Oregano oil can be used in a multitude of recipes, including dressings, dips, soups, and even more. It has a distinctive Greek taste and is strong in flavor that not many are fond of. Despite this, oregano oil is widely used across the world; but not just for food and nutritional purposes. Oregano oil is used in a great deal of beauty and health roles, including a natural antibiotic.
Oregano oil has been a top leading natural antibiotic dating all the way back to at least 2,500 years ago. Just another homeopathic remedy that probably doesn’t actually work, right? No; oregano has extraordinarily high levels of carvacrol, a powerful antibacterial that fights against multiple strains of bacteria. Oregano oil possesses the ability to bypass beneficial bacteria the human body needs to function while attacking harmful infection-causing pathogens. It has been established from studies that oregano can help treat infections, colds, pain, and more, according to Anya Vien.
Claimed by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, oregano oil combated E. Coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed that the antibacterial components of the oil hindered any further growth of the bacteria. A specific strain of E. Coli can be very dangerous if contracted and can be fairly easy to spread. With how efficiently oregano essential oil battles bacteria, it could significantly reduce the rate at which infections spread between organisms.
The oil is applied to areas of pain, acne, dandruff, psoriasis, warts, and much more, according to WebMD. Despite groundbreaking discoveries of oregano oil, there are possible uncertainties as to this product’s reliability. It’s unclear if oregano oil is safe for anyone during pregnancy, breastfeeding, with bleeding disorders, or diabetes. There is the possibility of an allergic reaction and should be consulted with a physician before use. Oregano could increase the risk of bleeding, so those with preexisting bleeding disorders should take heed with this oil. It is also believed to lower blood sugar levels, potentially dangering diabetes sufferers.
It has been found that oregano essential oil is staggeringly higher in antioxidants than blueberries, a top antioxidant-rich food. So how does one make their own nutrient-filled oil from a leaf? Taking oregano leaves and putting them into a jar with a base oil, such as almond, poured over top. Placing the jar into hot water for roughly 5-10 minutes allows for the natural oils to escape the leaves. Shaking the jar once every couple of days, leave the jar in a sunfilled windowsill for 1-2 weeks. Strain the oil into a new sanitized jar and enjoy the benefits!
Taking precautionary measures and knowledge of possible side effects, oregano oil is a powerful alternative to traditional medicine and antibiotics. Elevated levels of carvacrol in this natural antibiotic are what makes it effective in treating bacteria, fungi, and intestinal parasites. Oregano oil is recognized as a substitute for pharmaceutical treatments and is raising awareness about all this superfood can do.
