Oil Of Oregano – Health Benefits, Side Effects And More

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In our article, we will talk about health benefits and side effects of oil of oregano; Oregano essential oil is originate from the leaves of the oregano plant. Although oregano is a well-known herb in many kitchens, oregano herbal and essential oils aren’t used for cooking. Instead, the essential oil is used topically and through breath to treat specific health situations. This herbal oil can be work as an herbal supplement.

The oregano oil is available orally, unlike oregano essential oil, which is much more focused and used in aromatherapy. People should not take crucial oils by mouth. Whether somebody applies it externally or takes a supplement orally, oregano oil may be helpful for various conditions.

Compounds in the oil have essential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which clarify many of the benefits. There are some risks and possible issues to consider before using oregano oil, which may not be suitable for everyone.

What Do You Mean By Oil of Oregano?

Oregano oil is a highly concentrated essential oil extracted from the leaves of the plant oregano. It is familiar for its strong aroma and flavor, similar to the oregano herb used in cooking. The active compounds in oregano oil include carvacrol, thymol, and terpinene.

It originates in the Mediterranean, many parts of Europe, and South and Central Asia. Medicinal-grade oregano is purified to extract the essential oil from the herb, creating a high concentration of the herb’s active constituents. It takes 1,000 pounds of oregano to make just one pound of essential oil.

The oil’s active ingredients are conserved in alcohol and used in essential oil form both externally (on the skin) and internally. When made into a remedial supplement or essential oil, oregano is often called the “oil of oregano.” As mentioned above, oregano oil is a natural alternative to prescription antibiotics. Oil of Oregano has both in it health benefits and as well as side effects, we will discuss them in the following article.

Health Benefits of Oil of Oregano

Oil of oregano has many health benefits, some of the following are;

1. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Oil of oregano covers potent anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation and swelling throughout the body. It can help manage conditions like arthritis, asthma, and allergies.

Inflammation in the body is associates with several adverse health effects. Research has shown that oregano oil can reduce inflammation. One mouse study found that oregano important oil and thyme essential oil reduced inflammatory markers in people with artificially induced colitis.

2. Antimicrobial Properties

Thus, oregano oil has potent antimicrobial properties that help fight bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. It can treat conditions like candidiasis, urinary tract infections, and even the common cold.

3. Antioxidant Properties

This oil is rich in antioxidants that can support and protect the body against oxidative stress, leading to chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

4. Digestive Health

Oregano essential oil is also perfect for your digestion. It helps by stimulating the vital gastric juices needed to digest the good, recovers the rate and quantity of nutrient absorption by the body, and even secretes essential enzymes required to stimulate better digestion. It makes it an excellent oil for those who suffer from many stomach-related problems and disorders.

5. Skin Health

Though oregano oil is usually well-tolerated, it can cause skin allergies in specific individuals. These effects could be more noticeable in oregano oil supplements as such products do not need strict sanctions by the US Food and Drug Administration [FDA].

Entities allergic to plants in the Lamiaceae family also tend to be allergic to oregano. The other plants in this family contain basil, marjoram, sage, mint, and also, lavender.

6. Respiratory Health

Oregano essential oil has all the properties of medicine. It means it clears your respiratory tract of any mucus and phlegm that may have built up, and this can help prevent congestion and also, breathing difficulties.

Also, oregano essential oil is known for acting as a lung balm. If your lungs are reddened or irritated in any way, this vital oil can soothe them and make them function generally again. It can even help with irritation in the throat and also, coughing fits.

Side Effects of Oil of Oregano

Thus, taking oregano essential oil in high doses can end up irritating your skin or your mucus membranes. Pregnant women should avoid this oil because it functions as an emmenagogue and can affect miscarriage if taken in large doses. It can also affect your pregnancy due it stimulates the emission of hormones.

Moreover, people with known allergies to basil, mint, lavender, marjoram, or sage are also allergic to oregano oil. To regulate whether or not you are allergic to this oil, you can always make a patch test to see how your body replies. While the oil of oregano has many health benefits, it can also have side effects, some of them are:

1. Skin Irritation

Undiluted oregano oil can cause skin irritation, burning, or redness when applied topically. In addition, a study published in the journal Contact Dermatitis reported that oil oregano could cause irritant contact dermatitis in some individuals. To reduce the chance of skin irritation, always dilute the oil with a carrier oil, such as almond or jojoba oil, before applying it to the skin.

2. Gastrointestinal Distress/ Digestive Issues

Ingesting oregano oil can cause gastrointestinal distress and digestive problems like nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain. According to a study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, in rats, stomach irritation was brought on by high dosages of carvacrol, the main active ingredient in oregano oil. Always adhere to the advised dosages and seek medical advice if any adverse effects occur.

3. Drug Interactions

Certain medications and the oil of oregano may interact, perhaps leading to damaging effects or lowering the effectiveness of the prescriptions. For example, a study discovered that oregano essential oil decreased the activity of CYP2C9 in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Many medications, including warfarin and phenytoin, are metabolized by this enzyme. Therefore, if you take any medications, talk to a doctor before consuming oregano oil.

4. Allergic Reactions

As with any natural product, some individuals may be allergic to the oil of oregano. For example, a case report published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology described an instance where a woman experienced contact dermatitis after applying oregano essential oil to her skin. If you suspect an allergy, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

5. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

There is limited information on the safety of using oil oregano during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Animal studies have shown that carvacrol, the primary active compound in the oil of oregano, can cause embryotoxicity in rats. Pregnant or nursing women should consult a healthcare professional before using the oil oregano.

How to Make Oregano Oil

Oregano oil can be purchase at just about any grocery or medical store. It’s common for people to make it at home by blending oregano leaves with olive oil or another of their choice.

To prepare your oil oregano, we need to follow these steps:

• Wash and chop your oregano leaves.
• Please place them in a clear jar, add warmed oil, and also, stir them together.
• Seal the jar and keep it in a cool, dark place for up to 2 weeks, giving it a shake every day.
• After two weeks, strain the oil and discard the leaves. Seal and refrigerate the now-infused oil of oregano and use it as desired. As you can see, making your oregano oil is quick and easy.

How to Use Oil of Oregano

Oil of oregano can be used in several ways, following the methods are:

1. Topically

Oregano oil can be helpful topically to treat various skin conditions or as a natural insect repellent.

2. Internally

Oregano oil is taken orally in capsules or mixed with water or juice. It is essential to use high-quality, food-grade oregano oil and follow the recommended dosage.

3. Aromatically

Oregano oil can be dim into the air to purify the air, promote respiratory health, and also, boost the immune system.

Conclusion

Hence, oil of oregano is a multipurpose natural remedy that can provide many health benefits when used correctly and as well as side effects. It is essential to refer to a healthcare professional before using oil oregano, especially if you have any original health conditions or are taking any medications.

Very few studies investigate the efficiency of oregano crucial oil as a treatment for the common cold. And also, shown that oregano essential oil kills cold and flu viruses in a laboratory. A discrete study has shown that it may alleviate cold-like indications in people. There is a terrible sign suggesting that oregano can cure a common cold. However, a person could use it with other treatments to help alleviate the symptoms.