Oregano essential oil has many impressive beneficial effects. With a long list of healing properties, including antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory, the oil has the capabilities of eliminating bacteria and relieving pain. The oil can also be used around the house to kill dangerous bacteria and viruses and as a natural bug repellent. It may also be used in cooking and can be incredibly beneficial in this way, not only because of its delicious taste but also due to its high concentration of antioxidants.
Remember that when using any essential oil, including oregano, quality is of the utmost importance. A high quality oil will be distilled from ingredients that were grown without the use of chemical pesticides, harvested correctly and were extracted correctly to preserve oil molecules. The provider of your oil should stand behind their product and should have conducted third-party testing of every batch to ensure quality.
As A Cleaner
Oregano oil is a great natural cleaner and can remove even the most dangerous types of bacteria and viruses. Diffuse through the air to improve air quality or add to already existing homemade cleaners for a boost in disinfecting power. It should be noted that children under the age of six can be very sensitive to oregano oil and even when diluted in a homemade cleaner, it should be used sparingly if at all in their presence.
To keep bugs out of your home, make a spray using oregano oil and water. Spray onto windowsills and door frames to deter bugs from entering. If there is a specific area where bugs have been a problem, add one drop of undiluted oregano oil to a cotton ball and place in cupboards, under refrigerators or any other area where bugs have been seen repeatedly.
As An Expectorant
An expectorant is anything that helps to loosen mucus in the lungs or throat. It also will make it easier to get rid of any mucus build up through coughing. Oregano oil can not only help you to release uncomfortable buildups of mucus and phlegm but is also soothing for inflamed lungs and a raw throat. This makes it a great treatment for sinus infections or other nasal congestion brought on by infections. To treat with oregano oil, you can either place a couple drops into a veggie capsule and take with water before a meal or add a few drops to a pot of boiling water. Place a towel over your head and lean over the steam, take a few deep breaths and step back. Relief should be almost instantaneous. Only use oregano oil as an expectorant for a few days. If conditions get worse, seek medical attention.
As A Fungal Treatment
Fungi can cause many awful infections, both internal and external. Infections in the ears, nose and throat can be some of the most dangerous while skin and nail infections can be painful and bothersome.
Because oregano oil is anti-fungal, it can not only treat infections but prevent them from occurring in the first place. It can be taken internally to prevent infection or mixed with a carrier oil and applied directly to any current infections on the body until it has been cleared.
Because oregano oil is classified as a hot oil, it can be difficult to use topically without irritation, especially in more delicate areas of the body. For ear infections, clean the ear with hydrogen peroxide. Then dilute one drop of oregano oil with fifty drops of extra virgin olive oil. Mix well and dip a cotton swab into the solution. Gently place into the ear and move in a circle. Ear infections are more common in children than adults, so remember that oregano oil should not be used in children under the age of six unless approved by their pediatrician.
As An Allergy Reliever
Allergies are the body’s reaction to allergens that come into contact with skin, eyes, the respiratory tract or gastrointestinal tract. People can be allergic to pet dander, pollen and many different kinds of foods and may react to these substances by sneezing, developing watery eyes or more serious reactions such as swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing. Oregano oil is considered a sedative and can calm down the hypersensitivity to the allergen and can give an individual relief from allergy symptoms. Because oregano oil is also anti-inflammatory, it can help with more life threatening reactions, like a swollen throat, buying precious time until medical attention is received or other medication can be administered. For more mild allergies, add four drops of oil to a glass of water to relieve sneezing and itching. Place diluted oregano oil under the nose to relieve teary eyes and a stuffy or runny nose.
As An Anti-inflammatory
When oregano oil is applied topically, it can be soothing on many types of inflammation, internal or external. It can reduce redness and irritation to the applied area and can relieve topical pain that might be associated with arthritis or injury. If there are several areas of inflammation, the oil can be taken internally as well. Try making a cream by mixing a few drops of oregano oil with a few tablespoons of a carrier oil and applying it on the feet and on specific inflammation areas.
As A Cooking Agent
Most people know oregano as a cooking herb. It is often found in Italian cuisine but can be found in culinary dishes from all over the world. When cooking with oregano, it is often recommended to use the herb dried instead of fresh. While this can help the taste when compared to fresh oregano, the herb loses up to 90% of its healing nutrients. Essential oils not only keep their minerals, vitamins and other beneficial ingredients, they are much more potent and can therefore not only improve the flavor of a dish but also add more to the nutritional profile of your food as well. When substituting oregano oil for the herb, remember how potent the oil is. Sometimes less than a drop is enough to make up for the required measurement of oregano leaves.
