Here, we’ll break down how oregano oil is made, its health benefits and side effects, and how to incorporate it into your day. 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. However, here are some of the most common components you’ll find in oregano oil: In traditional medicine6, 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: 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. In animal studies, researchers have found that oregano oil reduces inflammation driven by Propionibacterium acnes11, 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. Lab studies13 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 prevented14 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 study15, oregano suppressed tumor growth and appearance. And in human breast cancer cells16, the oregano species with the most antioxidant activity significantly reduced cancer cell proliferation. In rats, two weeks of consuming low doses of carvacrol increased serotonin and dopamine18 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. 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 health care provider before you add oregano oil (and any supplement) to your routine. Oregano oil may also cause gastrointestinal upset and rash in some people, Majumdar says. If this happens to you, it’s best to stop and try an alternative.
