Oil of oregano, also called oreganol and origanum oil, is an essential oil derived from the leaves of Origanum vulgare. The herb oregano is common in Mediterranean cooking, while the oil adds fragrance to soaps and colognes. Several studies have examined the effects of a wild oregano blend oil on harmful microorganisms, according to an article published in the May 7, 2005, issue of "Dynamic Chiropractic." Consult a qualified health care provider before taking herbal supplements.
Antifungal Properties
Oil of oregano and an extract in the oil known as carvacrol inhibited the growth of the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans in a test tube study, according to the University of Michigan Health System. It worked better than the commonly used antifungal agent calcium magnesium caprylate. Overgrowth of candida causes vaginal yeast infections and more rarely, an oral condition called thrush. The study notes that research with humans is necessary to confirm antifungal benefits. A study published in the December 2001 issue of "Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry" explains that oil from origanum shows a broad range of antimicrobial activity in the laboratory, which may be due to phenolic derivatives including carvacrol and thymol. Animal research in this study found that mice infected with C. albicans experienced positive effects from eating origanum oil.
Antiparasitic Properties
Oil of oregano also shows effectiveness against parasitic infections, according to research published in the May 2000 issue of "Phytotherapy Research." Fourteen patients whose stools tested positive for the intestinal parasites Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana and Entamoeba hartmanni each took 600 mg emulsified oil of oregano daily for six weeks. In several cases, certain types of parasites were completely eliminated, most commonly B. hominis. For participants who still tested positive for B. hominis after six weeks, most experienced an improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms.
Antibacterial Effects
Research indicates that a blend of wild oil of oregano called P73 kills at least 30 types of harmful bacteria, according to the 2005 "Dynamic Chiropractic" article. It is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, for instance, and the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, which causes up to 90 percent of intestinal ulcers and 80 percent of stomach ulcers. In addition, the P73 oil of oregano blend kills coronaviruses, which cause respiratory illnesses including the common cold and pneumonia.
Psoriasis Benefits
Some psoriasis patients say oregano oil improves their symptoms, but no published research has investigated this effect, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The standard dosage is 20 to 60 drops diluted in water or juice taken twice per day.
References
- "Dynamic Chiropractic": Oil of Oregano
- "Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry": Antifungal Activities of Origanum Oil Against Candida Albicans
- "Phytotherapy Research": Inhibition of Enteric Parasites by Emulsified Oil of Oregano in Vivo
- University of Michigan Health System: Yeast Infection
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Psoriasis
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