Oregano oil health benefits
Oregano oil is widely known as nature’s potent defense against harmful organisms. Not only is it highly respected within the natural health community, it is also widely studied by the scientific community for medical use.
The research and analysis of oregano oil has encompassed many topics. Oregano oil has extremely high levels of free-radical-fighting antioxidants – agents that protect the body. Oregano oil also provides vitamins and minerals like vitamins A C, and E complex, as well as zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese and niacin.
Oregano oil may provide support for respiratory health, skin health, athlete’s foot, yeast infections, and harmful organisms.
Research on Oregano Oil
Studies have shown its usefulness against Candida albicans, Aspergillus mold, staph, vaginal imbalance, pseudomonas, and listeria. A study from the US Department of Agriculture showed that oregano essential oils presented potent action against Salmonella and E.coli.[1] Other research holds the same, stating that oregano oil is such a powerful agent that it can be used to preserve food. Studies from the Department of Food Science at the University of Tennessee and the University of the Algarve found that similar results for oregano’s power against pathogenic germs[2].
A recent study from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University Medical Center stated the following regarding the role of essential oils for infections:
“New, safe agents are needed to prevent and overcome severe bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Based on our previous experience and that of others, we postulated that herbal essential oils, such as those of origanum (oregano oil)…offer such possibilities.”[3]
In an article published by Science Daily, oil of oregano was found to be effective in killing Staphylococcus bacteria.[4]
Another study published in the journal, Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology found that oregano oil could lower the negative effects of induced colitis in rats and opens the door to new ideas about its benefit to the colon and liver.
More Health Benefits of Oregano Oil
• Resistant to redness and swelling
• Might help relieve congestion
• Supports regular menstruation and reduces the effects of menopause
• Calms sensitivities to environmental irritants
• Potent antioxidant capacity – through neutralizing free-radicals, oregano oil slows the process of cellular deterioration, thus slowing the process of aging
• Rosmarinic acid, a component of oil of oregano, is an antihistamine, and a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin E
• Promotes digestion by stimulating the flow of bile in the digestive organs
• Supports normal fungal balance
Action Against Harmful Organisms
A recent study on the activity of multiple essential oils against harmful organisms found that both oregano and thyme oils showed the strongest activity.
Oregano oil might help discourage the growth of enteric organisms[5]. A 6-weeks study on individuals with organisms found that supplementation with 600 mg of oregano oil daily led to a complete disappearance of the harmful organisms. It may also protect us against a wide variety of infiltration within the body, as well as the physical environment. This includes round worms, tapeworms, bed bugs, lice, fleas, and mosquitoes.
References
- Elgayyar M, Draughon F.A., Golden D.A., Mount J.R. Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Plants against Selected Pathogenic and Saprophytic Microorganisms. Journal of Food Protection. 2001 July 7. Volume 64, Number 7, pp. 1019-1024(6)
- Faleiro L, Miguel G, Gomes S, Costa L, Venâncio F, Teixeira A, Figueiredo AC, Barroso JG, Pedro LG. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils isolated from Thymbra capitata L. (Cav.) and Origanum vulgare L. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Oct 19;53(21):8162-8.
- p-73.com/pdf/staphresearch.pdf
- Georgetown University Medical Center. Oregano Oil May Protect Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Georgetown Researcher Finds. ScienceDaily. 2001 October 11.
- Mark Force, William S. Sparks, Robert A. Ronzio. Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo. Phytotherapy Research. 200 May 11. vol.14 issue3 DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(200005)14:3<213::AID-PTR583>3.0.CO;2-U.
yogaesoteric
January 17, 2023
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