Oregano oil, oregano essential oil, oil of oregano…
The spotlight often focuses on oregano essential oil as an excellent herbal remedy. And with autumn in the breeze, winter soon to follow, and many of our kids back to school, virus season is just around the corner.
However, many of us — armed with an arsenal of anti-viral herbs, essential oils, and immune boosters — are prepared to keep our families well. Prevention is the best route to wellness.
Care is advised with all herbs and natural remedies. However, oregano is one of the more potent.
Oregano — which literally means “joy of the mountain” — dates back to the Greek and Romans. It is anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, and an antioxidant.
This article details how to choose and then use this product wisely.
What is the difference between oil of oregano and oregano essential oil?
Oil of oregano has already been diluted in a carrier oil. Oregano essential oil — or just simply oregano oil — can be diluted in a carrier oil or with water in a diffuser and then used for aromatherapy treatments.
It’s difficult to determine the strength, quality, and ratio of oregano essential oil in much of the “oil of oregano” sold today. So I recommend buying high quality oregano essential oil and diluting it yourself. Or, use a product recommended by a trusted practitioner.
We recommend this oregano essential oil.
Sourcing
There are over 40 species of oregano, and only 2 effective for healing: Origanum vulgare or Thymus capitatus. Make sure your product is sourced from one of these 2 varieties!
Both flowers and leaves are distilled to create the oil.
We recommend this oregano essential oil.
Components
2 main compounds within oregano determine its effectiveness.
Carvacrol is responsible for the oil’s potency as an antibacterial agent.
Thymol is the anti-fungal component. This phytochemical even helps to boost the immune system while shielding the body and promoting healing.
Treatments and Uses
Oregano fights infections of fungi and yeasts (such as candida) — as well as colitis, cancer, inflammation, asthma and respiratory infections, and allergies. It also balances hormones. This can ease the process of menopause or help regulate menstrual periods.
Use it topically for toenail fungus or to remove warts and moles. A 1:1 ratio of oregano oil to carrier oil is recommended for these purposes, applied with a cotton swab.
Oregano oil is not ideal for open wounds.
However, it is excellent at fighting off the flu virus, colds, and even E. coli (from food poisoning). To reduce the duration of a cold, or prevent its onset when the first symptoms arise, use oregano essential oil in a steam tent. Inhaling the steam will kill the cold virus germs.
An outdoor diffuser with oregano essential oil inhibits pests. Combine it with a carrier oil to reduce itching from bug bites and rashes.
It helps to heal cold sores, canker sores, toothaches, and sore throats (diluted in water).
It can also be used to treat both giardia and MRSA.
For what is oregano oil NOT advisable?
Infants and young children shouldn’t use oregano oil — and neither should pregnant or nursing mamas. Oregano oil can encourage blood circulation, which can increase the likelihood of menstruation or deteriorate the lining of the womb.
This increased risk of bleeding should also put others on the alert. Those about to have surgery should stop their dosage 2 weeks before the scheduled procedure, and those with bleeding disorders might be at increased risk.
It may also lower blood sugar levels and affect those with diabetes.
Oregano can cause allergic reactions in people who react to basil, mint, lavender and the other members of the Lamiaceae family.
Dosage and Duration
Up to 4 drops, 4 times daily, can be diluted in water and taken orally for no more than 10 days in a row. Why 10 days only? Overuse can kill beneficial gut bacteria or become toxic to the liver.
When using oregano essential oil topically, 1 part oregano oil to 3 parts carrier oil (such as olive, castor, or coconut) is advised.
We recommend this oregano essential oil.
Are there exceptions when one can take oregano oil for a longer duration?
In my opinion, yes, there can be exceptions.
According to personal experience, overuse of antibiotics as a child obliterated my gut flora. As a result, pathogens overran my body. Specifically one very hard-to-kill pathogen: Blastocystis hominis.
So, in cases such as this, maintaining one’s current good gut flora is not an area for concern. Obliterating an invasive species, however, is. The use of oregano oil for up to 6 weeks may be recommended by a practitioner, in addition to lifelong use of probiotics.
Daily dosage under these circumstances is based on the potency of the pill, with 100 and 2000 milligrams being the range. Finding an excellent practitioner who can help select the right supplement is very helpful!
Methods and Administration
Although internal use is not recommended long-term, oregano oil may be incorporated in other ways. Diffuse it with an EO diffuser, or add it to mouthwash, or make your own lotion!
Oil of oregano’s antimicrobial properties also make it a great household cleaner. Dr. Joseph Mercola gives this recipe for an all-purpose surface cleaner:
Combine 4 drops of oregano oil with 10 drops of lemon oil and a quarter-cup of white vinegar, and then add to a bucket of water. Use this mixture to wipe and clean surfaces.
Here are a few safe ways to take oregano oil orally:
Add one sip of water to your mouth and hold it in the back of your throat by tipping your head back. Open your mouth and squeeze 2 to 3 drops of the oil into the water. Swallow. Follow with a few gulps of fresh water.
Put the oil into a gelatin capsule just before consuming.
Mix 1 to 2 drops with a 1/4 teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive or coconut. Put the mixture under your tongue and hold it there for a few minutes. Spit it out and rinse your mouth. Do this 4 or more times daily.
In all of these scenarios, avoid getting the pure oil directly on your lips or skin. It is spicy and creates a burning sensation.
Sources
Do you use oregano oil in your healthcare routine? What’s your favorite use for this multi-purpose powerful herb?
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Natures Sunshine products is an excellent source of high quality oils as well.
Thanks for sharing, Paula!
I agree when using oregano essential oil as directed inside the mouth, for a sore throat and cut on the tongue the taste was beyond awful, really awful BUT by morning everything had healed, gone for good. I somewhat believe that if I had checked sooner it may have healed immediately but didn’t want to waste all that foul tasting stuff and not give it time to work. Excellent cure for sore throat, tongue lesion, cold sore. Thanks for recipes. PATTI
Hello, do you feel a bit of numbness or like swelling feeling in your lips for a day or 2?
We have been using oregano oil for years, even for our kids. Tried it under the tongue once, and it was torturous! Since then, we’ve used it in capsule form only – up to 5 drops at the first sign of a virus. Typically, the signs of any sickness are completely gone by the next day with only one dose. Sometimes another dose is needed, but if taken early enough it’s a very powerful antiviral and antibacterial, and we wouldn’t want to be without it. Thanks for the very detailed article!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with it. Yes, so powerful, so helpful!
I appreciate that you distinguish between Oil of Oregano and Oregano Essential Oil at the beginning of your post, but then as you give uses for it as the article goes on there are places where you say “the oil” or “oregano oil”. Which are you referencing in each case? The diluted or the pure eo? Thanks!
Amy, I think I’d need you to point to an exact sentence that is unclear, if you don’t mind. 🙂 In all the examples I see, the article shares what ratio to use- essential oil to carrier oil based on what’s being treated. I’d love to clarify further, though, if you show me where it’s needed. Thanks!
Is it safe to put oil of oregano in a diffuser or boiling water to inhale? Everything I read just mentions essential oregano oil as vapor treatment and nothing about oil of oregano.
Great information, thank you.
I have used oregano gelatin caplets from the health food store for years as a substitute for antibiotics, especially for bladder infections, along with other supplements. I have one now that works well for me.
I also give them to my family on rare occasions. It’s lots cheaper to try oregano before going to an MD to get antibiotics if the need arises.
I did use oregano when pregnant and/or nursing b/c it seemed better than the medical alternative, and I didn’t have the information you have here. Fortunately, there weren’t any ill effects.
It’s so true that oregano oil is more cost effective than antibiotics! And it’s safer as well. Also, antibiotics are only anti-bacterial whereas oregano oil will additionally address viruses and other forms of infection when the cause is unknown. Thanks for your comments!
It seems to work better if you add a carrier oil when putting oregano in a capsule. I always shake each one a bit so the two oils will mix. I have read that if you don’t do that, that too concentrated amount may adhere to areas of the GI tract or stomach and that is not necessarily good…..that goes for any oil, but especially a hot oil. I had noticed that when I would burp, it would cause a burning sensation deep in my esophagus. Have dealt with acid reflux for many years and this was part of the problem. Now that I have started mixing a carrier oil, I don’t experience the burning sensation.
Thank you for your insights! Great addition.
Hello there, in Bulgaria we use Organic Oil of Oregano with minimum 80% Carvacrol. Me and my wife take 4 drops under the tongue on an empty stomach every morning for 1 month. Then take a break. Also we take it every time we have sore throat.
Thanks and regards
Thank you, Lens! Great to hear how others use it safely and effectively.
I do not know where to begin…oregano essential should only be taken internally if under the care of a QUALIFIED aromatherapist that has extensive knowledge of aromatic medicine. Anymore that a drop is way too much considering it can damage mucous membranes in the stomach. Water does NOT dilute essential oils as they float on top of the water and can damage the delicate lining of the digestive tract. Please contact a qualified aromatherapist before walking along this dangerous path by yourself. Essential oils are wonderful but can also be very dangerous. Please do not use oregano essential oil on your children. You can cause severe permanent damage.
Thanks for the info. I have heard of this for eliminating pin worms, but I wasn’t sure about giving it to an 18 month child. Any advice? I’ve been treating the rest of our family with diatomaceous earth, but am nervous about giving it to the baby.
Sorry I got this so late. I would not use oregano oil with such a young child.
You mentioned that it can be used on MRSA. What are the directions on using it for a staph infection or for MRSA. Do you just take it internally or can you also apply around the infection. I just finished a course of antibiotics as I had a staph infection. I tried poultices and such before I went in, although I wouldn’t have tried oregano as I am pregnant. I need to find info for future reference as this is my second staph infection in a years time, and my husband has had two as well.:( I’m def on probiotics!
Hi Crystal, I’m afraid I’m getting your question quite late. I hope you have healing by now, and love that you’re careful to keep probiotics in your diet regularly. For MRSA and staph, I would definitely recommend working with a practitioner. Functional and naturopathic physicians can often offer new insights.
aloha! crystal, what was your best remedy vs staph? thank youu
Can oregano oil be used for cooking?
Hi Shelley, no, you would not want to. It is VERY spicy, too concentrated. Good question.
Yes, when I cook rice I put a drop or two of 100% organic oregano oil and you’ll love the taste of your rice.
Very informative article! Oregano oil is the ultimate antibiotic. Oregano is a powerful herb with unique healing properties. It is a great natural alternative treatment for many skin problems.
Hey.
Great article.
Thanks for the share.
Much needed info here. Do you know btw, for how long one should be without Oregano Oil if one has to use it for a long period of time? The “break period” I mean, if one wants to continue to use it again… Thanks
All the best.
Some oil of oregano products are the whole herb oregano soaked in an oil medium. Whereas others are oregano EO. And I have seen a combination of both. So it is good to know what form you are dealing with.
I also need to know how long of a break to take between cycles. I would like to use as a Preventative during flu season for my husband, 8 year old daughter and myself but have read that 10 days is the limit of daily usage. Please advise when it is safe to resume daily dosage after the 10 day regimen.!!!!!!
Hello Megan
I use the Oregano oil for 22 days 12 drops per day.Should I break dow – Pause with it.I( use it for Candida in intestine.
Thank you
Hi,
I have seen a lot of reports that you should only take oil of oregano for up to 10 days.
I am on my tenth day of oil of oregano doses for SIBO.
How long should i wait after that 10th day before taking oil of oregano again?
Thanks for your help!
-Mary
Oregano oil has so many uses for skin and health care. It works as an effective remedy to get rid of many skin problems. This oil is the best solution for daily skin care routine. Thanks for sharing.
I have been putting organic on skin spots for a couple of weeks. They are getting quite ugly and it seems like a slow process. I administer it 3 times daily. Should I continue?
Where I live is the area where Hurricane Katrina hit many of us stayed due to being stuck here and many of us also experienced an illness that we could not get treated. Later finding out we had all been exposed to black mold and it was in a respiratory system most of us used oregano oil under the tongue twice a day for 6 weeks I never had to pay a doctor.
I have used 3 drops Oil of Oregano with 2 drops of Coconut oil in a vegetable gelatin capsule 3 x a day for a week to kill pneumonia with awesome results!!
i mix 3 drops of organo essentiel oil in around 16 ml 40% vodka , try out with 1 or 2 in the beginning , i do that 2 times in the morning and 2 times at night , i think 1 week id enough for a good cleaning , ps i am not a doctor , i just try things out and find information here in internet ,
When you can’t hear out of your ears, what can you use to open them up? My daughters ears have gotten a little better…but everything is muffled. Thank you.
ear candle or warm water with salt and soap rinse as much as you can each day
Would it be safe if I were to take the the oregano essential oil orally for six weeks straight off and on?
*For a year
My friend ingested a full dropper full of straight oregano oil. She thought it was her cbd oil. She’s feeling sick with sores in her mouth. She swished with coconut oil. It helped, but she’s having flu like symptoms. Water makes it burn more. Any recommendations to get her thru this.
Hi, Frances.
I’m sorry to hear this. With that type of reaction, it is best if she seeks medical attention.
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
My herbalist doctor just prescribed 5 tablets of oregano oil (they are chalky) 3 times a day for 4 weeks and then 3 tablets 3 times a day after that for two more weeks. This seems like aLOT. Can anyone else back this level of oregano? I could only stomach six tablets the first day. Reading the side effects has me worried. He is treating candida yeast. Is it possible this could be an overdose level of oregano?
You definitely do not need that much, especially for a simple yeast infection. You should only be doing a drop to a few drops(so a capsule or 2 at most) in a day
I take doterra oregano essential oil, and it says to only take a drop a day, which I dilute in a big glass of water. I take it to keep my immune system good. Is this enough? Or should I take more for a good immune system? And is is bad I’m taking a drop everyday?
Thank you for the information, I am myself using oregano oil for blastocystis hominis and having a hard time with all the symptoms…
Could you tell me if you managed to get rid of blasto and how is your health today?
Thanks! This is an amazing article! All the info we need! You start with the photo of the NOW 25% oregano oil blend which I just bought for the first time. Someone on iHerb says it’s 75% oregano, 25% olive, but I think it must be the other way around, and the company’s website is blocked in my region so I can’t check. Is your suggested dosage (for ingestion) of 4 drops, 4 times daily, for 10 days max, suitable for the NOW 25% blend? Also, is there something we should take it with (eg. with a meal) to avoid it damaging the mucus membranes of the stomach like some people warn? PS. Love the taste! I drop it directly on my tongue, throw a swig of water in, chug it around and swallow it, followed by more water. Leaves my mouth and throat feeling the most fresh they’ve ever been!
Alex, isn’t it hot taking it that way?
I too would like to know how long the “break” period should be between cycles. I know you probably won’t like this, but I’ve been taking one oil of oregano capsule per day for over a year now. I have bronchiectasis, which predisposes me to respiratory infections, and have also tested positive for mycobacterium (MAC). Since I started taking the oil of oregano, I haven’t been sick once – in two winters! It doesn’t bother my stomach at all, but according to what I read here, I’m playing with fire. Could someone please tell me how long I should break for? Thanks!
hi
i am waqas my father is a stroke patient from last 4 month and now he have Acinetobacter baumannii & Pseudomonas aeruginosa viruses i want to know how i used oregano oil for these bacterial infection can any one help me i am very thankful
Hi Waqas, you can try the tablet or pill form of Oregano oil for a few days, see if your dad is not allergic to it. If he’s okay with no side effects, he can try the 10 day dose.
We are not health are professionals here, so always refer to your doctor, etc for health advice.
Oregano oil 10 days maximum. How long break should be taken in between?
And can you consume 3 drops in half a glass water 2x daily for the 10 days?
I really like your post. However, it is really important to mention that, since oil and water don’t mix, that diluting the oil in water to drink is, in fact, not diluting it at all, and can be very dangerous.
Oil is diluted in oil, so you would need a carrier oil, like coconut oil or olive oil, something that does not damage the stomach lining.
Hello….Thank you for this great information. Can you please tell me how long I should take Oil of Oregano drops for HSV 2? Will the oil remove it permanently?
I suffered a brain aneurysm rupture in 2015. As a result of the long ICU stay and antibiotics/pain meds I believe it wrecked my gut and digestive system. I recently have had success taking oregano oil in capsule form along with berberine and garlic. I think I am going to have to take off and on for a while to get the issue addressed. My question is, if I take the oregano oil for 2-4 weeks at a time, how long of a break do I need in between sessions? I am drinking kefir every other day for my probiotic.