Natural Health Advisory

Oregano-Oil-and-Bottle Oregano oil is truly a remarkable little miracle herb! Research studies confirm oregano oil benefits a variety of conditions: it protects the heart, reverses depressive symptoms, balances hormones and even controls pain. But, the most impressive use of oregano oil is the ability to fight a variety of infections. Oregano oil is such a powerful home remedy, it may very well be the most important bottle in your medicine cabinet!

Oregano Oil Benefits Respiratory & Flu Infections

Traditional healers since ancient times have used oregano extract to treat respiratory issues such as coughs, colds, flu, sore throats and bronchitis. These types of respiratory infections are typically caused by viruses or bacteria. Based on notable research studies,

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oregano oil benefits immunity because it helps improve symptoms of respiratory infection due to its antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The volatile oils in oregano include thymol and carvacrol, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus – the bacteria often responsible for respiratory infections.[1] In fact, oregano oil is considered a broad-spectrum antibacterial, which means it kills both gram positive and gram negative bacteria species. In addition, oregano oil has even been shown effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.[2,3]

Oregano oil can also be helpful for those suffering from respiratory infections or the flu because it promotes sweating, which makes it useful to bring a fever down. The oil can also be used to clear lungs and bronchial passages by mixing with a base of oil and rubbing it on the chest and aching muscles or by boiling it with hot water or adding it to a vaporizer to inhale the steam.

Oregano Oil Benefits Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common urinary pathogen and the third leading cause of hospital-acquired UTI. Oregano oil benefits patients who suffer from UTIs due to its high content of carvacrol, which eradicates Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.[4] Wild oregano oils with the highest content contain 75 to 85 percent carvacrol. It also inhibits growth of E. Coli (Escherichia coli O157:H7) and Proteus, bacteria that also cause UTIs.[5,6]

Oregano Oil Benefits Fungal and Yeast Infections

Aside from bacteria, oregano is also a very potent antifungal herb. In fact, oregano oil may be a more powerful anti-fungal agent than many commercial products on the market. Oregano oil is effective in eliminating the fungus that causes athlete’s foot as well as treating fungal infections on the skin and nails.

The oregano oil benefits also include inhibiting the Candida fungi (yeast). It is more effective than other natural supplements in cases of yeast infections resistant to the conventional drug fluconazole (Diflucan), according to research published in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology.[7]

Oregano Oil Benefits Parasitic Infections

Giardia is an amoeba, common throughout the world. There are more than 200 million people infected with Giardia each year. Research studies indicate that oregano is effective against Giardia.[8] In one study, oregano oil proved to be more effective than the commonly prescribed drug, tinidazol.[9]

Oregano oil even protects against parasitic infiltration both within the body, as well as the physical environment. This includes round worms, tape worms, bed bugs, lice, fleas and mosquitoes.

Oregano Oil Benefits Food-borne Illnesses & Digestive Issues

In vitro studies have demonstrated antibacterial activity of the essential oils against some of the most common food-borne pathogens including Listeria, Salmonella, E-Coli, and Shigella dysenteria (causes dysentery).[10,11] In fact, you can add oregano oil to your eggs, meat, seafood, salad, or other dishes to actually prevent food poisoning microbes from growing. You can also add a few drops to your left-overs to prevent food spoilage.

The most common symptoms of food-borne illness are digestive issues. Oregano oil’s high content of carvacrol and thymol can help calm down stomach upset and aid in digestion by stimulating bile flow. Therefore, symptoms of food-borne illness – nausea, vomiting, indigestion, etc. – can be remedied by using the oil. Oregano oil also kills Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that cause gastric ulcers. It can help with bowel problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and/or bloating and indigestion.

How to Take Oregano Oil

Now that you know why you should take oregano, you need to learn how you should take it. To learn which type of oregano oil you need and exactly how much you should take, read our article, How To Take Oregano Oil. You can also view instructions from our video here: How to Take Oil of Oregano and Echinacea as a Potential Natural Antiviral.

For a comprehensive look at very important safety considerations when using essential oils, read the Man on the Street article and watch the how-to video with a chemical engineer researcher in the December 2015 NHA Letter.

[1] Pak J Pharm Sci. 2009 Oct;22(4):421-4.

[2] J Med Food. 2008 Sep;11(3):568-73.

[3] Indian J Pharm Sci. 2012 Sep;74(5):443-50.

[4] J Appl Microbiol. 2001 Sep;91(3):453-62.

[5] Lett Appl Microbiol. 2003;36(3):162-7.

[6] Med Dosw Mikrobiol. 2012;64(4):297-307.

[7] Can J Microbiol. 2008 Nov;54(11):950-6.

[8] Parasitol Res. 2006 May;98(6):557-60.

[9] J Food Prot 2001 Sep;64(9):1412-9.

[10] Int J Food Microbiol. 2004 Aug 1;94(3):223-53.

[11] Food Microbiol. 2013 May;34(1):123-9.

This article was originally published in 2012 and has been updated.