Oregano oil is a herbal oil that extracted from the leaves of oregano, a perennial herb which has botanical name Origanum vulgare. Oregano name is comes from Greek words, “oros” and “ganos”. Oros means mountain, while ganos means joy in Greek. So, oregano literally mean the joy of mountain because oregano always symbolize the happiness. From years ago, people in ancient Romans and Greeks use this oregano for medical properties.
To obtain an essential oregano oil, the fresh oregano leaves is extracted through a steam distillation. An oregano oil contains high amount of Terpinene, Geranyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Borneol, Bisabolene, Pinene, Caryophyllene, Carvacrol, Thymol, and Cymene. Many reasearches that has been conducted shows that oregano oil offers a lot of health benefits for your body. In this article, we already have 15 health benefits of oregano oil.
- Source of Antioxidant
An essential oregano oil contains rich source of antioxidant called phenols that will fight against free radicals. The effects after fight the free radicals is that you will avoided by many kinds of disease caused by premature aging like degeneration of muscle, degeneration of macular, and wrinkles. The antioxidant contained in oregano oil will also prevent you from cancer and nervous disorders.
- Prevents Fungal Infections
If we used oregano oil constantly both externally and internally, we will be avoided by dreadful infections in the ear, nose, and throat caused by fungi. If these fungal infections are not threatened properly, it will cause a fatal damage.
- Prevents Bacterial Infections
Another benefit from oregano oil is that it will fight bacterial infections. A study from the United States Department of Agriculture evidences that oregano can easily get rid of bacteria like Salmonella, Escherichia Coli, etc. So, by applying oregano oil into your body, you will be protected from diseases like cholera, food poisoning, sores, and skin infections.
- Prevents Viral Infections
Oregano oil is also fundamental to protect you from infections caused by viruses. By applying oregano oil into your body, it will stimulate the activity of white blood cells which will protect you from diseases like colds, measles, and mumps.
- Anti-Inflammatory
Oregano oil is a perfect medication if you suffer from pain associated with arthritis and injury. This essential oil will also cure any redness caused by irritation. After you applied this oil into your body, it will relieve your pain after several moments.
- Relieve Menstrual Problems
This oregano oil will also helpful for adjusting the menstruation. Women who are suffering because of their menopause period will find some relief after applying this essential oil. This oregano oil will stimulate the blood flow to the pelvic area and triggering the contractions of uterine, which will facilitate the menstrual flow. Besides, oregano oil will also maintain your mood balance and hormonal shift during menstruation period and oncoming menopause.
- Prevents Allergies
Applying oregano oil when you are feeling discomfort because of external allergies will be a perfect choice. Since an oregano oil is also has anti-inflammatory attributes, it can reduce an allergic reaction.
- Heal Respiratory Disease
This oregano oil could act as an expectorant that will help to get rid of any discomfort build ups of phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tracts and sinuses. Oregano oil is essential either to prevent or treat the symptoms related to respiratory such as asthma, cold, flu, and bronchitis. Laboratory studies have also shown that oregano oil will eliminate the appearance of Staphylococcus which responsible for upper respiratory problems, and also Klebsiella pneumoniae which responsible for lower respiratory problems
- Natural Insects Repellent
Oregano oil contains high amounts of carvacrol. This component, when applied externally, will eliminate various kinds of insect such as ants, mosquito, lice, bed bugs, or fleas. So, it is better to use oregano oil to clear yourself from any insects due to its herbal components rather than buying a commercial insect spray.
- Maximize Digestion
Oregano oil can maximize your digestion systems by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices. Also, this essential oil will help you to gain full advantage and benefits from any nutrients contained in your food.
- Weight Loss
As already mentioned above that oregano oil contains high amounts of components called carvacrol. Some studies indicate that carvacrol can help you to gain less weight than before. In an experiment on mice, when the mice not given carvacrol and they eat high calorie food, they quickly become obese. On the contrary, mice that given carvacrol gained less weight and had lower levels of cholesterol in their body when consuming the same foods.
- Source of Essential Nutrients
Oregano oil contains a rich source of nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, potassium, manganese, niacin, magnesium, and zinc. Those nutrients would be helpful for people who have problems with nutrients.
- Prevents Cardiovascular Disease
The oregano oil contains a high amount of antioxidant and ursolic acid which will protect your heart and blood vessels from free radicals and prevent the cancer cell proliferation. Ursolic acid will also decreasing white fat deposition and increasing the amount of brown fat that will reduce the possibility of cardiovascular disease.
- Relieves Stomach Discomfort
Bacterial infections, toxins, and indigestion due to endocrines problem that will stimulate the excessive production of acid and gas could be the main problems of any stomach discomfort. Since the oregano oil is a potent solution to destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses, there is no doubt that this essential oil can relieve stomach discomfort.
- Prevents Diabetes
Oregano oil might be useful to prevent diabetes type 2 by inhibiting the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV that could stimulate the production of insulin. Oregano oil also has a great ability to regulate the fat accumulation, particularly the white fat.So, it is unsurprising that oregano oil has great effects to prevent diabetes.
Health Benefits from the Composition of Oregano Oil
Since oregano oil contains various components, these are the main benefits of each component in this herb oil.
- Carvacrol
This is the most beneficial components in oregano oil. Carvacrol has proven to be effective to get rid of infections caused by bacteria. This component can fight against bacteria such as Escherichia coli, salmonella, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas, staphylococcus, and Aspergillus mold.
- Thymol
This component contains antiseptic properties which will boost your immunity and protect your body from toxins and prevent tissue damage.
- Naringin
This component is also very fundamental for immune systems in the body. Naringin could prevent the growth of cancer cells and boost the release of antioxidant contained in oregano oil.
- Terpenes
This component is widely known for its antibacterial properties. This component is essential to protect your body from any kind of infections that caused by bacteria.
- Beta charyophilin
This component is essential because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This component is also beneficial to prevent osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis.
- Rosmarinic Acid
This component also plays very important role for the greatness of oregano oil. Rosmarinic acid component can help you to fight against disease like cancer, asthma, and atherosclerosis. This component also contains an excellent source of antioxidant which will fight against free radicals.
How to Make Oregano Oil
Now you already know that it is truly beneficial for your health if you have oregano oil for your own. You might be wondering about the ingredients and the procedures to make this healthy oregano oil. Here are the ingredients plus the steps on how to make an oregano oil.
Ingredients:
- Oregano Leaves, either chopped or rushed
- Olive oil
- Jar with cover
How to make it:
- Prepare a saucepan, fill it with water, and then boil it. Once the water is already boiling, turn off the heat.
- Put the olive oil together with oregano leaves into the jar.
- Put the jar in the boiling water and let it sit for five to ten minutes. This step will help the oregano leaves to release its natural oil.
- Remove the jar from the boiling water and place it in a sunny window for about two weeks. Don’t forget to shake the jar every couple of days.
- After two weeks, strain the oil from its leaves and place it on another jar with cover. Don’t put your oregano oil in the direct sunlight
How to Maximize the Benefits of Oregano Oil
After you know how to make an oregano oil, you might be wondering how to maximizes the use of your oregano oil for the benefits of your health. Well, you will read various treatments that could be applied to an essential oregano oil in the list below.
- As an Insect Repellent
To use oregano oil as an insect repellent, you can take a teaspoon of oregano oil and lemon oil in a bottle, and fill that mixture with water. Shake that bottle to make a fine emulsion, and your herbal insect repellent is ready to protect you from insects.
- As Hand Sanitizer
To use oregano oil as hand sanitizer, you must mix 10 drops of oregano oil with two tablespoons of coconut oil to dilute the oil of oregano. Then, you can rub that mixture into your hand, and your hand becomes smooth and soft.
- As Inhaler
If you are suffering from disease associated with your respiratory system, you could inhale the steam of oregano oil. First, you put one drop of oregano oil into a boiling water and inhale the steam that came out of that boiling water at least once per day until you feel better.
- As Skin Lotion
Many experts say that oregano oil could be used to fight against skin problem like acne due to its anti-inflammatory attributes. You could mix the oregano oil and olive or coconut oil at the same amount. Then rub those mixtures into your acne before you go to bed.
- As Mouthwashes
As already mentioned in the health benefits of oregano oil section, this essential oil contains an anti-bacterial attributes which will kill any bacteria and germs in your mouth. You could add two drops of oregano oil into your toothbrush with or without toothpaste.
- As Medicines For Menstrual Problems
As already mentioned above that oregano oil can relieve the menstrual problems, you could put two drops of oregano oil into your ginger tea, and drink that mixture afterwards if you have a pain caused by menstrual problems. Alternatively, you could put five drops of oregano oil and mix it with one teaspoon of coconut oil, and rub it onto your lower abdomen.
- As Medicines For Stomach Problems
One of the health benefits of oregano oil is to relieve stomach discomfort. To maximizes the use of oregano oil for this problem, you should put five to six drops of oregano oil in a lemon tea. Consume it two to three times a day until you feel better than before.
Side Effects and Precautions on Oregano Oil
While oregano oil offers you tons of benefits for your health, there are also some cautions and side effects from this essential oil that you must take a look at. Here are the side effects you should notice about oregano oil.
- It is Unsafe for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before start to consume oregano oil, otherwise you should stay away from it. Oregano oil could regulate hormones, and if pregnant women decide to consume it, there are some worries that the miscarriage could happen when the oregano oil stimulates the hormone that induced menstruation. So, you should ask your doctor for a permission before decide to consume it!
- Allergies Problem
Oregano oil could be harmful to people who have allergies with basil, lavender, mint, or sage. People who have those allergies commonly also have allergies to oregano and its essential oil.
- Don’t Use Oregano Oil as Long-term Treatment
Many experts don’t recommend the use of oregano oil as a long-term treatment of your disease since the oregano oil may will take part of iron absorption and can cause blood clotting. You should only use oregano oil as a short-term medication.
- Don’t Use Oregano Oil as Daily Supplement
You should not use oregano oil as a daily supplement before you have an agreement from your doctor.
After reading through this article, now you have an insight about oregano oil and the tons of its benefits for your health. As it is really easy to make an oregano oil, we encourage you to give it a try and we assure that you will not worried about any threats from bacteria, viruses, germs, and mosquitoes that would like to bite you during your good night sleep.