Last Updated on December 3, 2023 by Cathy
Oregano is an herb that is in the mint family and native to the Mediterranean. It’s been used for thousands of years for cooking and medicinal purposes. It not only tastes great in sauces and on meat but it also has many health benefits. Oregano has many benefits including powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic properties.
It is used fresh, dried, and as an oil. It contains vitamins A, B-6, C, E, and K along with calcium, fiber, iron, and magnesium. No wonder oregano is considered a powerful health food. For health benefits, people usually take oregano as a supplement or used as an essential oil.
Antibacterial
Oregano is great at fighting bacteria including the food bore pathogen Listeria. It fights the superbug MRSA which many antibiotics are resistant to. Studies also showed oregano oil as an alternative antibacterial remedy. It enhances the healing process in bacterial infections.
Since oregano oil is an antibacterial it would be a useful addition to add to your homemade hand soap. Oregano not only kills harmful bacteria but it leaves the good bacteria intact. If you have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), oregano is the perfect herb.
Antibiotic Properties
Oregano is a natural antibiotic. Studies found it to be very effective against 23 different species of bacteria. Oregano is very effective against bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
It’s also effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli. Both of these bacteria are common infections. Including the respiratory tract, staph, and urinary tract infections (UTI). Oregano breaks through biofilms which creates a barrier protecting bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Antioxidant
Antioxidants protect your body from damage caused by free radicals which are a toxic byproduct. Free radicals build up in your body through environmental factors. Such as cigarette smoking, eating sugar, and air pollutants.
Free radicals destroy cell membranes causing the cells to be vulnerable to pathogens. They damage mitochondria, the basic building blocks for all tissues. This leads to many health problems.
It’s hard to escape free radicals since they are everywhere. Free radicals increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and degenerative diseases. One study found oregano to have the highest concentration of antioxidants. Even more than blueberries.
Candida
Oil of oregano is an antifungal. It’s perfect for killing yeast infections and overgrowth (Candida). Candida happens when the bacteria in the gut gets out of balance. Usually from many rounds of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all bacteria, good and bad. But, it does not kill Candida which then allows the yeast to grow out of control.
Candida overgrowth could be the underlying cause of many autoimmune diseases. Like multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus. I was able to stop the progression of my MS through diet but my symptoms weren’t reversing. It wasn’t until I started a candida diet that my symptoms started to reverse. Including my heat intolerance.
Taking an oregano essential oil will fight and kill candida overgrowth. Plus, it promotes healing faster than pharmaceutical drugs. To take the oregano oil to fight candida mix 2-3 drops into a glass of water and drink it 3 times a day. Don’t take it on an empty stomach.
Other benefits from oregano:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Athletes foot
- Bee stings
- Cancer-fighting
- Digestive problems
- Gut health
- Fights colds and flu
- Inflammation
- Kills parasites
- Muscle pain
- Nail fungus
- Ringworm
- Sneezing
- Treatment for UTI’s
- Treats head lice
Cautions
Using herbs and spices are very beneficial when used for cooking. However, when they are used for medicinal purposes to help you feel better, that’s when problems can arise. When you are taking herbs an oil or a supplement, you are taking a concentrated dose. If you take too much it can lead to health problems which are the opposite of what you are after.
Oregano oil can cause skin irritations for some people. It’s best to use it with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or primrose. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid oregano oil and supplements altogether. Don’t give it to children as well.
If you are currently taking any prescription medications, talk to your doctor first. Some medications can be affected by herbs.
How to Use Oregano Oil
Buy a good quality organic therapeutic grade of oregano oil. I trust the brand Plant Therapy plus if you have any questions you can talk to one of their aromatherapists.
Since oregano oil is very powerful don’t use it for a long period. Instead, use it for two weeks then take a break for one or two months. Then if needed start back up for another two weeks. Don’t take oregano oil on an empty stomach.
- For skin conditions: Use a carrier oil like olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or primrose. Use 1 teaspoon of the carrier oil and 1 drop of oregano oil, then apply it to the affected area.
- Under the tongue: Mix 4 drops of oregano oil and 4 drops of olive oil then place it under your tongue. Hold it there for a few minutes then rinse your mouth with water.
- Swallowed: Add a few drops of water into a glass of water then gargle and swallow.
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In the End
Oregano and garlic are both very powerful for fighting candida, SIBO, and parasites. Include both of these into your diet every day for the best results. Raw garlic is the best rather than supplements. After cooking your vegetables, stews, and soups add fresh garlic and oregano.
Make a salad dressing using extra virgin olive oil and crush fresh oregano and minced garlic to it. Let it sit so the olive oil can soak up the herbs then use it as a salad dressing. To save money grow some oregano. It is easy to grow but it can grow tall so give it a little growing room.
Include other powerful herbs as excellent sources of antioxidants in your diet every day. Herbs such as cinnamon, clove, garlic, ginger, oregano, rosemary, sage, and turmeric.
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Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30651162
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/7619452/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23484421
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012803302900004X
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