Listing description
Oregano
oil is derived from the leaves and flowers of oregano (Origanum vulgare), a hardy, bushy
perennial herb, and a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family. It's native to
Europe, although it grows in many areas around the world.
Detailed description
The plant grows up to
90 centimeters (35 inches) high, with dark green leaves that are 2 to 3
centimeters (.7 to 1.18 inches) long.2
The ancient Greeks and Romans have a profound appreciation for
oregano, using it for various medicinal uses. In fact, its name comes from the
Greek words "oros" and "ganos," which are words for
mountain and joy — oregano literally means "joy of the mountain."
It was revered as a
symbol of happiness, and it was an ancient tradition to crown brides and grooms
with a laurel of oregano.3 There
are over 40 oregano species, but the most therapeutically beneficial is the oil
produced from wild oregano or Origanum vulgare that's native to Mediterranean
regions.4
Beware, though, as
many of the oregano oils sold in grocery stores are not made from this variety,
and may have little to no therapeutic value. Opt only for oregano oil made from
Origanum vulgare and Thymus capitatus, a variety that grows in Spain.5
To obtain oregano oil,
the dried flowers and leaves of the wild oregano plant are harvested when the
oil content of the plant is at its highest, and then distilled.6 The
resulting oil is golden to dark yellow, with a strong spicy odor.7
Uses of Oregano Oil
I highly recommend
adding oregano oil to your arsenal of natural healing tools, as it has a wide
range of uses. This herbal oil is a powerful antimicrobial that can help fight
off infections. Oregano oil also has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal
properties. Other ideal uses for oregano oil
are:8
•Treating foot or nail fungus. Put a few teaspoons of oregano oil in a basin of water and
soak your feet in it. You can also dilute the oil (mix a drop with a teaspoon
of olive or coconut oil), and then apply it on your nails or skin.
•Help in killing parasites and
easing infections. Dilute the oil
(mix a drop with a drop of a carrier oil such as coconut oil), and place it
under your tongue. Hold it there for a few minutes, and then rinse it out.
Repeat this at least four times a day.
•Alleviating sinus infections
and colds. Put a few drops of oregano oil in a pot of
steaming water, and then inhale the steam.
I also encourage using
the antiseptic powers of this herbal oil to clean your home. Here's one way
how: combine four drops of oregano oil with 10 drops of lemon oil and a
quarter-cup of white vinegar, and then add to a bucket of water. Use this
mixture to wipe and clean surfaces.9
Composition of Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is high in phenols, which are natural phytochemical
compounds with beneficial antioxidant effects. The two most abundant phenols in
it are:
•Thymol — a natural fungicide with antiseptic properties. It helps
boost your immune system, works as a shield against toxins, and even helps
prevent tissue damage and encourages healing.
•Carvacrol — found to be effective against various bacterial infections,
such as Candida albicans, staphylococcus, E. coli, campylobacter, salmonella,
klebsiella, the aspergillus mold, giardia, pseudomonas, and listeria.
Other healthful
compounds in oregano oil include:10
•Terpenes — known for their powerful antibacterial properties.
•Rosmarinic acid — an antioxidant that prevents free radical damage and has
shown promise in treating allergic asthma and preventing cancer and
atherosclerosis. It also works as a natural antihistamine that helps reduce
fluid buildup and swelling caused by allergy attacks.
•Naringin — inhibits the growth of cancer cells and helps boost the
antioxidants in oregano oil.
•Beta-caryophyllin (E-BCP) — this substance inhibits inflammation and is also beneficial
for conditions including osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis, as well as
metabolic syndrome.11, 12
Nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, magnesium, zinc,
iron, potassium, manganese, copper, boron, and niacin are also found in oregano
oil.
Benefits of Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has wide-reaching health benefits, but is most associated
with respiratory and immune system health. It is known for helping prevent and
treat infections, such as:
•Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by bacteria like E. coli, Proteus,and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa.13
•Yeast infections, even those that are resistant to the commonly used
antifungal drug Diflucan.15
•Parasitic infections caused by the amoeba giardia — it was even found to be more
effective than antibiotics like Tinidazol.16
•Methicillin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection — A
team of Indian and British researchers found that oregano oil has strong
antibacterial properties that can help kill this deadly superbug.17
Oregano oil has also shown promise in preventing food-borne
illnesses caused by pathogens like listeria, salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella
dysenteria. Adding it to foods not only helps kill the bacteria, but may also
alleviate food poisoning symptoms.
An animal study from
University of Arizona researchers also found that oregano oil can help kill
norovirus,18 which
causes gastroenteritis.
Oregano oil is also a prized antiseptic essential oil in
aromatherapy because its proportion of phenols is said to be the highest of all
aromatic plants. Aside from using the steam method to help relieve coughs and
other respiratory illnesses, you can also use it to:
•Ward off insects. Carvacrol in oregano oil works as a natural insect
repellant. Try putting a few drops on outdoor furniture, or apply a diluted
mixture on your skin when heading outdoors.
•Relieve bug bites and rashes,
including poison ivy rash. Apply oregano
oil diluted with olive oil on the affected areas.19
•Help heal cold sores, dandruff,
and other skin conditions. Some experts
also advocate using a diluted version to treat acne and rosacea.
•Ease sore throat. Simply add a few drops to a glass of water. It can help
alleviate toothache as well.
How Does Oregano Oil Work?
The compounds in
oregano oil work together to provide the antimicrobial effects this oil is so
well-known for. Carvacrol is its most important component, and is responsible
for many of its health benefits. Carvacrol has powerful antimicrobial
properties, and has been shown to help break through the outer cell membranes
that help protect bacteria from your immune system.22
Oregano oil can either be applied
topically or ingested, depending on the condition you're using it for. However,
I advise against using the oil full-strength, as it can irritate your skin. Do
not apply it to broken skin or open wounds.
Oregano oil is meant
for short-term use only and, if using orally, it should be taken in small doses
of four to six drops for only seven to 10 days.23
Is Oregano Oil Safe?
Yes it is, as long as
it's diluted in water or with a carrier oil (some of my top choices are jojoba,
olive, and coconut oils). Clinical herbalist Michelle Lynde says the ideal
ratio when diluting this herbal oil is one part oregano oil to three parts
carrier oil.24 I
recommend doing a spot test as well to check if you have any allergic reactions
to oregano oil. Simply apply a diluted drop on your arm and see if any
irritation occurs.
Be careful when buying oregano oil because some manufacturers sell
adulterated oils and oils made from thyme, Spanish oregano, or cultivated
oregano, which DO NOT provide any health benefit
PRICE
$175.99/KG OR $79.99/IB
For more information:
mobile: +2348039721941
contact person: emeaba uche
e-mail: emeabau@yahoo.com
