Oregano Essential Oil: Here is How It Fights Against Bacterial Infections

Perhaps most of us were introduced to oregano in a pizzeria. This popular food seasoning, apart from enhancing the taste of pizzas and sauces, has multiple health benefits. Do you know essential oil made from oregano can help treat health conditions like asthma, cold, skin sores, fungal and bacterial infections, aching muscles and cramping? Oregano oil is packed with antioxidants like thymol, terpinene, limonene, carvacrol, caryophyllene and ocimene. Due to its unmatched healing properties, wild oregano oil Australia is becoming extremely popular these days. With its rich antibiotic properties, oregano essential oil delivers great results in bacterial and fungal treatment.

How does oregano fight bacteria?

Have you ever tried putting fresh oregano on your tongue? It will give you a warm and spicy taste. This is because of a compound named carvacrol found in oregano oil. Numerous studies suggest that carvacrol is a powerful antibacterial which helps fight against various bacteria. It directly attacks the cell membranes of bacteria and stops them from producing more bacteria. That is why, oregano, with the highest concentration of carvacrol, is considered as a powerful antibiotic. The interesting part is, unlike a pharmaceutical antibiotic, oregano fights harmful bacteria without destroying helpful probiotic bacteria.

The antioxidants found in oregano have vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, lysine, arginine, tryptophan and valine in abundance. Oregano thus helps the body throw out harmful radicals that might create complex health issues.

Use of oregano in bacterial and fungal treatment:

Oregano essential oil is widely used for bacterial and fungus infection treatment, including nail fungus. Nail fungus is a quite common problem which may lead to nail discolouration, cracked nails, nail thickening, inflammation of the nail bed and surrounding skin. Oregano essential oil, if applied externally in the affected area can deliver great results. You will see the health of your nail improving just in a few days. The additional benefit is that it eliminates the chances of recurrence. Studies suggest that oregano oil can destroy fungi and candida. Therefore, it is considered as the best natural treatment for yeast infections.

Use of oregano in SIBO treatment:

There are innumerable benefits of oregano tea. Oregano tastes peppery and slightly bitter. It is also used in making a distinctly flavoured tea. Many people drink oregano tea for health benefits and it is highly effective in gastrointestinal problems. Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth popularly known as SIBO is a chronic bacterial issue which creates acute gastrointestinal problems. The problem occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the intestines. Oregano contains healing properties like thymol and carvacrol that are considered as the best herbal remedies for all intestinal problems.

Oregano is a pain reliever:

Several studies have been conducted on the benefits of oregano oil. They suggest that oregano oil has great anti-inflammatory properties. It can instantly relieve pain and has a soothing effect on the user. It is found that oregano essential oil can activate PPAR and suppress COX-2 inflammation. Several disorders like IBS, heartburn, bloating and psoriasis are caused due to inflammation and oregano treats them effectively. Again, carvacrol, a magical compound found in oregano is responsible for this. No doubt our ancients used to use oregano for multiple health conditions thousands of years back!

Helps treat traveller’s diarrhoea:

In several cases, travellers suffer through diarrhoea after consuming tainted foods or water. Oregano oil can effectively kill bacteria, parasites and worms causing stomach problems. This is a strong reason why extensive travellers should always keep oregano oil with them.

How to use oregano essential oil?

Oregano oil is gaining popularity due to its great healing properties and is easily available in the market. It is sold in both forms- liquid and capsules. Both work equally effectively but you have to choose them as per your purpose. If you despise the taste of the oil, you can go for capsules. For external application in health conditions like skin problems and nail fungus, you can buy oregano essential oil.

Is it safe? Does it have side effects?

Just like other essential oils, you should avoid using oregano oil directly on your skin. Beware, it can elicit reactions, especially if you have sensitive skin. You should dilute it with other carrier oil before usage. If you have highly sensitive skin, try applying it on a patch of your skin prior to use.