A Natural And Simple Home Remedy: Using Oregano Oil For Cold And Flu.

Believe me, dealing with a cold and flu is one of the most annoying conditions to experience. You experience a complete breakdown and an awful feeling.  Dealing with a cold and flu even makes it hard for you to do anything except lying in your covers but using oregano oil for a cold and flu can bring immediate relief.

Here is the virus’ footprint, It comes with a sneeze, then a cough and then things take another dimension, followed by fever headaches and a runny nose.  Then takes away your appetite and making it hard for you to eat. You can feel that way for over a week if you don’t take action to remedy the situation.

The question is, can oil of oregano cure a cold? Oregano oil has been used for thousands of years to treat respiratory conditions due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Using oregano oil for cold will make you feel much better.

There exist numerous viruses going around the atmosphere that can lead to a cold no matter the time of the year.  Most often, these viruses come to play from coughs or sneezes sprayed by infected individuals. And they can survive for over 24 hours. Roaming around waiting for you to pick them up as a safe harbor. Picking these viruses into your system is a sign of a weak immune system as your body is unable to fight back.

The good news is,

Using oregano for cold is just a simple natural treatment that will save you time running to a doctor. Oregano oil can easily relieve you of these bug in your system and boost your immune system to fight back and prevent viruses from taking advantage.

What’s in “store” for you?

In the following paragraphs, you will understand why oregano oil is just what you might need for your cold. You will be able to arm yourself, with the best and proper ways to use oregano oil to relieve you from cold and flu. And how you can use oregano to build a fortress of an immune system. That will reject further attacks and locks down any vulnerability of any possible attack by these viruses.

Signs and symptoms of Cold and Flu

Flu symptoms can be characterized by;

• dry, hacking cough
• stuffy and runny nose
• moderate to high fever, although not everyone with the flu fever
• sore throat
• shaking chills
• severe muscle or body aches
• headache
• severe fatigue that may last up to two weeks
• nausea and vomiting, as well as diarrhea (most common in children)

For cold, you may be facing symptoms like

• runny or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• sneezing
• cough
• headache or body aches
• mild tiredness (1)

What is oregano oil?

Oregano oil has been used for thousands of years by ancient healers for numerous health issues. Today, oregano is still a respected herb and still being used by many people due to its outstanding health benefits.

The leaves of the oregano plant are the most useful in distilling the oregano oil. The leaves have a very strong aroma. When in dry form, it is surprising how the aroma is much stronger. Oregano leaves are being used today in oregano tea, as dressing for salads, pasta, and even pizzas.

The oregano’s content is what makes it even more interesting. It is composed of Thymol, Carvacrol (1a), Cymene, and Terpinene which are all known for their health benefits and biological effects. These key components go to work by attacking viruses right from their roots and eliminate them from our system. Living us healthy, strong, and invulnerable.

Here are the reasons why using oregano oil for cold can be a good idea;

Oregano oil is anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasite, anti-allergenic, and antioxidant (2). This implies oregano oil helps to protect the body from viral diseases, fungal infections, a variety of bacterias, parasites, and free oxidants. With these properties, using oregano oil for cold symptoms can be highly beneficial

Using oil of oregano for cold can prevent chronic diseases, boost the immune system, and detoxify the body. A weak immune system can easily pick viral infections like the cold virus flying in the environment. Taking oregano oil for a cold can help boost your immune system and fight against the cold bug.

The use of antibiotics can be detrimental to your health as antibiotics can kill both the good and bad bacteria in your system and making your immune system vulnerable to even normal viruses and bacteria. Many people are becoming aware of the consequences of using antibiotics and are more open to accepting natural alternatives like oregano. Using oregano oil for cold prevention will rather step up your immune system and help to clear the cold symptoms.

Furthermore, oregano oil can be used to treat other respiratory and cold-related conditions like cough, bronchitis, sore throat, sinus pain, asthma, swine flu, and even cold sores. That is how wonderful the oregano oil is. If oregano is considered to treat other related respiratory conditions, then applying oregano oil for the cold virus will reap the same benefits.

The use of oregano essential oil for cold can help with stomach conditions and promote digestion by stimulating bile flow in the system. This implies symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting can be taking care of by using oregano oil for colds. Also, using oregano oil for a flu treatment or remedy can be helpful as it can easily promote sweating which can control the high fever associated with cold and flu (3).

Some things to consider before using oregano oil for cold.

Using oregano oil for a cold virus can be very beneficial in many ways. But caution is important when using oregano oil.

First, it is very important to consult the advice of a medical doctor or a professional health practitioner before using oregano oil in any way. Also, another reason you need to consult with your medical doctor or a professional medical practitioner is for the fact that oregano oil can interact with other medications.

Diabetes patients should avoid the use of oregano oil as it may lower sugar levels.

If you are using some herbs or supplements with intentions to slow blood clotting or anticoagulant drugs, it is important to avoid oregano oil as it can increase bleeding.

Oregano oil is classified under the Lamiaceae plant family. Which means, if you are allergic to plants under this class, it is advisable to stay away from the use of oregano. These plants may include sage, hyssop, lavender, mint marjoram.

Pregnant and nursing mothers should not use oregano oil. Using oregano oil for cold while pregnant.

Using oregano oil for cold symptoms while you are pregnant can be really dangerous and not advisable. Oregano oil can cause serious complications to the fetus for pregnant women and can interrupt the production of milk for nursing mothers.

Oregano oil falls in the family of hot oils.

Which imply you must have to dilute oregano oil before using it. Oregano oil can burn or cause irritation to the skin (especially sensitive skin) if not diluted before use. If you are using oregano oil for the first time, It’s better to start with smaller doses of say 1% concentration. Take your time to observe how the oil will react with your body or system.

It’s of high importance to make sure the oregano oil you are planning to use is a 100% pure organic and therapeutic grade. It should be unfiltered and has about 80% carvacrol level.

The oregano oil dose for cold is very important to consider. Many still think as a natural treatment there shouldn’t be any concern with the amount of the oil you use and or how to use oregano oil for cold. It is always important to use the oil cautiously and in small doses.

Now, I am sure you know what you are dealing with we can now jump into answering your question how to use oregano oil for colds and flu

Using Oregano Oil For Cold And Flu.

Dosage of oregano oil for cold

Oregano oil can be highly effective for respiratory health issues.  Today, it is a common alternative treatment for cold and flu.  How to use oregano essential oil for cold is a very important question to ask as many people use it the wrong way and fail to reap the benefits of the oil. You can either ingest oregano oil or use topically. Oregano oil dosage for cold is not standard but it is essential to follow the right applications. Remember, if you are using oregano for the first time, try to start with smaller doses and increase if need be. Oregano reacts to people differently. Below you can read on the dosage of oregano oil for cold and the best ways it can be used.

By diffusing oregano oil for cold and flu.

To answer the question of how many drops of oregano oil can be used for cold, will greatly depend on how you intend to use the oil. For using oregano oil with a diffuser, you can mix about 5-6 drops of oregano oil with water in a steam diffuser and diffuse the mixture in your living area. Or another simple way is to use a bowl of hot water, with a few drops of oregano oil (4-5 drops). You can place the bowl close to the face, so as to inhale the vaporized concentration. Better still, you can place a towel over your head to prevent the steam from escaping.

Sniffing from the original bottle is also a common practice when dealing with the flu. Also, you can add a few drops of oregano oil on a handkerchief and inhale. Inhaling oregano oil for colds can be really effective but you will have to be careful not to get burn with the oil. Avoid the undiluted oil to get into your nostrils.

For Massaging as you undergo treatment

Using oregano oil for cold on feet, You can also mix about 2-3 drops of oregano oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage your feet. You can also massage your chest, neck, and head. 

For Ingesting oregano oil for cold and flu

Wondering how do you take oregano oil orally for a cold?  and also how much oregano oil should I take for a cold?

Well,  how to ingest oregano oil for a cold depends on the form of the oil. Oregano oil exists in capsule forms or soft gels and pure liquid oil for internal use.  For ingesting oregano oil for a cold, it is advisable to take no more than 600mg a day max and in about 2 to 3 doses.

When using oregano capsules, soft gels, pills, and tablets for cold, it is important to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s hand guide and follow the right dosage. Brands may have varying amounts of active ingredients like carvacrol and thymol in their oil.

For how many drops of oregano oil you can use for cold,  mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil with a 1 or 2 tablespoon of coconut oil.  Keep under the tongue for about 10 mins and then swallow.  Placing oregano oil under tongue for cold or in general is the fastest way the body absorbs the oil and delivers the rich nutrients all over the body and into the bloodstreams.

The same goes with mixing 2-3 drops in a glass of juice and drink at least 2 to 3 times a day. This dosage of oregano oil for cold can also be applicable to other respiratory conditions.

To prevent oil of oregano overdose, it is always important to dilute oregano oil with a carrier oil before use. Using the full strength of the oil and without a carrier oil can cause serious issues to your system. Oregano oil is highly potent and requires to be diluted before any use. It is also important to drink a lot of water when taking oregano oil.

During treatment, you can as well make yourself some tea with fresh oregano leaves. You can put in some fresh leaves in hot water and let it sit for up to 10 to 15 minutes. You can repeat for about 3-4 times during the day.

Oregano oil as a cold remedy can be very effective if used with all the above methods. Diffusing the oil in your home can help to clear your airway and reduce inflammation as you breathe in the oil. When the oil is ingested or taken orally, it fights the virus from within and helps to boost the immune system. Also, taking oregano tea will help to keep you warm and fight the sore throat you may experience when dealing with a cold or flu.

The best oregano oil for cold and for any other health condition from my experience is the Wild Oregano, Super Strength P73. It is a full-strength oil and contains all the necessary minerals required for effective treatment. If you can’t find this oil, you can look for 100% organic and therapeutic grade oregano oils with high carvacrol levels.

If you are wondering where you can buy oregano oil for your cold or for any other health issues, you can check in your local pharmacy or you can buy online from Amazon.

Using oregano for babies, toddlers dealing with a cold.

As you may already know, never use oregano oil on your children. When your little ones are showing signs and symptoms of cold-like sneezing and coughing, you can use the oregano leaves and not the oil. You can put a few leaves of oregano in hot water, pull out the leaves and massage with fingers and press a few drops of the solution you get out of the leaves into the mouth of the child. This can help fight the symptoms of a cold for children.

How often to take oregano oil for cold?

Cold symptoms can last for about a week but when using oregano oil for an effective cold treatment, you can start experiencing immediate relief. When diffusing oregano oil for cold, you can limit the level at which you diffuse the oil as soon as the symptoms start giving way. You can follow a normal routine from time to time just for general well-being. 

The same may apply for the steam therapy but it won’t be necessary to use a steam therapy when the cold symptoms are all gone. But once you feel like you might have caught a bit of a cold, you can use steam therapy from preventing the symptoms from getting worse.

When taking oregano oil orally, you may not want to exceed 14 days. You can take the oil orally 2-3 times a day but oregano oil is not to be used for a long period of time. You can take a break of like 2-3 weeks before using the oil internally again.

You can take oregano tea during the healing process and even after the healing process. Taking oregano tea regularly will contribute to boosting your immune system and also help for digestion.

What To Expect When Infected With A Cold and Flu Virus and using oregano oil

Only about 10% of upper respiratory infections are not caused by a virus. This means over 90 percent of upper respiratory infections are attributed or caused by viruses. It is commonplace for cold and flu to give way in a week but other symptoms like coughing can last for some time and up to about 3 weeks.

During the early stages of the infection.

In the first 24 hours, you will experience a headache, fatigue, and scratchy or a sore throat. After a 24 hour period, you can experience an aggravated sore throat, a slight fever, and nasal congestion.

Mid stages of the infection.

After 48 hours, the worst congestions are experienced. Ear pressure and Sinus pain become unbearable and sleeping becomes an issue.

After 72 hours, mucus might be yellowish or greenish which is a normal condition. A sore throat can be relieving at this time but given way to coughing. On day 5 to 7 energy levels increased and congestion improve

Coughing normally comes after the first week and can last for over 3 weeks to heal.

A worst case scenario can be coughing so hard, experiencing pains on the chest. Coughing out mucus mixed with blood or experiencing a high fever of over 102°F, then this can be a much more serious virus like pneumonia or pertussis. Sometimes their symptoms can manifest like for normal cold and flu.

Some habits to consider in other to avoid cold or flu.

Exposure to cold.

Exposing yourself to cold will boost your metabolism (4) and in the long run an increased immune power (5). Some practical things to do can be a splash of cold water in the morning. This is more suitable after a morning shower.  Also, you can turn off the heat and keep your window open for a time period of about 30 mins.  This is not intended when sick. You need to do this when you are not infected to boost your metabolism.

Minimal exercise.

Undertaking some light exercises can help protect us from a cold or flu.  But you should avoid going hard on your exercises when trying to prevent a cold or flu. This is because vigorous exercises can tank the immune system (10). A good way to keep your immune system up is by carrying out some resistant training exercises (6). This should not be done when sick. Most importantly if you can work out outside in the cold can be a bonus for you.  Try not to overtrain as you will make yourself more susceptible.

Consider washing your hands often as you may come in contact with the virus through touching like staircases, doorknobs or even hand contact as we can greet an infected person. 

Also, when ready to use oregano essential oil for cold, you can diffuse the oil from time to time and whenever you suspect any symptoms of a cold virus. Take the oil internally to boost the immune system and stay one step ahead of the cold virus.

Benefits of using oregano oil for cold and oregano oil for cold prevention

You can use oregano oil for cold prevention especially during the cold and flu seasons. You can make it a habit to diffuse oregano in your home from time to time during cold seasons. As you inhale the oil, it goes a long way to clear the respiratory tract and prevent any attacks. Along with diffusing oregano oil make use of oregano tea to always keep the body warm and to prevent any cold and flu symptoms. Using oregano oil for cold and flu can only make you feel much better. Oregano oil is an immune system booster due to its composition or the chemicals that make up oregano oil.

Here is how the compounds found in oregano oil will help to heal you from cold and flu;

The availability of carvacrol;

Carvacrol is the most active component of oregano oil. It has the highest concentration above all the other components. It plays a pivotal role in fighting against the symptoms of cold and flu. The carvacrol found in oregano oil is known to attack and penetrate the cell membrane of bacteria and viruses (7). Making them permeable and easy to eliminate. By attacking the viruses and bacteria from the root and host makes it very easy to destroy the virus and living our systems free of unwanted viruses.

The Characteristics of Thymol;

Using oregano oil for cold is made possible due to the characteristics of thymol.  It is considered to be the second most active compound of oregano oil. Thymol is highly antiseptic and anti-fungal (8). It plays a great role to boost our immune system and to kick out resistant viruses and bacterias. Thymol turns to cleanse and protect our respiratory tract. It is highly active in detoxifying and executes healing in the respiratory tract.

The Availability of Vitamin C;

Vitamin C can boost the white blood cells and inhibits the cold virus from spreading. Vitamin C can also react as an antioxidant and limits the virus in our system. It also places a vital role in recovering and healing the tissues after a battle with the cold and flu virus. A study published in 2013 indicates Vitamin C (9) can be used for the fight of the common cold right from the very onset of the symptoms.

Vitamin E

The availability of vitamin E in oregano oil provides a defense system for cold and flu viruses. Vitamin E is an antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and even anti-parasitic vitamin. It can go a long way to provide a barrier against cold and flu.

The Presence of Rosmarinic Acid

Rosmarinic acid possesses the characteristics of an anti-oxidant and antihistamine which helps in regulating the immune system which allows your body’s defense system to fight against cold and flu properly (10).

Some studies about oil of oregano

There have been continuous research and studies about the benefits of oregano oil. These studies and conclusions have been able to back the claims made about the potentials of oregano oil.

A study carried out by the Journal of Zhejiang University Science concluded oregano oil derived from the plants show high antioxidant properties (11). The traditional use of oregano oil was stated for treating fever which is also common with cold and flu

A study carried out to investigate the use of oregano oil and other oils for the treatment of upper respiratory infection was carried out.  In the study, eucalyptus, rosemary oil and peppermint essential oil was used. A reduced sign of symptoms was witnessed after the first 20 minutes of use (12).

A  study carried out by the Journal of Medical Food concluded oregano oil is a better and inexpensive alternative in treating a variety of infections. This is due to its natural nature and its antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial characteristics (13).

In addition, a research was carried out by the Brazilian Journal of Microbiology about the antiviral activities of oregano against animal and human viruses. It was concluded that oregano oil can inhibit viruses in human and as well as in animals. The outcome was largely attributed to carvacrol an active component in oregano oil. This is also very effective in eliminating respiratory infections like cold and flu viruses (14).

More research and studies;

A research concluded that the antimicrobial characteristic of carvacrol is suitable as a natural food and cosmetics preservative. This is due to its antimicrobial profile (15).

Also, a study which was carried out to investigate the efficiency of oregano against the Murine Norovirus (MNV). Oregano failed to exhibit the same side effects caused when we use pharmaceutical antibiotics (16).

The US National Library published a study to affirm the possibility of oregano oil to replace synthetic chemicals in some products.  It was concluded to be positive with the oregano oil from Portuguese (17).

Side Effects Of Using Oregano Oil: Using oregano oil for colds side effects

It is common to experience some minor side effects when taking oregano oil for a cold, especially for the first time. Your system will react strangely to oregano oil and want to reject it at first. You might experience some Nausea, stomach upset, burning and tingling sensation, some headache, and fatigue. These symptoms can stop after several uses of oregano oil. If these symptoms persist you should consider stopping using oregano oil.

Some frequently asked questions about using oregano oil for cold.

Is Oil of Oregano good for colds?

Oregano will always stand to be one of the best treatments of cold and flu. Oregano has been used for thousands of years by ancient healers to treat respiratory conditions like cough, bronchitis, sore throat, cold and flu. It was with such practices that the plant gain popularity and scientist became interested in the plant and decided to develop the oil for a more effective usage.

How many drops of oregano oil should I take for a cold?

For ingesting oregano, you can take 2-3 drops internally for about 2-3 times a day. You can mix 2-3 drops of oregano with a carrier oil and place under the tongue for a few seconds or minutes before swallowing. You can diffuse 5-6 drops in a 500ml essential oil diffuser in your home when dealing with a cold.

The Bottom Line

Oregano is a miraculous plant with endless health benefits. Using oregano oil for a cold can be a considerable alternative to running over to see a doctor. Organic oregano oil for colds should be your go-to oil. The oil should be of 100% organic and therapeutic grade oil. Wild oregano oil is what is good for your cold and any other health condition. Remember to always use oregano oil as recommended and you will reap the benefits of this natural God given plant.