Oregano is a flavorful herb that is most commonly used in Italian cuisine. However, it may also be purified into an essential oil that is brimming with potent chemicals and antioxidants and has been shown to have positive effects on health. The extract is called oregano oil, and while being less potent than the essential oil, it seems to have health benefits whether applied topically or eaten. On the other side, essential oils are not designed to be ingested. It’s worth mentioning that oregano oil works well as a natural antibacterial and antifungal, and it may also aid in weight loss and cholesterol-lowering.
Oregano, sometimes referred to as Origanum vulgare in botany is a flowering plant that belongs to the identical family to mint. It is frequently employed as a herb to season dishes. Despite being a native of Europe, nowadays it blooms everywhere. That’s because the ancient Greek and Roman empires employed oregano as a medicine, and it has gained popularity. The Greek terms “oros,” which means mountain, and “ganos,” which means pleasure or happiness, are the origin of the word “oregano.” The plant has long been used as a spice in cooking. The plant’s leaves and branches are air-dried to produce oregano essential oil. After drying, steam is used to separate and refine the oil. You can apply oregano essential oil directly after combining it with massage oil.
Terpenoids, terpenes, and phenols are substances found in oregano. Carvacrol, Thymol, and Rosmarinic acid are the substances that give it its aroma and have potent antioxidant qualities. The most prevalent phenol in oregano, carvacrol, has been proven to inhibit the growth of numerous bacterial species. A natural antifungal, thymol also strengthens the immune system and guards against poisons. Strong antioxidant rosmarinic acid works to stave off harm from free radicals.
What are the uses and advantages of Oregano oil?
The leaves and shorter stems of oregano contain significant concentrations of key constituents. To obtain as many chemicals as needed, oil producers steam-distill the plant material after drying the leaves and stems. Although oregano essential oil, is significantly powerful and utilized in aromatherapy, this oil can be taken internally. Essential oils cannot be consumed orally. Oregano oil could become beneficial for a variety of ailments, whether it is applied directly or taken orally. Most of the advantages are caused by compounds in the oil that have potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The numerous health advantages of oregano are believed to be caused by these substances.
Following are the health advantages of oregano oil
Destroying germs
Oregano oil may aid in the battle against specific germs because of the high quantities of carvacrol it contains. For example, staph infection is typically brought on by the bacteria Staphylococcus. Some germs are presently produced by the body, but if they proliferate too quickly, they might result in uncomfortable symptoms. Infection-causing germs Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis can be successfully eliminated by carvacrol, according to research. Making utilize these antimicrobial benefits may be made easier by consuming oregano oil capsules or applying it topically. Oregano oil treatment for microorganisms resistant to antibiotics is another topic of research. In a research project published in Frontiers in Microbiology, the researchers discovered that oregano oil and silver nanomaterials worked together to completely eradicate all the germs they examined. Although additional studies are required, mouse findings suggest that oregano essential oil was virtually as efficient as medications against ordinary germs.
Potentially reduce cholesterol
Oregano oil could assist decrease cholesterol, according to studies. In one study, dietary and lifestyle recommendations were made to 48 participants who had moderately high cholesterol. After every meal, 32 subjects underwent 0.85 ounces (25 mL) of oregano oil dissolved in water. When compared to individuals who only received dietary and lifestyle recommendations, those who received the oregano condensate had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and greater HDL (good) cholesterol following three months. In rats given a high-fat diet for ten weeks, carvacrol, the major ingredient in oregano oil, has also been demonstrated to aid decrease cholesterol. The phenols carvacrol and thymol are thought to be responsible for oregano oil’s ability to decrease cholesterol. Oregano may decrease cholesterol in humans and mice with excessive cholesterol, according to research. Carvacrol and thymol are hypothesized to be the cause of this.
Effective antioxidant
Antioxidants aid in defending the body from the harm that free radicals can do. Free radical destruction is believed to contribute to aging and the onset of various illnesses, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Reactive oxygen species are a byproduct of metabolism and are present everywhere. But, being exposed to environmental variables like cigarette smoke and air pollution can cause them to accumulate in the body. Oregano has the highest quantity of antioxidants among 39 regularly used herbs, according to a previous test-tube study, which examined their antioxidant contents. Oregano oil has 42 times more antioxidants per gram than apples and four times more antioxidants per gram than blueberries. This is attributed primarily to the presence of rosmarinic acid. There are a lot of antioxidants in fresh oregano. It is substantially greater than that of the majority of veggies and fruits. Oregano oil has a high concentration of antioxidants.
Might aid in treating yeast infections
A kind of fungus is yeast. Although it may be unharmful in some cases, an excess can cause diseases like thrush and stomach issues. Candida is the best-known yeast and is responsible for the majority of yeast infections around the world. Five various sorts of Candida, including those that lead to infection in the mouth and vagina, have been discovered to be resistant to oregano oil in investigations conducted in test tubes. In actuality, it was more efficient than any other tested essential oil. Carvacrol, one of the key components of oregano oil, has also been shown in test-tube tests to be highly efficient against oral Candida.
It might enhance intestinal health
There are numerous ways that oregano might improve intestinal health. Gut parasites may be the source of obvious signs like diarrhea, discomfort, and bloating. In an earlier trial, 14 persons with intestinal symptoms brought on by a parasite received 600 mg of oregano oil. All subjects saw fewer parasites after receiving therapy every day for six weeks, and 77% of them were treated. Additionally, the respondents described lessened fatigue and gastrointestinal issues. The condition known as “leaky gut,” another prevalent digestive ailment, may also be helped by oregano. This occurs when the gut wall is compromised, enabling poisons and germs to enter the bloodstream. Oregano oil shielded the gut wall from harm and kept it from turning “leaky gut” in pig research. Additionally, the quantity of E. coli bacteria in the intestines was decreased.
Possibility of anti-inflammatory effects
The body’s inflammation has been related to a range of harmful health impacts. According to a study, oregano oil may lessen inflammation. In one mouse experiment, oregano and thyme essential oils were observed to lower inflammatory markers in mice with experimentally induced colitis. It has also been demonstrated that carvacrol, one of the essential oregano oil constituents, reduces inflammation. In one study, mice with swollen paws or ears were directly treated with various amounts of carvacrol. Carvacrol decreased edema in the paws and ears by 35-61% and 33-43%, correspondingly. People’s research is required, however oregano oil and its ingredients have been shown to lessen inflammation in rats.
Could aid with pain relief
Researchers have looked into the pain-relieving potential of this oil. Standard medicines and essential oils, including oregano essential oil, were assessed for their capacity to reduce pain in an older mouse study. It was shown that oregano oil greatly decreased pain in rats, having effects comparable to those of fenoprofen and morphine, two of the most widely prescribed painkillers. The study suggested that the presence of carvacrol in oregano was probably responsible for these outcomes. In a related study, it was discovered that oregano extract decreased pain in rats and that the reaction was dose-dependent, meaning the rats’ perception of pain decreased as they ingested more oregano extract. In mice and rats, oregano oil may dramatically lessen pain by acting similarly to several over-the-counter painkillers.
Possibly has cancer-preventing qualities
Just several research studies have shown that carvacrol, one of the oregano oil’s constituents, may have anti-cancer effects. Carvacrol has shown encouraging outcomes against lung, liver, and breast cancer cells in test-tube investigations on cancer cells. It has been demonstrated that it stops the proliferation of cells and kills cancer cells. Although the data is encouraging, no human investigations have been performed, necessitating further study. The most prevalent ingredient in oregano oil, carvacrol, has been linked in preliminary research to the death of lung, liver, and breast cancer cells by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. Oregano oil could assist fight various malignancies, according to certain authorities. According to one study, oregano essential oil may assist protect people from various forms of breast cancer and colon cancer.
This may result in weight loss
In one experiment, mice were given one of three diets: a regular diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet containing carvacrol. In comparison to individuals who only had a high-fat diet, those who received carvacrol along with their high-fat diet developed noticeably less body mass and weight. Carvacrol also seems to stop the series of actions that can result in the creation of fat cells. Oregano oil might be worth attempting as a component of a healthy diet and behavior, but further studies are required to prove that it has a function in weight loss. Carvacrol in oregano oil may aid in weight loss, although further research on humans is required.
healing injuries
Diluted oregano oil can be used on the body to prevent minor skin scratches and wounds as they recover. Thymol and carvacrol are two substances that may be able to prevent bacterial infections in these kinds of wounds.
The Bottom Line
Both oregano oil extracts and oregano oil are commonly accessible and reasonably priced. Oregano contains a higher concentration of antioxidants than the majority of fruits and veggies and is also rich in potent substances known as phenols. Along with other ailments, oregano includes chemicals that may be useful in treating harmful bacteria, swelling, and discomfort. Overall, it seems to have many health advantages and could be helpful as a home remedy for various common ailments. Because oregano oil is so strong, be careful not to consume too much of it. It is advised to use it sparingly and only as directed by a medical professional. If someone takes the oil internally, there is a grave threat of internal tissue burning. Strictly abide by the manufacturer’s instructions.
Utilize oregano oil sparingly on newborns and children. Diabetes sufferers and women who are pregnant or nursing must also abstain from utilizing it. Lithium and diuretics are two drugs that oregano oil can interact with. Additionally, an allergy to the oil is a possibility.
Sirisha B