Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano essential oil is derived from the stems and leaves of the oregano plant, a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean and parts of North Africa, Italy, Greece, and Tunisia. Today, the plant is cultivated all over the world: as different cultures have different types of oregano plants which are used as spices, salad dressing, and even in teas. It is important to note that there is a wide variety of oregano species, and the oregano with the highest healing powers and outstanding health benefits is the oregano plant with the scientific name Origanum Vulgare.

The origanum vulgare normally grows wild in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean region like Greece, Italy, and Turkey. The plant has been used by ancient healers to remedy common diseases and today modern science is revealing outstanding health benefits of the oregano plant (Oreganum Vulgare).

Major Characteristics of Oregano Oil

 Oregano is known to be antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-parasite, and anti-allergenic. The oil obtained from the oregano plant is highly medicinal and with far-reaching health benefits which explains why the plant is also referred to as the “miracle plant.”

With all the above characteristics and Properties of oregano oil, many today, who are seeking natural and organic ways to heal and protect themselves from the health problems plaguing our society have turned to oregano and the oil obtained from the plant. Today, oregano oil is used for conditions like dandruff, eczema, ringworm, acne, yeast, fungal, parasites, and even aging.

Using Oregano Oil For a Healthy Hair

The oregano oil is not limited by use or for any health condition and due to the characteristics and properties mentioned above, it can also be a good supporter for a healthy hair. There are no studies that have placed oregano as a good treatment or cure for healthy hair conditions directly, but if we have to connect the dots and looking at the characteristics of the oil, it can’t be limited in any way. Many people now make their own oregano oil shampoo and also, this may explain the reason why oregano oil is being used in a wide variety of shampoos today.

Some Facts that encourage healthy hair with oregano

Keeping healthy hair starts with cleaning your scalp and conditioning it properly. If you do not properly clean and condition your scalp, your hair will be subjected to various conditions including dryness and split ends. The best way to get rid of these unhealthy conditions is to massage your scalp with oregano oil mixed with natural oils like coconut oil, lavender oil, and others that can penetrate deep into your scalp. Oregano oil with its anti-bacterial properties can help remedy any scalp infection that can hinder the growth of healthy hair. Some bacteria infections of the scalp may include; acne keloidalis nuchae, tufted hair folliculitis, folliculitis, and folliculitis decalvans. (1).

Besides, oregano oil can also help protect the scalp from certain fungal and microbial infections that can affect hair growth.

Another way to help prevent hair loss and promote healthy hair is to increase blood circulation in your scalp. The circulation of blood in the scalp can make sure the scalp gets all the nutrients and oxygen to be healthy. A healthy scalp will only promote the growth of healthy hair (2). Oregano is well known to increase blood circulation in the system. However, if you are taking anti-coagulants and blood-thinning medications, you should avoid the use of oregano oil. This can cause excessive blood circulation which can further lead to bleeding.

Getting enough sleep is another factor in having healthy hair. If you are sleeping eight hours or more each night, then your body is getting enough rest and will restore itself faster when it needs to rebuild the broken strands. Also, remember that if you have a sedentary lifestyle, then this is affecting your health too. Try to get more exercise and focus on maintaining a good lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and enough sleep. Diffusing oregano oil in your room before bedtime can help you relax help with a good night’s sleep. By breathing the oregano oil into your system, it can help relax the nerves and promotes good rest.

Two Health Conditions that Can Directly Affect a Healthy Hair

There are numerous bacteria, fungal and microbial infections that can affect our scalp and consequently our hair. Here we will be looking at Dandruff and Aging.

Using Oregano Oil for Dandruff and a Healthy Hair.

Dandruff is a major scalp disorder brought about by the Malassezia furfur fungal (3). It is characterized by a scaling dryness of the scalp. The Malassezia fungal yeast can lead to pro-inflammatory free fatty acids which can further cause dermal inflammation and tissue damages. Oregano oil is known to help to treat dandruff due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is a natural way to fight fungal infected and itchy scalp. With this oregano oil can be used to eliminate dandruff and dry scalp. It can enrich the scalp and promotes the growth of strong and healthy hair.

Using Oregano Oil For Aging.

Aging is a natural phenomenon that can be avoided but due to our activities and lack of proper care of the body, we turn to age fast. There are two types of aging process, intrinsic (internal or biological) and extrinsic (external) aging. The thing is intrinsic aging will always promote extrinsic aging as our outer body is simply a reflection of our inner body. Our bodies are made up of Telomeres (4) which are known to be protein and DNA stretches located at the end of our chromosomes. As we live, our cells are being bombarded by environmental, Psychological factors and even from the things we eat. This can cause issues with our DNA cells. If our cells are not well taken care of they age, and eventually, they die. As they die, they limit the Telomeres stretches and thereby permitting aging.

On the other hand, extrinsic aging affects our skin which is usually caused by our lifestyle choices. This process can also reflect on our scalp and hair loss as our cells get damaged.

Since nature can only react positively with nature, oregano oil can play a great role in keeping our cells active. Oregano essential oil may have antioxidant activity, according to some research. The antioxidant activity may be due to carvacrol (a compound that contains the chemical name of hydrogen peroxide) which is an active ingredient of oregano and is active against oxidizing free radicals (those molecules that break down oxygen molecules). The carvacrol is known to scavenge hydroxyl radicals or free radical molecules that have broken down or become inactive inside the cell. The presence of carvacrol triggers the “friendly” anti-oxidant reaction which helps prevent cells from being harmed by the harmful reactive oxygen species. In some studies, the anti-oxidant activity of carvacrol was found to be similar to the activity of fluridil, a compound that is known to stimulate collagen growth.

How do I Use Oregano Oil on My Hair?

The most common way many people use oregano oil on their hair is by adding a few drops of oregano oil mixed with their shampoo and massage the scalp thoroughly. However, you can make your own oregano hair oil and also use it on your scalp and hair. In making your own oregano hair oil, you will need coconut oil, and up to a cup, 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, and about 6-10 drops of oregano oil. You can mix this combination and use it as your own homemade oregano hair oil. You can apply this mixture at least twice a day.

Other Oils You Can Use Alongside Oregano Oil for a Healthy Scalp and Hair

Here are some essential oils you can use alongside oregano oil, coconut oil, and olive oil for a more effective experience. These other essential oils come with their own added advantage in different ways.

Using oregano oil alongside other oils for a better experience;

Lavender essential oil

Lavender oil is known to have properties that can generate the growth of cells and thereby can speed up hair growth. A study was able to demonstrate how the oil speeds up hair growth in mice(5)

You can mix 2 drops of oregano oil, about 3 drops of Lavender oil, and in about 2-3 tablespoons of carrier oil and apply directly on the scalp and wait for about 15-20 minutes before washing off with your normal shampoo.

Bergamot Oil

Bergamot oil is another essential oil that shows promising antimicrobial activities on the scalp which can help enhance a healthy scalp and hair(6).

You can mix 3 drops of bergamot oil with 2 drops of oregano oil with a carrier oil (2 tablespoons) of your choice and apply to the scalp. You can massage and keep for about 15 minutes before washing off.

Peppermint Essential Oil

A research study showed that peppermint oil increased the number of follicles, the depth of follicles, and an increase in hair growth when used on mice (6).

You can mix 2 drops of oregano oil, 3 drops of peppermint oil in 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil of your choice and apply on the scalp and keep for about 10 minutes and then wash off.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is also well known to promote hair growth due to its outstanding properties (7). You can mix 3 drops of oregano oil, a tablespoon of jojoba oil, and a tablespoon of coconut oil and apply to the scalp. You can keep for up to 20 minutes then wash off with your normal shampoo and conditioner.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary oil is known to help with hair thickness and hair growth. Some studies were able to prove that rosemary oil can perform as better as other popular hair growth treatments (8).

You can mix 2 drops of oregano oil with 3 drops of rosemary oil with 2 tablespoons of either olive oil or coconut oil and apply to the scalp. You can keep for about 15 minutes then wash it off with your shampoo and conditioner.

In other to reap the benefits of oregano oil, you must make sure you go for the origanum vulgare specie. It is very important to get a 100% organic and therapeutic grade oregano oil. Always make sure to use oregano oil alongside a carrier oil as oregano is considered a “hot” oil and can burn. To take oregano oil internally, you can simply use oregano capsules which are more convenient and easily mask the strong taste and smell of the oregano oil.