Oregano oil is a natural substance that is made from wild oregano plants. Being wild, the oil is made without additives or chemicals. Naturopaths suggest that it can help treat a variety of symptoms and aid in weight loss.
Some preliminary research has shown that oregano oil is a germicide and has antibacterial properties. There is no scientific research linking it to weight loss; however, oil of oregano is supposed to help with digestive health and increase metabolic rate, which could help with weight loss.
What is oregano oil?
Botanically known as Origanum vulgare, oregano is a flowering plant in the same family as mint. It is often used as a herb to flavor foods.
Although it is native to Europe, it now grows all over the world. This plant has been popular since the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations used it with medicinal purposes. In fact, the name oregano comes from the Greek words "oros," which means mountain, and "ganos," which means joy or delight.
The herb has also been used for centuries as culinary spice. Oregano essential oil is obtained by air-drying the leaves and shoots of the plant. Once dried, the oil is extracted and concentrated by steam distillation.
El oregano essential oil It can be mixed with a carrier oil and applied topically. However, it should not be consumed orally. The oregano oil extract, on the other hand, can be produced through various extraction methods using compounds such as carbon dioxide or alcohol. It is widely available as a supplement and can often be found in pill or capsule form.
Oregano contains compounds called phenols, terpenes y terpenoids. They have powerful antioxidant properties and are responsible for their fragrance:
- Carvacrol. The most abundant phenol in oregano, it has been shown to stop the growth of several different types of bacteria.
- thymol. This natural antifungal can also support the immune system and protect against toxins.
- rosmarinic acid. This powerful antioxidant helps protect against damage caused by free radicals.
How to use oregano oil?
Oregano oil extract is widely available in capsule and tablet form. It can be purchased at most health food stores or online. As the concentration of oregano supplements can vary, it is important to read the directions on the packaging for instructions on how to use the product.
Oregano essential oil is also available and can be diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically. Note that no essential oil should be ingested.
There is no standard effective dose of oregano essential oil. However, it is often mixed with about 1 teaspoon (5ml) of olive oil per drop of oregano essential oil and applied directly to the skin.
Like other essential oils, keep in mind that oregano essential oil should not be taken orally.
If you are interested in taking oregano oil extract but are currently taking prescription medications, be sure to consult your health care provider before adding it to your routine. Additionally, oregano oil extract is generally not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
9 benefits of taking oregano oil
It is a natural antibiotic
The oregano and carvacrol it contains can help fight bacteria. The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus it is one of the most common causes of infection, resulting in ailments such as food poisoning and skin infections.
Research has also shown that oregano essential oil may be effective against some bacteria potentially resistant to antibiotics. This includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli, both of which are common causes of urinary and respiratory tract infections.
Although more human studies are needed on the effects of oregano oil extract, it contains many of the same compounds as oregano essential oil and may offer similar health benefits when used as a supplement.
May help lower cholesterol
Studies have shown that oregano oil can help lower cholesterol.
In one study, 48 people with mildly high cholesterol were given diet and lifestyle advice to help lower their cholesterol. 32 participants also received 25 ml of oregano oil extract after each meal.
After 3 months, those who received oregano oil had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher HDL (good) cholesterol, compared to those who received diet and lifestyle advice alone.
Carvacrol, the main compound in oregano oil, has also been shown to help lower cholesterol in mice that were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks.
The mice that received carvacrol along with the high-fat diet had significantly lower cholesterol at the end of 10 weeks, compared to those that received the high-fat diet alone.
The cholesterol-lowering effect of oregano oil is believed to be the result of the phenols carvacrol and thymol.
Powerful antioxidant
Antioxidants help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radical damage is believed to influence aging and the development of some diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
Free radicals are everywhere and are a natural product of metabolism. However, they can accumulate in the body through exposure to environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke and air pollutants.
An earlier test-tube study compared the antioxidant content of 39 commonly used herbs and found that the oregano had the highest concentration of antioxidants. It found that oregano contained 3 to 30 times the antioxidant levels of the other herbs studied, which included thyme, marjoram, and St. John's wort.
Gram for gram, oregano also has 42 times the antioxidant level of apples and 4 times that of blueberries. This is believed to be mainly due to its content of rosmarinic acid. What Oregano oil extract is highly concentrated, you need much less oregano oil to get the same antioxidant benefits as fresh oregano.
Could treat fungal infections
Yeast is a type of fungus. It may be harmless, but the overgrowth can lead to intestinal problems and infections, such as canker sores. The best known yeast is Candida which is the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide.
In test-tube studies, oregano essential oil has been found to be effective against five different types of candida, including those that cause infections in the mouth and vagina. In fact, it was more effective than any other essential oil tested.
Test-tube studies have also found carvacrol, one of the main compounds in oregano oil, to be highly effective against oral Candida.
High levels of the Candida yeast have also been associated with some intestinal conditions, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
May improve gut health
Oregano can benefit gut health in a number of ways. Intestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, pain, and bloating are common and may be caused by intestinal parasites.
An earlier study gave 600 mg of oregano oil to 14 people who had intestinal symptoms as a result of a parasite. After daily treatment for 6 weeks, all participants experienced a reduction in parasites and 77% were cured.
Participants also experienced a reduction in intestinal symptoms and the fatigue associated with the symptoms.
Oregano may also help protect against another common intestinal ailment known as "leaky gut." This happens when the intestinal wall is damaged, allowing bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream.
Has anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation in the body is linked to a number of adverse health effects. Science has shown that oregano oil can reduce inflammation.
A study with mice found that the essential oil of oregano, together with the thyme essential oil, it reduced inflammatory markers in those who had artificially induced colitis. It has also been shown that the carvacrol, One of the key components of oregano oil, it reduces inflammation.
Could help ease the pain
Oregano oil has been investigated for its pain-relieving properties.
An earlier study in mice tested standard pain relievers and essential oils, including oregano essential oil, for their ability to relieve pain. found that oregano essential oil significantly reduced pain in mice by exercising effects similar to those of the commonly used pain relievers fenoprofen and morphine.
May have cancer-fighting properties
Some studies have indicated that carvacrol, one of the compounds in oregano oil, may have cancer-fighting properties.
In test-tube studies on cancer cells, carvacrol has shown promising results against lung, liver, and breast cancer cells. It has been discovered that inhibits cell growth and causes cancer cell death.
Helps lose weight
Thanks to oregano's carvacrol content, oil of oregano can help with weight loss.
In one study, mice were fed either a normal diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet with carvacrol. Those who received carvacrol along with their high-fat diet gained significantly less weight and body fat than those who received a high-fat diet alone. Additionally, carvacrol appeared to reverse the chain of events that can lead to the formation of fat cells.
More research is needed to show that oil of oregano has a role in weight loss, but it may be worth a try as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.