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How to take oregano oil for its outstanding health benefits

Oregano oil has been used for over 4000 years by ancient healers to fight against numerous health conditions. By using oregano oil properly and with the right dosage, and methods, you can greatly benefit from its outstanding health benefits.

In those ancient days, oregano oil was used just as a healing herb and during the early stages, it was discovered the herb had powerful bacterial and fungi killing characteristics. The ancient healers tried it as a pain killer and as an anti-inflammatory agent and it produced outstanding results.

During the time of the Greek and the Romans, oregano was one of the most used herbs for medicinal purposes and for sustaining health. This made oregano so popular until it was even used in dressing the bride in marriages as a symbol of happiness and to bid farewell to the death for peace.

During this ancient period, the traditional healers will ask their patients to chew on fresh oregano leaves for oral conditions like toothache, cough, rheumatism (arthritis), and for indigestion. Oregano was mostly used as a spice and even to give an extra flavor to wine.

Patients will stay in close tents within which they will boil huge pots of oregano leaves and water for patients to inhale the steam for respiratory conditions and sweat out as a means of healing. Oregano oil was served as a tea for indigestion, gastrointestinal problems, and for high fever conditions.

Oregano and recent developments

With the ancient activities with oregano, numerous studies have been done to support the claims of these ancient healers and it was discovered that oregano is characterized with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasite, antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-allergic properties.

With all the outstanding health benefits of oregano and recent development, scientists were quick to explore how best the public can benefit from oregano and does lead to the production of oregano oil. The only way for the oil to be obtained in other to safeguard its rich health properties is through a unique and special distillation process also known as hydrodistillation.

During this process, the oil is obtained in a highly concentrated and potent state. Oregano oil being a highly concentrated oil and considered as a hot oil, there are strict guidelines when it comes to the usage of the oil. With this in mind when thinking of using oregano oil, we must proceed with caution as the oil can burn so badly and can cause serious complications in the system if taken in wrong doses.

Who can use oregano oil?

Oregano oil can be a “savior” but at the same time, I would say, it doesn’t play fair. I believe nature’s gifts should be beneficial to all but oregano, the “joy of the mountain” brings happiness just for some selected “mountains”. Not everyone is able to use oregano oil and especially for certain conditions.

First of all, it is very important to talk with your doctor or a professional health practitioner before using oregano oil in any way. This is in a bid for you to get professional advice about using oregano oil and you can get better guidance which can be beyond my experience. My experience with oregano coupled with some research and the experiences of close friends and family, whom I had introduced oregano to is all I have to offer. But you will need professional advice from your doctor.

Here are some of the conditions you may not want to use oregano oil with;

• If you are pregnant and/or a nursing mother. Oregano oil is a natural oil but it is highly potent and it is considered a hot oil. Using oregano oil when pregnant can cause serious damage to the fetus and even a miscarriage. For nursing mothers, oregano oil can slow the production of milk. If you are looking for breastfeeding success, then avoid the use of oregano oil (1). Oregano belongs to the Lamiaceae plant family and herbs of this plant family are known to slow the process of milk production (2). You don’t want to be the mom who will starve her baby, so, avoid oregano in any form.
• As mentioned earlier, oregano is a herb of the Lamiaceae plant family which is made up of plants like, mint, sage, marjoram, basil, and many more. If you are allergic to any of these plants then you might not want to use oregano oil. or in any other form which may trigger an allergic reaction. If you are not very sure, you can undertake a patch test by applying the diluted oil in areas not to expose like under the armpit and see how it reacts with you. If it causes redness and rashes then you might be allergic to oregano.
• If you are dealing with diabetic conditions, you should avoid using oregano oil. Oregano is known to lower blood sugar levels which is dangerous to take oregano oil alongside your diabetic medications. If you must take oregano oil, then you will have to discuss the possibilities with your doctor.
• Furthermore, oregano oil is very well known to lighten our blood and promote blood flow in the system. If you are taking anticoagulants and/or blood-thinning medications then avoid the use of oregano oil. This is one of the reasons why it is advisable not to take oregano oil at least 2 weeks before any surgery or operation. It can cause bleeding conditions.

The best ways to use oregano oil to reap the benefits of the Oil.

Oregano oil can be used in several ways and depending on the condition you are using oregano for. We can get great health benefits from oregano from the different forms of using oregano either as fresh or as an oil.

Oregano is a great and important medicinal and culinary herb that can be used in our meals and also for our general well being. Oregano, as a versatile substance, can be used for cooking, cleaning, diffusing, tea, and used internally or externally for numerous health conditions.

Using oregano for cooking

Oregano leaves add an aromatic flavor to our foods which is why oregano has been used as a spice and dressing for a very long time. The Italians are best known for using oregano for their pasta and pizzas. Oregano is used also as a dressing for salad and for seasoning foods like meat. It was discovered oregano can reduce oxidation by 71%. Oregano can also help to reduce toxic compounds that are created during any cooking process (3).

Oregano dry or fresh leaves can be used for cooking. You can sprinkle oregano leaves on your meat, chicken, fish as you bbq to give it that aromatic flavor.

Using oregano as a tea

Oregano tea can really help during the cold seasons and to fight against health conditions like indigestion, cough, cold and flu, sinus pain, and many other respiratory conditions. Again, dry or fresh oregano leaves can be used to make an oregano tea. Today, you can find oregano tea bags which makes it even easier to make an oregano tea. You can also find oregano loose chopped leaves which can be used for cooking and for tea.

To make your self a good oregano tea, add 4-6 tablespoon of oregano leaves in 2-3 cups of boiled water and let it steep for at least 10 minutes. If you grow your own oregano plant, get a hand full of oregano leaves in boiled water and let it sit for some time and drink 3 to 4 times a day.

Using oregano externally for a skin condition

Oregano oil can be used externally for a variety of skin ailments. It is very important to always dilute oregano oil properly before applying on our skin. The reason for this is because oregano is a hot oil and it can burn the skin.

Also, it is important to make sure you are not allergic to oregano oil by taking a patch test. You can apply the oil in a small or hidden area like under the arm and observe how the oil will work with you.

Using oregano oil externally helps to fight viruses and fungal which can be seen plaguing our society today. Skin conditions that can be eradicated by oregano are ringworm, eczema, acne, nail fungal, tinea versicolor, oily skin, varicose veins, rosacea, and psoriasis.

To use oregano oil on the skin, dilute 2-3 drops of oregano oil with a tablespoon of a carrier oil. Apply on the affected area 2-3 times a day.

Do you know you can use oregano oil as an insect repellent?

Here is another beneficial way of using oregano oil to fight against health detrimental insects. You can come up with your own homemade insect repellent that you can carry with you as you travel to uncertain areas. You just have to spray a mixture of oregano oil and water to the skin to repel insects and protect the skin from bites.

You can add 5-6 drops of oregano oil into a 250ml spray bottle filled with water. Before spraying to the skin, shake thoroughly and spray every 40 minutes to an hour when exposed to insect-infested areas.

You can as well simply mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil with a carrier oil and apply on the skin when exposed.

Using oregano oil with an essential oil diffuser

This is one of my favorite ways to use oregano oil. Diffusing oregano oil in your home clears the atmosphere of unwanted bacteria, goes a long way to release stress and enhances a good night’s sleep. Now, this is when you use oregano oil for a day to day well being. But you can diffuse oregano oil for numerous health conditions.

Oregano oil can be diffused in our home during cold periods to fight the flu. One of the best moments is having an oregano tea alongside diffusing the oil in your living area.

You can also diffuse oregano oil when dealing with other respiratory conditions like sinus pain, swine flu, cough, heartburn, sore throat, and asthma.

But when it comes to asthma, the condition is quite complex and oregano oil can help as a complementary treatment and not as a cure. As said earlier, asthma is a very complex health condition, while many claim oregano has helped them with their health asthma condition, others have indicated it triggers their asthma when diffused. This means if you want to give it a try, go ahead but be highly cautious and observant.

To diffuse oregano oil you can add 5-6 drops of the oil in your essential oil diffuser with about 500ml of water. You can let the diffuser run for an hour or two and switch it off for some time and switch on when necessary. This practice is highly beneficial when used in your bedroom before bedtime.

Now here is how you can still inhale oregano oil without a diffuser

You can still get the benefits of inhaling vaporized oregano oil even without a diffuser. All you need is a bowl, boiled water, and a towel. It is that easy. Now get the boiled water in a bowl and add 5-6 drops of oregano oil and place your face over the bowl and inhale. The towel comes in to prevent the steam from escaping by placing it over your head.

To get the best benefits from this method, close your eyes, and open your mouth as you inhale. Let the steam makes it’s way through the mouth and into the throat and to the respiratory tract.

Using oregano oil internally for its health benefits

Most health conditions we suffer on our skin are only but a reflection or an indicator of a virus or bacteria within our system. It is always said, our skin is the reflection of the inside. Using oregano oil only externally will take care of the health condition on our skin but the virus will still live from within.

To totally fight these health conditions we may have to consider going to war and destroy the enemy from within and as well as externally.

Oregano oil can be used internally for our general well being, to boost our immune system, to fight parasites, stomach problems, bloating, urinary tract infections, yeast, candida, and as mention earlier, even for health conditions that we can experience externally.

Again, to use oregano oil internally, you can add a few drops of the oil in a glass of water or mix the oil to a tablespoon of a carrier oil and swallow into the system.

I must warn, the taste of oregano oil can be unbearable to some people. In this case, you can use any beverage of your choice to suppress the taste of the oil.

However, you can also use oregano capsules which can keep you from the strong taste of oregano oil. You can either make your own capsules or buy as the oil exist extensively in capsules.

If you prefer to make your own capsules, then you will need empty gelatin caps, and a carrier oil to mix your oregano oil with. Remember, 2-3 drops per tablespoon of a carrier oil and fill up your empty capsules and take them internally.

Can you take oregano oil on an empty stomach?

Taking oregano internally can be a great thing but taking the oil on an empty stomach is not a good idea. As I always mention, oregano is a highly potent oil and many can’t tolerate the oil on an empty stomach. It is advisable to take oregano oil after meals and remember to drink a lot of water during any oregano protocol.

You can have a very bad experience when you use oregano on an empty stomach especially if you have a sensitive stomach.

EndNote

It is very important to pay attention to what oregano oil you can use to reap out the endless health benefits. There are numerous oregano plants that exist from different regions of the earth and the exact oregano that can be used for health purposes is the oregano with the scientific name oreganum vulgare.

Oreganum Vulgare is the plant with the full health potential. And that can be used for its anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasite, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial properties.

It is very important to make sure the oil you are planning to use is 100% organic and therapeutic grade oregano oil produced under the best production practices. Carrier oils are always advised to be used alongside your oregano oil. Never use the full strength of the oil and if you are using the oil for the first time, start with small doses and increase if recommended.

If you have other ways of using oregano oil, please share your experience by commenting below so we can learn on better alternative ways to use oregano oil.