote resistance against the harmful organisms that cause lip blemishes. Oregano’s soothing abilities on skin-related issues, however, may help calm blemishes on the lips.^[10, 11]

12. Helps With Food Preservation

Spices and herbs, like oregano, have a long history of food preservation and safety. Many types of food, especially raw meat, are a haven for harmful bacteria. Oregano oil may help resist harmful organisms. In one study, a concentrated application of carvacrol slowed the growth of lab cultures or caused them to stop multiplying altogether.^[12] Other studies show that essential oils, including oregano, halt the spread of organisms in spoiled fruit juice^[13] and aged meat.^[14]

13. Promotes Intestinal Balance

Maintaining a proper balance of healthy bacteria in your intestines and gut is crucial for supporting good health. A healthy colony of intestinal flora encourages proper digestion and boosts the immune system. Good bacteria also support the immune system and help balance mood. Carvacrol may help promote gut health by creating an appropriate balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria.^[15]

14. Encourages Normal Yeast Balance

Yeast and fungus exist everywhere, even on and in the human body; total eradication is next to impossible. Balance, however, is both desirable and achievable with the help of carvacrol. In a study that examined the use of essential oils as a means to address fungus, carvacrol was among the most effective.^[16] Likewise, oregano oil is helpful for promoting balanced candida, a fungus that commonly falls out of balance from poor diet, stress, or antibiotics.^[17]

15. Supports Liver Health

Toxins exist in our water, food, and even the air we breathe. The ever-present barrage of toxins in our environment is extraordinary, and the burden it places on the liver is equally mind-boggling. Carvacrol may support the normal function of the liver, the body’s primary detoxifying organ.^[18]

Supplementing With Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is an absolute must-have item for any medicine cabinet or emergency kit. The array of benefits it offers makes it one of the best all-around supplements you can get. Remember, as with any health product, quality matters tremendously.

Oregatrex™, Global Healing Center’s oregano oil blend, is organic, has an extra virgin olive oil base, and at least 80% carvacrol. It’s also blended with peppermint oil and capsaicin (the compound that gives peppers their heat) for added resistance to harmful organisms.^[19, 20]

It’s easy to get started with an organic oregano oil blend like Oregatrex. Simply shake the bottle, place 1-6 drops in a vegetarian capsule (included), and take at the beginning of your meal, 2-3 times daily or as recommended by your physician. Capsaicin is a great ingredient and wonderful substance in its own right, but it is hot, so it’s best to avoid consuming oregano oil liquid directly. Keep it away from your eyes and don’t leave it where children or pets could get into it.

Your Story

Is oregano oil a staple in your home? What’s your favorite benefit? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us!

References (20)

Singletary, Keith. “Oregano.” Nutrition Today, vol. 45, no. 3, May 2010, pp. 129–138.
Moore-Neibel, K, et al. “Antimicrobial Activity of Oregano Oil Against Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Enterica on Organic Leafy Greens at Varying Exposure Times and Storage Temperatures.” Food Microbiology., vol. 34, no. 1, 19 Mar. 2013, pp. 123–9. Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.
Preuss, HG, et al. “Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Herbal Essential Oils and Monolaurin for Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria.” Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry., vol. 272, 14 July 2005, pp. 29–34. Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.
Force, Mark, et al. “Inhibition of Enteric Parasites by Emulsified Oil of Oregano in Vivo.” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 14, no. 3, May 2000, pp. 213–214.
“Oregano.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 June 2016, Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.
Wilson, R. “The Essential Guide to Essential Oils.” United States, Avery Publishing Group Inc.,U.S., 8 Sept. 2016.
Zack, Pers. “Essential Oils for Healing.” Lulu Press, 27 Dec. 2016.
Bozin, B, et al. “Characterization of the Volatile Composition of Essential Oils of Some Lamiaceae Spices and the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of the Entire Oils.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry., vol. 54, no. 5, 2 Mar. 2006, pp. 1822–8. Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.
Cho, Soomin, et al. “Carvacrol Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity by Modulating Gene Expressions Involved in Adipogenesis and Inflammation in Mice Fed with High-Fat Diet.” The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, vol. 23, no. 2, 1 Feb. 2012, pp. 192–201. Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.
Lai L, et al. “Inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 by thymol-related monoterpenoids.” Planta Medica. October 2012.
Han X, et al. “Anti-inflammatory, tissue remodeling, immunomodulatory, and anticancer activities of oregano(Origanum vulgare) essential oil in a human skin disease model.” Biochim Open. 2017 Mar 3;4:73-77.
Picone G, et al. “Evaluation of the effect of carvacrol on the Escherichia coli 555 metabolome by using (1)H-NMR spectroscopy.” Food Chemistry. December 2013.
Helal A, et al. “Antimicrobial Activity of Some Essential Oils Against Microorganisms Deteriorating Fruit Juices.” Mycobiology. 2006;34(4):219-229.
Cenci AM, Ugalde ML, Steffens J, Valduga E, Cansian RL, Toniazzo G. “Control of Penicillium sp. on the Surface of Italian Salami Using Essential Oils.” Food Technology and Biotechnology. 2015;53(3):342-347.
Michiels J, et al. “Effects of dose and formulation of carvacrol and thymol on bacteria and some functional traits of the gut in piglets after weaning.” Archives of Animal Nutrition. April 2010.
Zabka M, et al. “Antifungal efficacy of some natural phenolic compounds against significant pathogenic and toxinogenic filamentous fungi.” Chemosphere. June 2013.
Azimi H, et al. “A comprehensive review of vaginitis phytotherapy. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences.” November 2011. PMID: 22514885.
Nafees S, et al. “Carvacrol ameliorates thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity by abrogation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in liver of Wistar rats. Human and Experimental Toxocology.” August 2013. PMID: 23925945.
Pattnaik, S, et al. “Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Ten Essential Oils in Vitro.” Microbios., vol. 86, no. 349, 1 Jan. 1996, pp. 237–46. Accessed 1 Mar. 2017.
Omolo, Morrine A, et al. “Antimicrobial Properties of Chili Peppers.” Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy, vol. 02, no. 04, 2014. Accessed 27 Feb. 2017.

15 Oregano Oil Uses & Benefits for Body and Mental Health