oregano essential oil

What is oregano oil?

Oil of oregano, also known as oregano extract or oregano oil, is made from the oregano plant, in the mint family Lamiaceae. To make oregano oil, manufacturers extract valuable compounds from the plant using alcohol or carbon dioxide2. Oregano oil is a more concentrated delivery of the plant’s bioactives and it can be consumed orally as a supplement.

Note: it’s different than oregano essential oil.

It’s important to note that oregano oil is not the same thing as oregano essential oil. Oregano essential oil, which is made by steaming and distilling dried oregano leaves, is meant to be diffused or mixed with a carrier oil and applied topically. But it should not be eaten on its own. Essential oils are very potent, and ingesting them in an unencapsulated form can damage the intestinal lining. 

You can read more about how to safely use essential oils here, but the remainder of this article will focus on oregano oil that can be taken orally as a supplement.

Benefits of oregano oil.

The potential benefits of oregano oil range from acne and asthma to psoriasis and wound healing.

In traditional medicine36, oregano was used for respiratory conditions, like bronchitis or a cough, diarrhea, inflammation, and menstrual disorders. However, scientific literature has not caught up to support these uses in humans. 

Here is some of the preliminary research on oregano oil along with its potential benefits:

It promotes a healthy gut microbiome.

Oregano’s antimicrobial and antifungal components, particularly the high concentrations of carvacrol, could make it helpful in balancing the gut microbiome4. In animal studies, oregano extract improved enhanced intestinal health 5and immune response while reducing oxidative stress in the intestine. And in a different animal study, it increased beneficial gut bacteria6 while decreasing disease-causing strains.

It’s antibacterial.

Oregano oil has been shown to have antimicrobial properties in preliminary research. In one study, oregano oil showed significant antibacterial activity7 against 11 microbes that were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Both carvacrol and thymol have also been studied to work with antibiotics8 to overcome resistant bacteria. 

For its antibacterial effects, functional nutrition expert English Goldsborough, FNTP, often recommends oregano oil to clients who are battling mold exposure, a sinus infection, or a cough or sore throat.

It may improve acne.

Oregano oil’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and gut-modulating effects may work in tandem to improve acne. Goldsborough said she often sees clients taking oregano oil for gastrointestinal reasons go on to experience skin improvements.

In animal studies, researchers have found that oregano oil reduces inflammation driven by Propionibacterium acnes9, a bacteria known to cause acne and skin inflammation. However, most of the research on oregano and acne has been done using topical application of oregano essential oil.

It eases inflammation.

Inflammation is a driving factor for a variety of conditions10, including arthritis, psoriasis, cancer, and Type 1 diabetes. Antioxidants found in oregano oil can combat inflammation and potentially help mitigate related diseases. 

Lab studies11 have shown that pretreating cells with oregano extract resulted in a protective effect against oxidative stress—the oxygen-dependent process that drives inflammation. 

In mice, the anti-inflammatory effects of oregano extract prevented12 animals predisposed to Type 1 diabetes—an autoimmune inflammatory disorder—from developing the disease. 

Oregano’s ability to temper inflammation shows promise in cancer treatment studies. In another mouse-model study13, oregano suppressed tumor growth and appearance. And in human breast cancer cells14, the oregano species with the most antioxidant activity significantly reduced cancer cell proliferation. 

It might improve mood.

Does oregano oil boost brain health? According to one study15, oregano extract can elevate mood and have an anti-depressive effect in animals.

In rats, two weeks of consuming low doses of carvacrol increased serotonin and dopamine16 levels, which suggests it could improve feelings of well-being. In a separate study, oregano extract fed to rats increased the expression of genes related to cognitive function and memory even when the rats were under chronic stress. But again, these are preclinical animal studies, so more research in humans is needed.

Components of oregano oil.

The beneficial components in oregano oil change depending on how the extraction is done and where the oregano was grown, says Melissa Majumdar, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

However, here are some of the most common components you’ll find in oregano oil: 

• Luteolin 7-O-glocoside, a flavonoid and antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and possible cardiovascular benefits17, according to preclinical research.
• A compound found in herbs, rosmarinic acid has been found in preclinical literature to be antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory1. Human studies have found beneficial effects, but more research is needed.
• Thymol, a compound with antibacterial, antifungal, and antibacterial activity, is currently being investigated for its role in treating respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems disorders18.
• Carvacrol is an abundant phenolic compound in oregano with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. It works by damaging the harmful bacteria’s cell wall8, causing the cellular components to leak out.

How to incorporate oregano oil into your day.

You’ll most often find oregano oil as a capsule or tincture combined with a carrier oil like olive oil. While there is no standard dose, the most common dosage of oregano oil is 30 to 60 mg daily, depending on the manufacturer. Follow the packaging instructions when using a new product.

Side effects of oregano oil.

Oregano leaf is “likely safe” in the quantities commonly occurring in foods, but oil of oregano supplements are possibly unsafe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Large doses of oregano might also increase risk of bleeding and therefore are unsafe for surgery patients. If you’re scheduled for surgery, stop all oregano oil supplementation at least two weeks before. 

Oregano oil can also interact with diabetes medications and blood thinners. So, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before you add oregano oil (and any supplement) to your routine.

Oregano oil may also cause the following side effects in some people, Majumdar says. It’s best to stop and try an alternative if side effects occur.

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