It may be unconventional, but a common ingredient found in your home can help you manage your gastrointestinal symptoms, treat headaches, or ease your muscle pain, among other things, and that is it: oregano. This little plant should be in your kitchen and in your medicine cabinet, as it is a delicious healing agent.
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Medicinal benefits of oregano oil.
There are over 40 varieties of oregano, but Origanum vulgare is the one most linked to health benefits. You can use the fresh and dried leaves in your kitchen for flavor and medicinal benefits.
You can even extract a healthy oil from this amazing herb.
Carvacrol, the component of oregano.
Its predominant healing compound, carvacrol, is possibly the most important component in explaining why oil of oregano is so powerful. Oil of oregano should be used a little differently than fresh oregano.
More than 800 landmark studies on carvacrol are on ‘PubMed’, the world’s # 1 evidence-based literature database, which emphasizes its research on its ability to heal. Carvacrol has been shown to reverse or reduce:
- Bacterial infections.
- Yeast infections.
- Parasites.
- Virus.
- Inflammation.
- Candida.
- Allergies.
- Certain tumors.
In addition to all that, the oil is recommended as a remedy for sore throats, poor digestion, nausea, nasal congestion, cold sores, and muscle and joint pain, and as it has antimicrobial properties that make it a good preventive strategy.
Winter is notorious for illness, so oregano oil should be front and center in the pantry. Its flavor is not very pleasant, so you should take it where you can hide it better. With a tablespoon of coconut oil or, even better, honey, you can disguise it very well when you use it taken.
The uses for oregano oil are different depending on the condition, but a few drops a day for a week to 10 days are generally recommended.
Oil of oregano for colds and nasal congestion.
In addition, it relieves nasal congestion, colds and sore throats, and digestive problems. Add a couple of drops in a glass of water or juice and drink. For nasal congestion you can also rub some diluted oregano oil or directly into the sinuses to relieve. Oil of oregano is anti-inflammatory and packed with antioxidants, thus offering wonderful immune support.
Oil of oregano for muscle aches, arthritis, aches and pains.
Massage into the affected area to relieve pain and inflammation. Dilute with olive oil and always test in a small area.
Oil of oregano as an antimicrobial.
Oil of oregano can also be used topically as an antimicrobial agent. Mix a few drops with a teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil and apply to a cut, or to help heal a yeast infection. This can also be applied to gums in cases of oral problems.
Oil of oregano as a disinfectant.
And lastly, a disinfectant can be made by mixing 10 drops of oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Rub this mixture on your hands all day to keep germs away.
How to make oregano oil?
Oregano is happy to grow on a window sill in your kitchen or on a small plot in your garden. The little bundles that hang upside down in your home are cute and functional, and you can trim them a bit when you need to.
Oil of oregano can be extracted from dried oregano through a process of steam distillation to produce a strong, spicy-smelling, yellowish-brown elixir that can be used to treat a whole host of ailments. Medicinal grade oregano is distilled to extract the essential oil and preserve its healing compounds.
Here we will make our own oregano oil in a homemade and easy way. Not in the professional way because it is more elaborate, but this oil will also be very useful for the purpose we want to use it.
If you have some fresh oregano on hand, you can make your own oregano oil. You will need a 1: 1 oregano/oil ratio, or you can use more oregano to make a stronger batch. You can use 1/2 cup of oregano and 1/2 cup of olive oil.
- Wash and dry the oregano.
- Place the oregano leaves in a glass jar with a sealable lid.
- Mash the leaves with a meat mallet or something similar. This will release the oils.
- Heat the olive oil – or grapeseed oil – until slightly warmed up. Don’t let it boil.
- Add the oil to the jar with the oregano and stir to mix for a minute or two.
- Now put the jar somewhere cool and dry for 2 weeks.
- After 2 weeks, strain the oregano from the oil.
As always, please do your own research and be careful when it comes to new herbal remedies. Oil of oregano should not be used during pregnancy.