Designed specifically for fighting bacterial infections, antibiotics are one of the medical doctors’ favorite tools for treating many health issues. There’s another underutilized natural “medicine” that many doctors don’t tell their patients about oregano oil (also called oil of oregano).
Many think of oregano as a cooking herb but it offers incredible healing properties as well. Oregano oil has proven to be a powerful, plant-derived essential oil that may rival antibiotics when it comes to treating or preventing various infections. In fact, it contains properties that are antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal.
In addition, oregano essential oil is unlikely to cause many of the harmful side effects that are commonly attributed to the high use of antibiotics — such as the increased risk for antibiotic resistance, poor gut health due to destroying beneficial probiotic bacteria, reduced vitamin absorption and leaky gut syndrome due to damage of the gastrointestinal tract’s lining.
It effectively tackles bacterial, yeast, fungal, and parasitic infections. It is simultaneously a defense and offense against colds, flu, and infections. This tincture is your go-to when your bodily balance is compromised or you’re just feeling dull. It offers powerful antioxidant protection and immune system support and helps relieve various respiratory conditions. It supports the immune system and is high in vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, C, and E are some of the most important vitamins for both internal and external health.
How does it help?
Anti-inflammatory support: Oregano contains a compound shown to inhibit inflammation and reduce pain and swelling. This may be helpful for acute inflammatory responses such as injury, but especially beneficial for those suffering from chronic, systemic inflammation such as in inflammatory bowel conditions, arteriosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Immune system support: Oregano is high in antioxidants, especially rosmarinic acid. A small amount of extract may be a better source of anti-oxidants than all of the berries and superfoods.
Respiratory support: Because of its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, studies have also shown Oregano to be effective in preventing and treating respiratory infections. In one study, the volatile oils of Oregano were shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria, especially two common to causing respiratory infections, Klebsiella pneumonia & Staphylococcus aureus.
Fighting Parasitic Infections: Oregano has been successfully used to fight parasitic infections. In one study, It was shown to be even more effective in eliminating a common infection, Giardia, than even a common drug used, tinidazole. Digestive support: Oregano can be preventative in contracting food-borne illnesses as well as help soothe the stomach and stimulate digestive juices and bile. Because of its anti-bacterial properties, it also has been shown to help fight the common stomach infection H. Pylori. Several of the active compounds found in Organum vulgare can help aid digestion by relaxing the muscles of the GI tract and also helping balance the ratio of good-to-bad bacteria in the gut. Thymol, one of oregano’s active compounds, is a similar compound to menthol, which is found in peppermint oil. Like menthol, thymol may help relax the soft tissue of the throat and stomach, which can help to decrease GERD, heartburn, and discomfort after eating. Other uses it has been shown to help with are skin rashes, fungus infections, UTIs, detox from illness by stimulating sweating, and may also help with weight loss!
Uses
Natural Antibiotic: Dilute it with a carrier oil, and apply it topically to the soles of your feet or take it internally for 10 days at a time and then cycle off. Battle Candida and Fungal Overgrowth: For toenail fungus, you can make a homemade antifungal powder that can be applied to your skin. Combine the ingredients with about 3 drops of oregano oil, stir, and then sprinkle the powder onto your feet. For internal use, take 2 to 4 drops twice daily for up to 10 days. Fight Pneumonia and Bronchitis: For external infections, apply 2 to 3 diluted drops to the affected area. To prevent internal bacterial overgrowth, ingest 2 to 4 drops twice daily for up to 10 days.
Fight MRSA and Staph Infection: Add 3 drops of oregano oil to a capsule or to the food or beverage of your choice along with a carrier oil. Take it twice daily for up to 10 days. Fight Intestinal Worms and Parasites: Take oregano oil internally for up to 10 days. Help Remove Warts: Make sure to dilute it with another oil or mix it with clay. Cleanse Mold From the Home: Add 5 to 7 drops to a homemade cleaning solution along with tea tree oil and lavender.
Studies
At Georgetown University, researchers concluded that oregano used alone or in combination with other herbs and remedies with similar healing properties is highly effective against bacteria, including E. coli. The authors concluded that due to the safety record of these natural interventions, oregano might help prevent and treat severe bacterial infections, especially those that are difficult to treat or are resistant to antibiotics drugs.
In 2011, the Journal of Medicinal Food published a study that evaluated the antibacterial activity of oregano oil against five different types of bad bacteria. After evaluating the antibacterial characteristics of the oil of oregano, it showed significant antibacterial properties against all five species. The highest activity was observed against E. Coli, which suggests that oregano oil could potentially be routinely used to promote gastrointestinal health and prevent deadly food poisoning. Because it helps balance bacteria and fights yeast overgrowth, oregano essential oil is also a popular natural treatment for candida and SIBO. SIBO is a common digestive problem that causes gas, bloating, and intolerance to many carbohydrate-containing foods
A 2014 study published in Global Advances in Health & Medicine found evidence that the use of herbal antimicrobials is just as effective as the antibiotic usually given for the treatment of SIBO. When 104 patients diagnosed with SIBO (via lactulose breath test) were treated either with rifaximin (1,200 milligrams) or herbal antimicrobials over the course of four weeks, the results showed that 46 percent of the patients treated with herbal antimicrobials experienced symptom improvements compared to only 34 percent treated with the antibiotic rifaximin.
Additionally, 14 of the 44 patients who still had SIBO after a course of rifaximin were then treated with herbal antimicrobials. Fifty-seven percent responded positively to the herbal treatment even after failing to feel better from the antibiotics.
One study found that when adults whose stools tested positive for enteric parasites (including Blastocystis hominis, which causes digestive distress) were supplemented with 600 milligrams of oregano for six weeks, many experienced significant improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms.
Researchers reported a complete disappearance of Entamoeba hartmanni (four cases), Endolimax nana (one case), and Blastocystis hominis in eight cases. Gastrointestinal symptoms improved in seven of the 11 patients who tested positive for Blastocystis hominis, which tends to cause symptoms like nausea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
