Oregano essential oil, oregano, rhubarb, oregano, (origanum vulgare). ID: 537-68

Here are 9 possible benefits and uses of oregano oil.

1. Natural antibiotic

The oregano and carvacrol it contains can help fight bacteria.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of infection, resulting in diseases such as food poisoning and skin infections.

Research has also shown that oregano essential oil can be effective against certain antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

This includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli, both of which are common causes of urinary tract and respiratory infections.

A study in mice found that oregano essential oil is almost as effective as antibiotics against common bacteria, although much more research is needed.

2. It can help lower cholesterol

Studies have shown that oregano can help lower cholesterol.

In one study, 48 people with mildly high cholesterol were given diet and lifestyle tips to help lower their cholesterol.

After 3 months, those who took oregano oil had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher HDL (good) cholesterol, compared with those who received diet and lifestyle tips.

Studies have shown that oregano can help lower cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. This is believed to be the result of the compounds carvacrol and thymol.

3. Powerful antioxidant

Antioxidants help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

Free radical damage is believed to play a role in aging and the development of certain diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

Free radicals are everywhere and a natural product of metabolism.

However, they can accumulate in the body through exposure to environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke and air pollutants.

A test tube study compared the antioxidant content of 39 commonly used herbs and found that oregano had the highest concentration of antioxidants.

He found that oregano contained 3-30 times the antioxidant levels of the other herbs studied, which included thyme, marjoram and balsam.

In grams per gram, oregano also has 42 times the antioxidant level of apples and 4 times that of raspberries. This is believed to be mainly due to the romarinic acid content.

Because oregano extract is highly concentrated, you need much less oregano oil to reap the same antioxidant benefits as fresh oregano.

Oregano has a very high antioxidant content. In fact, it is much higher than most fruits and vegetables, gram by gram. The antioxidant content is concentrated in oregano.

4. It could help treat yeast infections

Yeast is a type of fungus. It may be harmless, but overgrowth can lead to bowel problems and infections.

The most well-known yeast is Candida, which is the most common cause of yeast infections worldwide.

In test tube studies, oregano essential oil has been found to be effective against five different types of Candida, such as those that cause mouth and vaginal infections. In fact, it was more effective than any other essential oil ever tested.

Studies have shown that oregano essential oil is effective against Candida, the most common form of yeast.

5. May improve bowel health

Oregano can benefit gut health in a number of ways.

Intestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, pain and bloating are common and can be caused by intestinal parasites.

An earlier study gave 600 mg of oregano to 14 people who had bowel symptoms as a result of a parasite. After daily treatment for 6 weeks, all participants showed a reduction in parasites and 77% were cured.

Participants also experienced a reduction in bowel symptoms and symptom-related fatigue.

Oregano can also help protect against another common intestinal complaint known as "bowel leakage". This happens when the intestinal wall is damaged, allowing bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream.

Oregano oil can benefit gut health by killing gut parasites and protecting against gut leakage syndrome.

6. May have anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation in the body is associated with certain negative health effects.

Research has shown that oregano can reduce inflammation.

One study found that oregano essential oil, along with thyme essential oil, reduced inflammatory markers in those with artificially induced colitis.

Carvacrol, one of the key ingredients in oregano oil, has also been shown to reduce inflammation.

7. It could help relieve pain

Oregano oil has been investigated for its analgesic properties.

Oregano essential oil significantly reduces pain by having similar effects to the commonly used painkillers fenoprofen and morphine.

8. May have anti-cancer properties

Some studies have shown that carvacrol, one of the compounds in oregano oil, may have anti-cancer properties.

In test tube studies on cancer cells, carvacrol has shown promising results against lung, liver and breast cancer cells.

It has been found to inhibit cell growth and cause death from cancer cells.

9. It can help you lose weight

Thanks to its oregano carvacrol content, oregano oil can help with weight loss.

In one study, on a regular diet, a high-fat diet or a high-fat diet with carvacrol. Those who took carvacrol along with the high-fat diet gained significantly less weight and body fat than those who just got on the high-fat diet.

In addition, carvacrol has been shown to reverse the chain of events that can lead to the formation of fat cells.

Oregano essential oil can be diluted with a carrier oil (almond, coconut) and applied topically.

There is no standard effective dose of oregano essential oil. However, it is often mixed with about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of olive oil per drop of oregano essential oil and applied directly to the skin.

Side effects

If you are interested in taking oregano oil extract but are currently taking prescription drugs, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before adding it to your regimen.

In addition, oregano extract is generally not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.