Support Your Immune System With Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is widely known as nature’s potent defence against harmful organisms. This is handy don’t you think – considering our novel COVID-19.

I urge you to try this oil. If ever there’s an opportunity to try nature working at its best – it’s this. When I pop a few drops in my mouth within minutes I feel it coating my tonsils and throat like a beam of warm sunlight. Every time I feel it working.

Not only is Oregano oil highly respected within the natural health community, but it is also widely studied by the scientific community for medical use. The research and analysis of oregano oil have encompassed many topics. Here are a few.

Research on Oregano Oil

• Studies have shown its usefulness against Candida albicans, Aspergillus mold, staph, vaginal imbalance, pseudomonas, and listeria.^19-20
• A study from the US Department of Agriculture showed that oregano essential oils presented potent action against Salmonella and E.coli.¹ Other research holds the same, stating that oregano oil is such a powerful agent that it can be used to preserve food (When I first read this I wondered if it had been found to also be an anti-aging agent as well – yep, it sure has read below :).
• Studies from the Department of Food Science at the University of Tennessee and the University of the Algarve also found that similar results for oregano’s power against pathogenic germs.²
• A recent study from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University Medical Center stated the following regarding the role of essential oils for infections:

“New, safe agents are needed to prevent and overcome severe bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Based on our previous experience and that of others, we postulated that herbal essential oils, such as those of origanum (oregano oil) …offer such possibilities.”³

• In an article published by Science Daily, also found oil of oregano was found to be effective in killing Staphylococcus bacteria.⁴
• While another study published in the journal, Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology found that oregano oil could lower the negative effects of induced colitis in rats and opens the door to new ideas about its benefit to the colon and liver.

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 and carvacrol.

Here’s how they, plus the other components in oregano oil, work:⁵

• 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.⁶
• Carvacrol —Has antimicrobial, antitumor, antimutagenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic properties, making it one of the most active components of oregano oil.⁷
• Terpenes —Known for their powerful antibacterial properties.⁸
• Rosmarinic acid —An antioxidant that prevents free radical damage and has shown promise in treating allergic asthma and preventing cancer and atherosclerosis.^9,10 It also works as a natural antihistamine that helps reduce fluid build-up and swelling caused by allergy attacks.¹¹
• Naringin —inhibits the growth of cancer cells and helps boost the antioxidants in oregano oil.¹²
• Beta-caryophyllin (E-BCP) —This substance inhibits inflammation and is also beneficial for conditions like osteoporosis.¹³

Oregano oil has extremely high levels of free-radical-fighting antioxidants – agents that protect the body.

Oregano oil also provides vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, and E complex, as well as zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese and niacin.

More Health Benefits of Oregano Oil

• Resistant to redness and swelling
• Might help relieve congestion
• Supports regular menstruation and reduces the effects of menopause
• Calms sensitivities to environmental irritants
• Potent antioxidant capacity – through neutralizing free-radicals, oregano oil slows the process of cellular deterioration, thus slowing the process of aging
• Promotes digestion by stimulating the flow of bile in the digestive organs
• Supports normal fungal balance

It is also known for helping prevent and treat infections, such as:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)caused by bacteria like E. coli, Proteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.¹⁴
• Respiratory infections brought on by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria strains.¹⁵
• Yeast infections,even those that are resistant to the commonly used antifungal drug Diflucan.¹⁶
• Parasitic infections caused by the amoeba giardia — it was even found to be more effective than antibiotics like Tinidazol.¹⁷
• 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.¹⁸

As I said earlier oregano oil has also shown promise in preventing foodborne illnesses caused by pathogens like listeria, salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella dysenteriae.^19,20 Adding it to foods not only helps kill the bacteria but may also alleviate food poisoning symptoms.

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 to help protect you from bacteria aiding your immune system.²¹

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.

Side Effects of Oregano Oil and who shouldn’t use it.

Some people may experience stomach upset when ingesting oregano oil (or even the herb itself). Those who are allergic to plants from the Lamiaceae family (mint, lavender, sage, and basil) should also avoid this oil, as they may also develop an allergic reaction.²²

Oregano oil is also NOT advisable for infants and children. Pregnant or nursing women are discouraged from using oregano as the oregano oil may cause miscarriages or premature birth. In addition, there are insufficient studies to prove that oregano oil is safe for both pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.²³ That said there is no evidence to suggest consuming oregano as a herb (versus purchased herbal liquid) in meals when pregnant or breastfeeding is dangerous so I would certainly still include this health assisting herb – regularly in your diet.

This is the brand of Oregano oil that I use, Solutions4Health. I’ve found it to be incredibly medicinal. I grabbed it through a health food store but you can probably find it online too.

Please also take a read my blog on Black Seed Oil. Both of these oils are remarkably powerful for supporting our health at this time.

 

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