The Italian cuisine’s signature herb, oregano, is probably best known. But the plant’s leaves give more than just flavour. When taken as an oil, it has phytochemicals that can combat germs and inflammation1. These phytochemicals also have antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Here, we’ll go through the production process for oregano oil, its advantages and disadvantages for your health, and how to use it every day.
Oregano oil: What is it?
The oregano plant, which belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae, is used to produce oil of oregano, commonly known as oregano extract or oregano oil. Manufacturers use alcohol or carbon dioxide to extract important components from the plant to create oregano oil. Oregano oil can be used orally as a supplement and delivers the plant’s bioactives in a more concentrated form.
Be aware that it differs from oregano essential oil.
The difference between oregano oil and oregano essential oil must be understood. The dried oregano leaves used to make oregano essential oil are steamed and distilled before being used topically or in diffusers. You shouldn’t, however, consume it by itself. As highly strong substances, essential oils can harm the intestinal lining when consumed in an unencapsulated form.
The remainder of this post will concentrate on oregano oil, which can be used orally as a supplement; you can learn more about how to utilise essential oils safely here.
Oil of oregano benefits.
Oregano oil has the potential to help with anything from psoriasis and wound healing to acne and asthma.
Oregano was used in ancient medicine36 to treat menstruation irregularities, diarrhea, inflammation, and respiratory ailments including bronchitis or a cough. Science-based literature has not yet caught up to substantiate these usage in people, nevertheless.
Here are some early findings on oregano oil and some of its possible advantages:
- It supports a balanced microbiota in the gut.
The antibacterial and antifungal properties of oregano, in particular the high levels of carvacrol, may assist to balance the gut microbiome4. Oregano extract improved intestinal health, immunological function, and reduced intestinal oxidative stress in animal trials. Additionally, it decreased disease-causing strains of gut bacteria while increasing good ones in a different animal research.
- It’s bacterial-resistant.
Early studies have demonstrated the antibacterial effects of oregano oil. In one study, oregano oil shown significant antibacterial activity7 against 11 pathogens that were resistant to several drugs. Carvacrol and thymol have both been investigated for their potential to help antibiotics8 combat resistant bacteria.
Functional nutrition specialist English Goldsborough, FNTP, frequently suggests oregano oil to clients who are battling mould exposure, a sinus infection, a cough, or a sore throat due to its antimicrobial properties.
- It might help with acne.
The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and gut-modulating properties of oregano oil may combine to lessen acne. According to Goldsborough, she frequently observes clients who initially use oregano oil for gastrointestinal issues go on to enjoy skin benefits.
In tests on animals, scientists found that oregano oil reduces inflammation caused by Propionibacterium acnes9, a bacteria that is known to cause acne and skin irritation. However, the majority of studies on oregano and acne have used oregano essential oil applied topically.
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Oregano oil might be worth a go if you want to clear up your skin, reset your digestive system, or reduce inflammation. It is also quite effective against bacteria, so having some on hand while you’re sick can be a smart idea. At the end of the day, oregano is merely one of many herbs with great health benefits to their name; find out more about other plants that strengthen the immune system here.
