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I love lavender for being so mild, but oregano is the opposite… it’s incredibly powerful and strong! This wonderful herb has many benefits and health-promoting uses around the house.
Oregano: The Delight of the Mountain
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an aromatic and slightly bitter herb in the mint family. The name is derived from Greek meaning “mountain of joy” or “the delight of the mountain.” It grows naturally in warm, dry climates (it’s native to the Mediterranean) but is cultivated in many places in the world today.
Oregano is a very flavorful herb that is often used in Italian, Greek, and Spanish cooking. It is often used in seasoning blends, including Italian seasoning, and pairs well with meats, tomato dishes, and eggs. I always add it to my homemade soups and stews, especially during illness, as it is said to have antibacterial properties.
But the benefits of oregano leaves go far beyond the kitchen!
Oregano Herb Health Benefits
Oregano has been gaining popularity as a natural remedy, though its use as a health-boosting herb is centuries old. Modern science confirms the reasons for this: it contains high amounts of omega-3s, iron, manganese, vitamin K, and antioxidants.
Oregano essential oil is well known in natural health communities for its antibacterial properties, and it is even being studied by the mainstream medical community for its potential health benefits.
High Level of Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Like the fresh herb, oregano oil has very high amounts of antioxidants that help fight free radicals. These antioxidants include:
- phenols
- triterpenes
- rosmarinic acid
- ursolic acid
- oleanolic acid
Because of its antioxidants, oregano oil is protective against damage from some medications, according to a 2015 study.
One 2007 study found that a combination of oregano and thyme essential oils could lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Because if this, the essential oil mixture may be helpful in reducing symptoms from inflammatory illnesses like colitis.
Another study published in the journal Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology found that oregano oil could lower the negative effects of induced colitis in rats and opens the door to new ideas about its benefit to the colon and liver.
Antimicrobial
Oregano has many antimicrobial properties including antibacterial and anti-parasitic.
A recent study from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University Medical Center stated that new (safe) antimicrobials are needed to prevent and treat infections and that essential oils like oregano essential oil may be the answer.
Antibacterial
In an article published on Science Daily, oregano essential oil was found to be effective in killing Staphylococcus bacteria. It was also equally as effective in its germ-killing abilities as common prescription antibiotics.
Helps Fight Parasites
One study published in Phytotherapy Research found that adults suffering from parasites had significant improvements in their digestive symptoms after using oregano oil.
Helps Athletes Foot
Oregano is also antifungal. One study found that of the 11 essential oils tested, oregano was the most powerful against athlete’s foot. Combined with salt and heat, researchers concluded that essential oils (specifically oregano) were a promising treatment.
Boosts the Immune System and Fights Cancer Cells
According to a 2013 study, oregano and other herbs in the Lamiaceae family can help stimulate the immune system. This might explain the traditional use of oregano for treating illness. But oregano is more than an immune stimulator. A study published in Cancer Letters found that a compound in oregano looked promising as a potential cancer cell killer in prostate, breast, skin, leukemia, and colon cancers.
Oregano Oil, Oregano Essential Oil, and Oil of Oregano: What’s the Difference?
This can be a confusing topic! Often when people talk about oregano they use these terms interchangeably. But each one is slightly different. Here’s how:
- Oregano oil is oil (often olive oil) that is infused with oregano. This oil may be used medicinally but is most often used culinarily.
- Oregano essential oil (like all essential oils) are distilled from plant matter and are incredibly concentrated.
- Oil of oregano is a prepared dilution of oregano essential oil. This can be purchased already prepared but you can make your own too.
Essential oils should never be used (especially ingested) undiluted. Whenever ingestion is mentioned, oil of oregano is what you want to use. Topical use of oregano essential oils should also be diluted.
How to Use Oregano
Oregano has many uses around the home:
Recipes
Dried or Fresh Oregano Uses
- It can be consumed as an herb in culinary uses, a tincture, tea, or diluted essential oil.
- Dried oregano, in combination with other dried herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme, can create an effective facial steam for loosening congestion and calming coughing.
Oregano Essential Oil Uses
- The diluted oil can be consumed to speed recovery during illness.
- Oregano essential oil (diluted in coconut oil) can be used on skin infections to boost healing.
- It can be mixed into coconut oil as part of an oil pulling routine for healthy gums.
- Diluted in a carrier oil, oregano essential oil taken internally can help with allergies.
- Oregano essential oil diluted in olive oil can be rubbed on sore muscles and joints for pain relief.
- It can be diluted for effective use on athletes foot and fungal infections.
- Diluted oregano EO can be helpful in ridding the body of ringworm when used topically.
- It can be effective in removing warts when used diluted on the skin.
Because oregano has such strong antimicrobial properties, it can help with many infections both internal and external.
Where to Buy Oregano
I typically purchase dried oregano in bulk online. My oregano essential oil comes from here.
Another way to get the benefits of oregano is to grow it fresh! All it takes is a small herb garden or window box.
Some growing notes:
- Oregano likes warm, dry climates, and full sun.
- Buy from seed or get instant gratification and purchase seedlings.
- As they grow, pinch off leaves to encourage a bushier plant.
Harvesting oregano is also simple. Harvest the leaves as you need them and dry some for storage.
Is Oregano Safe?
Oregano oil is not generally considered safe during pregnancy, though culinary use of oregano leaf is considered fine.
If you meet any of the following conditions, talk to your doctor before use as oregano may not be safe for you:
- allergies to plants in the Lamiaceae family
- bleeding disorders
- diabetes
- planning a surgery
Due to its highly potent nature, oregano essential oil should always be diluted for use on the skin or when taking internally. I am not a doctor or medical professional, and you should always consult your doctor before taking any herbs or beginning any health routine.
This article was medically reviewed by Jessica Meyers, MPAP, PA-C, RH(AHG), who specializes in herbal protocols and functional medicine. You can also find Jessica on Instagram. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
What is your favorite use for oregano? As a spice or as a natural remedy? Share below!
Thanks, Katie, for ALL of your research! What a blessing to us other women/moms/homemakers. I am so thankful that I found your blog. I have a question about EO providers. I notice that you get many of your EO’s and herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs. I usually buy Young Living EO’s because they are claimed to be “such good quality”. But I am SO tempted by MRH’s prices! They are so much lower! For example, Young Living Oregano EO is $36.51 for 15ml. The same size on MRH is $10! Huge difference. From what I’ve read on your blog, you only promote products that you fully support and use yourself. So I’m wondering if, in your opinion, the expensive oils (YL, doTerra, etc.) are just charging for the label. I’m not asking you to bash any certain brand. I just would like your opinion on MRH. If I am going to be using EO’s and herbs to treat my families illnesses and pains, I want to be using quality, effective products! Thanks for all you do to get good, helpful information out to us!
I personally have found MRH to be incredible high quality. I’ve used YL and DT in the past at different times and found them comparable. I’m highly cautious of ingesting any oils anyway, so I don’t have much experience with that, but I’ve used the MRH oils for years and love them.
Please, please explain your letters: MRH, DT, YL, at least once in your post.
MRH = Mountain Rose Herbs; DT = doTerra; YL = Young Living.
Oregano leaf and Oil of Oregano are not the same. You want Mediterranean oil of oregano especially for internal use. The dilution for oral use is 4-5 drops in about an ounce of water. Be careful not to get it on lips, it will burn. But it really works as a great anti biotic. Your body does not build up a resistance to it.
Hi, is oil pulling with my homemade oregano tincture from the herb mixed with coconut oil okay during pregnancy? Thanks!
I want to take this oil for candida and intestinal issues. How many drops a day and how many days should I take OOO?
No one seems to be giving an oral dilution amount, and i would like to know x’s per day dosing. I’m interested in this along with the others that have been asking.
ALSO, FORGOT TO SAY BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO GET THE UNDILUTED OIL ON THE SKIN IT CAN BURN, IT WILL NOT CAUSE A BAD BURN LIKE HEAT WILL, BUT IT WILL STING…
I’ve taken the Oil of Oregano that I’ve bought from a natural store and I assume it is diluted. It says to take 3-4 drops three times daily. But i hate to do it that many times so I always take 12 drops with a mouthful of water and swallow quickly followed by more water. I do this for a couple of days when it’s flu season or whenever I’m around sick people or hospitals. I also used it diluted with Olive oil on warts and they disappeared.
Whenever I take it orally I take a mouthful of water, and then I take anywheres from 3-12 drops at a time, and then I swallow the water and I drink more water cuz of the taste. Yuck. If I want to avoid catching something that’s going around like a flu or some other bug, I will take 12 drops once a day. However if I have something specific that I want to get rid of (like when I had bells palsy) I will double up by taking 8 drops three times a day for a week or two. If using topically, ALWAYS ALWAYS dilute the OOO in a carrier oil, and Olive oil makes a nice carrier oil if nothing else is on hand.
Im pregnant…and i know cannot take but can i apply topically without any problems…odd and too much info..but i have small bump beside anal… abscess and want to use for that because definately do not want it to get bigger and usually the only solution is for it to be cut and drained…however mine is the beginning of one and want to try naturally… thanks.
I have oregano growing and wondered if there is any way to use it for the healing of a boil on my daughter’s face. She has been putting a paste of turmeric on it and it has reduced the inflammation. We were wondering about using the oregano as a healer and antibacterial use. Can anyone advise me? We can also use oil of oregano if it will not irritate too much. Thank you, Carol
I haven’t personally tried it but I had an Amish fried who would make a poultice of plantain, comfrey and oregano and said it worked wonders
I diluted OOO with Olive oil and used it on two MASSIVE warts that my son had and within two weeks they were completely gone!
thanks for the info .. How does it work on the knees. I have arthritis in both knees.. Help
I read somewhere that taking diluted oil of oregano internally can counter-act the goodness of the probiotics I’m taking. Is this true? Thanks.
Not that I know of…
You need to take the probiotics 2 hours after taking the diluted oil of oregano. It is a powerful antimicrobial. Separate their use.
I was getting rosacea on the bridge of my nose and I started applying a mixture of 10 drops jojoba, 4 drops oregano oil and 3 drops tea tree oil at night and within 2 weeks it was gone and the dermatologist confirmed it! Saved a lot of money on conventional treatments!
Hi Arla.
I was wondering about your mixture of jojoba, oregano and tea tree.
I assume that you are talking about essential oils.
Did you put these drops in a carrier oil like grape seed, coconut or olive and than apply to your skin or just the mixture of the three essential oils?
Hey Helge!
Jojoba is a carrier oil, and oregano and tea tree are the essential oils. I often use Jojoba as a carrier, and my sister just gave me a new bottle the other day.. Google some facts on it, and see if it could be a good fit for you… I normally buy mine here: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/jojoba-oil/profile
Thanks so much for your informative posts! Is oil of oregano safe when trying to conceive? If not internally, would it be safe to use topically when trying to get pregnant? Thanks!
No, it is not. It can prevent implantation (aka early miscarriage) because it thins out the lining of the uterus by promoting blood stimulation of the uterus which can bring on menstruation. I would think after pregancy it would be safe like some other herbs or spices are that way:)
Look up: https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/oregano-oil.aspx AND Livestrong oregano oil pregnancy
Oregano oil is useful to bring on late periods because of it’s effectiveness for really good stimulation. Just like Parlsy tea and Rosemary oil. Rosemary and Oregano come from the same family.
I know rosemary oil works because I used it in during my period when for several cycles they had seemed to be very light and surely it flowed! Later I found out my light periods were due to low progesterone from being under high, “cortisol”, stress. God bless!