by Jane Chitty
Oregano oil is one of the precious essential oils. Many people today are waking up to age old benefits and the healing properties of different essential oils. The purpose of essential oils in their host plants is to defend those same plants against insects, environmental conditions and disease while helping the plants to grow, live, evolve and generally adapt to their surroundings. Those same benefits to the plants can be transferred to us when we use essential oils.
In the case of oregano oil, it is widely known for its germ killing, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. In fact oregano oil has become so highly respected within the natural health community that it is now being studied by scientists for its medicinal uses.
To date, research has found that:
• Oregano oil could overtake many commonly-used pain killers, such as aspirin and even morphine in its effectiveness.
• The oil also has extremely high levels of free radical-fighting antioxidants to protect the body from the development of chronic conditions over time.
• Oregano oil may also aid in the prevention and treatment of a variety of common infectious ailments including flu, psoriasis, eczema, athlete’s foot, yeast infections and bacterial infections.
• The oil is effective in killing Staphylococcus bacteria.
• Oregano oil is also equally as effective in its germ-killing abilities as common prescription antibiotics like streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin.
• It is useful in the prevention of candida albicans, aspergillus mold, staph infections, vaginal infections, pseudomonas and listeria.
• Oregano oil has strong antimicrobial properties making it an excellent and safe preservative for food – even acting against salmonella and E.coli.
• The oil could lower the negative effects of induced colitis in rats, suggesting it may be beneficial to the colon and liver.
And the cherry on the top is that, unlike so many pharmaceutical medications, oregano oil has little to zero side effects.
Oregano oil is also a excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It is high in the vitamins A C, and E complex, as well as zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese and niacin.
It is the perfect item to keep in your natural medicine cabinet. Look for organic when buying while ensuring it contains plenty of carvacrol – 70% or greater.
We derive benefits from most essential oils through absorption and aroma but in the case of oregano oil, it is possible to take it in oral form. This should be done with care and preferably under the guidance of a natural health professional as to the dosage and duration.
The oral oregano oil is available in capsule form which should be taken with a small glass of juice, water or milk. Oregano oil needs to be used consistently to build up the effect and reduce symptoms.
You can use oregano oil in the home to:
• Protect against the common cold and to help relieve congestion.
• Provide a powerful anti-inflammatory.
• Help in healing irregular menstruation as well as reducing the negative effects of menopause.
• Soothe and relieve the hyper-sensitivity of allergies.
• Slow down the process of ageing through neutralizing free radicals.
• Work as an antihistamine because of rosmarinic acid – a component of oregano oil.
• Aid digestion by stimulating the flow of bile in the digestive organs.
• Protect against fungal infections.
• Inhibit harmful parasites both internally and externally.
Always follow the instructions carefully and there are some words of warning.
1. Oregano oil comes from the same family as mint, thyme, basil and sage so if you have an allergy to any of these, you may experience a similar reaction to the oregano. Obviously any allergic reaction to the oil would mean you would need to discontinue immediately.
2. Do not use oregano oil for long term treatment because it can interfere with iron absorption and impact on blood flow. It is therefore not recommended as a daily supplement.
But if you are travelling away from home, remember to pack a small bottle Oregano oil in your suitcase for its strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Just 2 drops of high quality oregano oil in a small amount of water everyday will keep any stomach upsets at bay and should you get a sore throat, gargle with this oil/water mixture and swallow twice daily.
Sources:
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/oregano-oil/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm
(Jane Chitty writes regularly for Healing Natural Oils (www.amoils.com), a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions (including athlete’s foot, candida, eczema, psoriasis, yeast infections and many more). Jane lives in Cape Town, South Africa, but is able to spend some time in both the USA and the UK because of close family living there. She loves to compare natural treatments and lifestyles – especially in the areas of health, green living and nutrition – in these three very different countries. Her regular posts can be found at www.amoils.com/health-blog.)
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