While most automatically think of oregano as a kitchen ingredient, it can be put to use in many other areas of the home. Because the oil is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, it has many other purposes that you can benefit from. Try these recipes to not only enjoy the strong herb in your culinary dishes but also throughout the entire home.
Cooking
Essential oils are usually 50-70 times more powerful than herbs. This means that a single drop of oregano oil in a dish can add a serious flavor profile to pasta sauce and marinades. Instead of reaching for dried herbs in your next dish, try oregano oil instead.
Spinach Frittata
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 drop basil essential oil
- 1 drop oregano essential oil
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 10 ounce bag spinach
- 6 eggs
- salt
- pepper
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the olive oil with the essential oils in a saute pan. Add the green onions and garlic and saute on medium heat until tender. Add spinach in small bunches and continue cooking until wilted and fully heated. Set pan aside. Whisk eggs, salt and pepper together. Add the yogurt and mix thoroughly. Drain the spinach and place in a nonstick pie pan. Pour the egg mixture over and gently mix without over-stirring. Sprinkle feta on top and bake for 20 minutes or until firm. Let cool and slice. Serve with fresh cut tomatoes.
Pizza Noddle Soup
Ingredients
- 4 ounces ground beef
- 2 ounces cooked pepperoni slices, quartered
- 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- ½ onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 4 ½ cups water
- 2 drops oregano essential oil
- 8 leaves fresh basil
- 4 ounces dry macaroni noodles
Directions
Brown ground beef. Drain and combine with pepperoni, mushrooms, green pepper, onion, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, oregano oil and basil in a slow cooker. Add other seasonings if desired, like salt, pepper or ground red pepper. Cook on low for 7 to 9 hours. 30 minutes before serving, add dry macaroni. Stir and cook on high until noodles are cooked. Serve with cheese, fresh basil or other desired toppings.
Roasted Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Roma tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves
- olive oil
- sea salt
- pepper
- 1 drop basil essential oil
- 1 toothpick oregano essential oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place sliced tomatoes, onions and garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a generous amount of sea salt and pepper and drizzle olive oil on top. Cook for 1 to 2 hours or until the tomatoes and onions begin to darken around the edges. Remove and place ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse until they reach your desired consistently. If you want a thinner sauce, add a few tablespoons of water. Once desired consistency is reached, add essential oils. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Start with one toothpick of oregano oil (simply dip the end of a toothpick into the bottle and swirl into the sauce) but feel free to add more if desired. Just remember that the oil is very potent.
Note: When cooking with essential oils, always make sure that your chosen brand is labeled GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).
Cleaning
Oregano can be a great ingredient in homemade cleaning products. It’s antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal and can tackle just about any mess. It does have a strong odor though and should not be used around children. But if using in a kid-free area, try these recipes.
Oregano All Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons castile soap
- 5 drops oregano essential oil
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a glass bottle with a spray attachment. Shake well before each use.
Floor Cleaner
Ingredients
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 4 drops oregano essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together and add to a bucket of water. Mop as normal.
Body Care
Oregano oil can be great for fighting infections on the skin or scalp and can therefore improve the appearance of both as well. Try oregano oil in homemade body care products the next time you are looking for a more natural way to heal your body.
Cracked Heal Salve
Ingredients
- ¼ cup shea butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons beeswax
- ¼ cup magnesium flakes mixed
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
- 10 drops oregano essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions
Mix together the magnesium flakes and boiling water and stir until dissolved. Set aside. In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil, beeswax and shea butter until combined. Pour into a mixing bowl and allow the solution to cool until room temperature. With a hand mixer, blend for a minute and then start to slowly add the magnesium mixture. Continue blending until all of the magnesium mixture has been added. Add the essential oils last and continue blending. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes and then mix again until the solution begins to resemble a cream. Store in the refrigerator. When ready to use, apply a thick coat on cracked heals before going to sleep. Wear thick socks for best results.
Oregano Lotion
Ingredients
- 2 ounces coconut oil
- 2 ounces avocado oil
- 14 drops oregano essential oil
- 2 drops lemon essential oil
Directions
Melt the coconut oil slightly. Pour avocado and essential oils into the bottom of a sanitized jar. Cover with the coconut oil. Cover and place in the refrigerator and use as needed. This is a great moisturizing lotion that won’t leave behind a greasy residue.
Oregano Shampoo
Ingredients
- ½ cup pure liquid castile soap
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 30 drops oregano essential oil (start with less to make sure there is no irritation from the oil)
Directions
Place all ingredients in a bottle and shake to combine.
