Health Benefits Of Oregano oil
There are various possible health benefits of oregano oil. These include helping fight certain types of bacteria, acting as an antifungal agent, and reducing inflammation.
This oil can be used orally, unlike oregano essential oil, which is much more concentrated and used in aromatherapy. People should not take essential oils by mouth. In this article, we are using the term “oregano oil” for the prediluted form, often sold as “oil of oregano.”
Whether a person applies it topically or takes an oral supplement, oregano oil may be helpful for a range of conditions.
Compounds in the oil have effective antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which explain many of the benefits.
There are some risks and potential issues to consider before using oregano oil, and it may not be right for everyone. This article covers 10 of the most promising health benefits of oregano oil.
Oregano, or Origanum vulgare, is a small, bushy plant in the mint family. It is a familiar culinary herb in Italian dishes.
Oregano oil contains high levels of important compounds in its leaves and smaller stems. Oil manufacturers dry the leaves and stems, then steam-distill the plant matter to extract as many compounds as possible.
Oregano oil contains:
- carvacrol, the main active compound in oregano oil and a type of antioxidant called a phenol
- thymol, which may help protect against toxins and fight fungal infections
While oregano oil contains a significant amount, the compound thymol occurs most abundantly in thyme.
Oregano oil may have the following health benefits:
Thanks to the high levels of carvacrol, oregano oil may help fight certain types of bacteria.
For instance, Staphylococcus is a common type of bacteria that causes staph infection. Some strains occur naturally in the body, but when the bacteria grow too quickly, it can cause bothersome symptoms.
Research shows that carvacrol effectively eliminates the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, two common causes of infection.
Taking oregano oil supplements or rubbing it on the skin may help a person make use of these antibacterial effects.
Researchers are also exploring the use of oregano oil against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In a 2016 study in Frontiers in MicrobiologyTrusted Source, the authors found that a combination of oregano oil and silver nanoparticles effectively eliminated all the bacteria they tested.
Treating small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Oregano oil may help treat chronic bacterial issues, such as SIBO. People with SIBO experience gastrointestinal problems due to an overgrowth of certain bacteria in their intestines.
A 2014 studyTrusted Source found that herbal remedies, including one containing high levels of carvacrol and thymol, were effective tools in treating SIBO.
Exploring the individual effects of each compound will require more research, but these initial findings may be promising.
Oregano oil also appears to be a potent antifungal agent thanks to high levels of thymol.
A 2020 review of studies found thymol to be an effective treatment for common Candida fungal infections.
Candida causes several types of infections, including:
- oral thrush
- yeast infections
- infected toenails or fingernails
- athlete’s foot
However, the research was conducted in test tubes, and determining oregano oil’s effectiveness will require more studies in humans.
Oregano oil is also a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect the body from damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals.
Oxidative stress may lead to increased DNA damage and cell death. Oxidation may also play a role in other issues, such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, and some cancers.
Thymol and carvacrol are potent antioxidants that may help reduce oxidation. The researchers suggested that further studies explore safe doses for regular use.
Some sources claim that oregano oil may help reduce inflammation. The compound carvacrol shows anti-inflammatory effects in both animal models and in vitro studies.
Research from 2017Trusted Source looked at various investigations into carvacrol’s anti-inflammatory effects.
In one study on mice, the compound prevented obesity by affecting the genes involved in inflammation. In another animal study, the compound reduced swelling.
While the results show promise, the researchers have called for more tests on humans to determine a safe dosage.
Healing wounds
Applying diluted oregano oil to the skin may help protect smaller cuts and scrapes on the skin as they heal.
Compounds such as thymol and carvacrol could protect these types of wounds from bacterial infections.
Repelling insects
Both carvacrol and thymol may be effective insect repellents. In 2017, researchers found that these compounds repelled some ticks and mosquitos. The research included test-tube studies and those with human participants.
A more recent study found carvacrol and thymol to be an effective repellent against imported fire ants as well.
More research will help confirm this potential benefit, but rubbing diluted oregano oil on the skin may be a natural way to help repel insects.
Relieving pain
There is some evidence that oregano may be an effective pain reliever. An older animal studyTrusted Source found that an extract of oregano provided pain relief.
These results were dose-dependent — the more the animals took, the more pain relief they felt.
Notably, the researchers used a water-based extract, so the oil may not provide the same results. More research in humans could help determine an appropriate dose.
Aiding weight loss
Oregano oil may also be a helpful tool for people looking to lose weight. Researchers have found that carvacrol, the main compound in oregano oil, disrupts part of the process that leads to the creation and accumulation of fat tissue.
More direct research may help provide additional evidence for these claims.
Fighting cancer
Some sources claim that oregano oil may help fight some cancers. One 2017 reviewTrusted Source notes that the essential oil from oregano helps prevent some types of colon cancer and breast cancer from growing in test tubes.
The oil also appeared to inhibit the growth of some lung cancer and prostate cancer cells. Much of the research on cancer comes from test tubes or animal models, so people should view the results with caution and never use oils as a replacement for medical treatment.
Oregano oil is available in capsules and liquid form. It can be purchased in most health food stores and online.
The strength of each oil may vary, so it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions or work with a qualified healthcare practitioner to determine the safest dose.
People who do not enjoy the taste of oregano should choose the capsules, which they can swallow without tasting the oil.
To use oregano oil topically for skin issues, dilute one or two drops into a teaspoon of carrier oil in the palm of your hand. A person can then apply this mixture directly to the skin.
Be sure not to take too much oregano oil, as it is very potent. It is best to use it sparingly under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.
If a person takes the oil orally, there is a significant risk of burning internal tissue. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Do not use oregano oil on children or infants. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with diabetes should also refrain from using it.
Oregano oil can interfere with some medications, including lithium and diuretics. Also, it is possible to be allergic to the oil.
Oregano oil should not be consumed in the essential oil form. This can cause abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache.
A person can consume oregano oil extract as a supplement in pill or capsule form or by consuming it with a meal.
One mouse study from 2018 found oregano essential oil stopped bacterial growth in burn wounds. However, it is not currently advised to use oregano essential oil as an antibiotic in a clinical setting. More research is needed on this topic.
Oregano oil is potentially good for lung health. One 2022 study showed that oregano oil-in-water droplets were effective as an anti-cancer compound for lung cancer in humans.
More recent research showed some promise that wild oregano essential oil has an inhibitory effect on certain bacteria known to cause pneumonia.
However, more research is needed both in terms of efficacy and how one might administer the essential oil.
Oregano essential oil may offer antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Researchers are also exploring its potential use for wound healing, weight loss, and pain relief.
Oregano oil is powerful and may help with a range of issues. While it can, for example, be an antimicrobial remedy, it should not replace medical treatment.
Be careful to use oregano oil rather than essential oil, which is much stronger and not safe to consume.
Verifying many claims about oregano oil requires more extensive research on humans.