{"id":62337,"date":"2023-12-27T09:30:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T14:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62337"},"modified":"2025-11-03T19:34:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T00:34:37","slug":"oregano-oil-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/oregano-oil-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"8 benefits of oregano oil"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oregano\u2014the tasty seasoning you add to your pasta sauce\u2014and oregano oil come from the same plant, but are different compounds. The spice is the dried herb and ground up. Oil of oregano is an extract of the oregano plant. Studies have found that oil of oregano has many benefits, including improved gut health, a stronger immune system, the ability to fight fungal infections, and more. Keep reading to learn how to safely use the extract and any precautions you need to be aware of if you take this supplement.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is oregano oil?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are two types of oregano oil made from oregano plants (origanum vulgare): <\/span>oregano essential oil<\/span> and <\/span>oil of oregano<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oregano essential oil<\/b> is made by drying oregano plants, and then using a process called steam distillation (passing steam through the dried plant to obtain concentrated oregano essential oil). The resulting essential oil is mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and applied topically. You should not consume oregano essential oil orally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oil of oregano <\/b>is extracted with heat, carbon dioxide, or alcohol and can be taken as a supplement in pill or capsule form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both forms of oregano oil contain carvacrol, thymol, and rosmarinic acid compounds, which have powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and <\/span>antifungal<\/span><\/a> properties. These are thought to be the root of the benefits of oregano oil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8 health benefits of oregano oil<\/span><\/h2>\n

Oregano oil has been used in traditional cultures for centuries as a cure for many types of conditions, including <\/span>respiratory issues, indigestion, and even rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/a>. Here are eight potential benefits of oregano oil, according to modern research.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Treat gastrointestinal infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Oregano oil is good for your gut and may even help treat certain gut infections, says Yelena Wheeler, MPH, a registered dietitian nutritionist at the <\/span>National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC)<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt has antibiotic qualities due to one of its phenols,\u201d says Wheeler. This may reduce the growth of certain bacteria, such as E. coli she explains. Additionally, there\u2019s some<\/span> research showing that essential oils like oregano oil<\/span><\/a> can improve symptoms of <\/span>small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)<\/span><\/a>, which is characterized by an overpopulation of bacteria in the gut.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Improve gut health<\/span><\/h3>\n

Research<\/span><\/a> shows that oregano oil has an overall positive impact on your gut health. Specifically, <\/span>phytochemicals<\/span><\/a> found in oregano oil protect against gastrointestinal inflammation. However, this study was on animal subjects. More research is needed to determine if the benefits translate to humans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Boost immune health<\/span><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s some evidence that oregano can support and improve your immune system. \u201cOregano is known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to fight off various harmful bacteria and microbes,\u201d explains <\/span>Chrissy Arsenault, RD<\/span><\/a>, a nutrition expert based in Indianapolis, Indiana. \u201cThrough these properties, it may help give your immune system a little boost.\u201d Research backs this up as well\u2014a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> found that oregano oil has strong <\/span>antimicrobial<\/span><\/a> properties and <\/span>older research<\/span><\/a> also demonstrates the antibacterial properties of oregano oil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Prevent skin cancer<\/span><\/h3>\n

Oregano oil can\u2019t <\/span>cure<\/span><\/i> cancer, but it may help prevent it. \u201cDue to its antioxidant properties, it can have an effect on cancer prevention,\u201d Wheeler explains. For example, <\/span>a study<\/span><\/a> about <\/span>skin cancer<\/span><\/a> found that oregano essential oil had impacts on some important genes associated with inflammation, healing of wounds, and cancer signaling. This is likely due to carvacrol compounds found in oregano essential oil, according to the study.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Decrease the risk of chronic disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

Compounds in oregano oil and oregano extracts such as <\/span>flavonoids and phenolic acids<\/span><\/a> have powerful antioxidant properties, which are linked to decreased risk of certain chronic diseases. \u201cAntioxidants can fight off harmful free radicals in the body,\u201d Wheeler notes. \u201cThis might be why oregano has been traditionally associated with helping aid conditions like arthritis or diabetes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Fight bacteria<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cResearch suggests that compounds like carvacrol in oregano oil may contribute to its antibacterial effects,\u201d says Michael Green, MD, co-founder at <\/span>Winona<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIn a nutshell, oregano oil can support the body’s defense against specific pathogens.\u201d Which bacteria might oregano oil protect against?<\/span> A study<\/span><\/a> found that oregano oil showed strong antibacterial activity against several different types of bacteria, including <\/span>Staphylococcus aureus<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>MRSA<\/span><\/a>), <\/span>Acinetobacter baumannii<\/span><\/i>, and <\/span>Pseudomonas aeruginosa.<\/span><\/i> When applied topically, it may prevent skin infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Decrease inflammation in the body<\/span><\/h3>\n

Inflammation happens in the body as a result of damage to tissues, various infections, and other physical triggers. These are normal processes, but sometimes the inflammation becomes rampant and uncontrolled, leading to various health conditions, such as arthritis and cancer. According to <\/span>a study<\/span><\/a>, there is some evidence that oregano oil has <\/span>anti-inflammatory<\/span><\/a> qualities and may help reduce inflammation in the body. It\u2019s thought that carvacrol is responsible for these anti-inflammatory properties.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Treat fungal infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to both dietitian Wheeler and Dr. Green, oregano oil has antifungal properties. A <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> supports this as well: It found that oregano essential oil has the potential to protect against <\/span>Candida<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>yeast infections<\/span><\/a>), one of the most common fungi causing fungal infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

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