Oregano Benefits for Health

How oregano benefits were found?

Oregano is a spice usually used in Mediterranean recipes, as this spice is mainly cultivated since century back in this region. Origanum vulgare is the scientific name of this herbal plant, which belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Greek and Roman ancestors first recognized the medicinal value of this herb. They often used the leaves of this herb to treat skin sores due to its antiseptic effect and also alleviate muscle ache. Apart from this, this herb has different traditional medicinal applications against different ailments such as indigestion, diarrhea, asthma, and cramping. In Greece, the folk medicinal application still using Oregano infusion to combat cold and cough, digestion problems and to uphold general health. Different research study already showed the antimicrobial property of oregano is effective against foodborne pathogens.

Phytochemicals present in Oregano

The essential oil present in Oregano contains multiple bioactive phytochemicals including thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene. Apart from these major phytochemicals β-myrcene, β-caryophyllene, terpinene-4-ol, trans-sabinene hydrate, and linalool are also present in Oregano. However, the concentration of these phytochemicals differs depending upon the region where it grows, as climatic condition alters the concentration of phytochemicals. [2]

Wild Oregano containing carvacrol, has a potent anti-microbial property which has distinct effects against a wide range of microbes like bacteria, virus, fungus, and parasites. [3]

How does oregano Oil work?

• Oregano oil has multiple medicinal properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, cholesterol-lowering property, regulating metabolism, anticancer, etc. The essential oil of Oregano follows the different mechanisms of action to exerts these benefits. These are as follows:
• Thymol and carvacrol are two principal components have antimicrobial properties antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. However, combined with other herbal ingredients provide anti-microbial effect and different research studies reported this benefit of Oregano oil.
• The antioxidant property of Oregano essential oil is effective in the attack of reactive species and can prevent unwanted cell proliferation, up-regulate the body’s own defense mechanism, DNA damage, and cell death. Phenolic monoterpene components present in thymol is one of the primary components to exert antioxidant activity. Carvacrol also provides a potent antioxidant effect. The potent antioxidant property of Essential oil of Oregano effective to prevent chronic diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, which are linked to oxidative stress. This herbal ingredient widely used in food preservation and also added in nutraceutical products.
• The anti-inflammatory effect of Oregano is induced by a significant reduction of reactive oxygen species, NO synthesis, and production of inflammatory mediators like TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6. Animal research also showed that Oregano significantly reduces prostaglandin synthesis and effective to reduce edema.
• The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Oregano help to prevent cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the hypertensive effect due to vasodilatation imparted by inhibiting calcium ion influx through Cav and TRP channels leads to the prevention of vascular remodeling, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Oregano also has a cholesterol-lowering effect.
• Oregano has metabolic functioning modulating the effect. The essential oil can inhibit the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. It has been found that metabolic functioning modulating the effect of Oregano effective to provide anti-diabetic and anti-metabolic syndrome properties.  [3]

Types of Oregano

Depending upon the genera, Oregano is different varieties, such as

• Mexican oregano: Lippia graveolens and Poliomintha Bustamante
• Jamaican oregano: Lippiamicromera,
• Cuban oregano: Plectranthus amboinicus

In herbal medicinal system, different formulations are prepared with Oregano to treat different ailments, but oregano oil benefits are most well documented.

Oregano infusion: used to treat whooping cough, cough, and tension-induced headache.

Oregano tea: This formulation is also formulated to treat whooping cough, cough, and tension-induced headache.

Oregano oil: Essential oil extracted from Oregano is effective to treat muscular and rheumatic pain and toothache. This oil has potent antiseptic action.

Oregano lotion: Essential oil extracted from oregano is also added in lotion to soothe stings and bites. This lotion also acts as mosquito’s repellent.

WHAT OREGANO GOOD FOR?

Oregano, specifically oregano oil has different uses, which may be applied as alone or in combination therapy. These are as follows:

Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome

A combination of Oregano oil with Lavender oil and Elevation oil is effective to treat post-traumatic stress syndrome. Take oregano oil 2 drops, Lavender oil 3 to 4 drops and Elevation oil 3 drops in palm and rubs the hands inhale the smell of the oils till it completely absorbed and then drink sufficient water.

Oregano oil benefits for skin

Every topically applies undiluted Oregano oil on the skin tags every night and gradually it helps to disappear the skin tags. If you feel excessive warmth on the site of application, then apply lavender oil or coconut oil to cool down.

Oregano oil benefits Candida infection

Prepare a soft gelatin capsule by encapsulating 2 drops of Oregano oil and Myrrh oil along with 4 drops of Melaleuca and Coconut oil. Take this combination therapy trice a day with a meal. Use a herbal swab inside the mouth by adding 2 drops of Oregano oil with 15 drops of vegetable oil for oral thrush.

Oregano oil benefits Cold and Sore Throat 

To treat sore throat, add to 2 drops of Oregano Oil in a gargle. But it must be diluted sufficiently in the gargle, otherwise, it causes heat in the throat area.

Oregano oil for Nail Fungus

Toenails infection: Prepare an herbal preparation by adding 1 drop of Oregano oil, 2 drops of Myrrh and 4 drops of Melaleuca and Lavender oil. Apply this combination therapy on around the nail bed and on the top of the nail twice a day until the infection subsided.

Aggressive nature of infection: Prepare an herbal preparation by adding 3 drops of Oregano oil, 2 drops of thyme and 10 drops of Coconut Oil. Apply this combination therapy only at the affected part but not in the soar skin, which can cause blister formation. Apply this remedy twice a day until the infection subsided.

Oregano oil for sinus infection

Massage the feet bottom with herbal massage oil prepared with 2 drops of Oregano oil, 5 drops of Roman Chamomile, 6 drops Lavender and 5 drops of Coconut Oil. Massage quarterly for three days in a week to get an effective result.

Oregano oil for Warts on the feet

Prepare a topical preparation by mixing with 2 drops of Oregano oil, 2 drops of On Guard, 4 drops of Lavender. Apply this preparation every night even the pain disappears to prevent the reformation of warts.

OREGANO SIDE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

What are side effects of Oregano oil?

The side effects of Oregano include skin irritation. Thymol present in Oregano is mainly responsible for the irritant property. Therefore, sensitive people should not use the concentrated formulation of Oregano.

When should I avoid oregano?

Oregano also reduces platelet aggregation and increases bleeding time. A patient who is under blood-thinning medication should cautiously use Oregano products. Oregano also has a blood sugar lowering effect, therefore patients who are taking insulin therapy or other anti-diabetic medication, for them dose adjustment of medication is important, otherwise, it can cause the hypoglycemic condition. Pregnant women should avoid Oregano, as animal research showed that Oregano increases the risk of embryonic cell death.

REFERENCES

1. Singletary, Keith. Oregano: Overview of the Literature on Health Benefits. Nutrition Today: May-June 2010 – Volume 45 – Issue 3 – p 129-138.
2. Nayely Leyva-López et al. Essential Oils of Oregano: Biological Activity beyond Their Antimicrobial Properties. Molecules. 2017 Jun; 22(6): 989. 
3. Harini. N.S. Oregano: A Wonder Herb. J. Pharm. Sci. & Res. Vol. 6(3), 2014, 127 – 129. 
4. Origanum. ScienceDirect.