Since becoming a mother, Iโve become increasingly interested in using natural remedies to heal myself and my family. In part, it started with a very stubborn case of thrush that wasnโt responding to strong prescription medication. I headed for my health food store, became acquainted with the wall of supplements and oils, and never looked back.
One I use frequently is oregano oil. The oil is distilled from wild Mediterranean oregano (Origanum vulgare), not to be confused with the oregano commonly found in grocery stores.
5 Ways to Use Oil of Oregano
Oil of oregano is considered one of natureโs most powerful remedies [source]. It contains the phenol carvacrol, which is an effective antimicrobial [source]. Carvacrol has also been shown to kill yeast, mold, Staphylococcus (think food poisoning), and E. coli [source].
Itโs used to treat a variety of problems and can be taken in pill form, as a liquid (diluted in another liquid or oil), or used topically. Be careful when using the drops; oil of oregano is very potent and must be diluted. And be prepared for it to taste terrible!
1. Make a sanitizing + healing lotion
Mix oregano oil with coconut or olive oil for a simple hand sanitizer. Combine 6 drops of oregano oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and rub it into your hands as a natural moisturizer and disinfectant. Oil of oregano is also frequently used in skin products as an anti-inflammatory [source] to help with rosacea, psoriasis, cold sores, acne, and aging [source]. Apply it to problem areas before bed.
Oil of oregano is very strong and should be diluted with an equal amount of a carrier oil when applied topically to avoid irritation. Chances are the oil you purchase will already be diluted, but check to make sure.
This is potent stuff! Using it on broken skin might also cause irritation, though many people also use it as a first-aid remedy for small cuts.
2. Use as a natural bug repellant
Carvacrol, which is also found in mint and thyme, also works as a natural bug repellant [source]. Dilute the oil and spray on outside furniture and pets to protect them from mosquitoes.
3. Treat athleteโs foot and thrush
Because of its ability to fight candida fungal infections [source], oregano oil is often used to treat athleteโs foot and fungal nail infections [source]. Add oregano oil to a foot soak or apply oregano oil lotion.
Taking oil of oregano capsules along with other natural antifungal remedies definitely helped me beat my raging case of thrush. Please note that studies with pregnant and breastfeeding women are lacking, so talk to a doctor before using it.
4. Natural cold + flu remedy
If youโve come down with a cold or the flu, you may want to give oil of oregano a try. There are even a couple of ways you can use it if youโre feeling under the weather.
Taking oregano oil capsules can help with respiratory infections, as can adding a drop to a bowl of hot water to use as a homemade vaporizer.
5. Soothe an upset tummy
My family takes an oil of oregano capsule at the first sign of a stomach virus, particularly for diarrhea. Thatโs because research has shown its effectiveness on norovirus [source]. In animal studies, oil of oregano was used to improve intestinal barrier integrity [source]. However, oregano oil is not intended for long-term use.
Have you tried oil of oregano? How do you like to use it?
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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Great post and thanks for sharing. Oregano oil is my go to essential oil. It has worked wonders with us and we use it for almost everything.
I HAVE USED P 73 FOR YRS . IT DOES EVERYTHING AND THEN SOME. MY HUSBAND HAD THE SWINE
FLU AND WOULD NOT TAKE IT , I TOOK HIM TO THE DR. AFTER MEDS. AND TWO WKS. LATER HE GOT OVER IT,BUT I STARTED COMING DOWN WITH IT AND STARTED TAKING P73 RIGHT AWAY AND
DID NOT GET IT.
I UES IT TO BRUSH MY TEETH , TAKE A BATH WITH IT,HAND SANITIZER,I PUT IT ON ANY TYPE OF
OUT BREAK, IN MY WATER AT THE RESTAURANT,SO IF THERE IS ANYTHING IT WILL BE GONE AND
NOT MAKE ME ILL. MANY OTHER USES ALSO. THANKS
Thank you for sharing, my daughter has been feeling nauseous for about 8 months now and we cant find a cause or solution. This will rule out any tummy and intestinal bugs without unnecessary medication. And will definitely be making some hand sanitizer! ???
So many great uses and yes, it does taste terrible =)
I hadn’t heard of oil of oregano before, but I will definitely look for some now. Thank you so much for sharing your
natural remedies. I have benefited from some of them already, and look forward to learning more.
Been hearing more about this lately. It is on my list to explore. Thanks for the beautiful post on the subject.
While I haven’t tried using oregano oil, I’m very curious to try it out. Thanks for these inspiring ideas!
I love this natural alternative with multiple purposes.