Oregano oil, also known as wild marjoram, comes from the Origanum vulgare plant. Native to the Mediterranean region, as well as to Central and Southern Asia, the plant grows up to 32 inches and sports purple flowers among its leaves. According to the online journal, Dig Herbs, the use of oregano oil as a medicinal dates back thousands of years -- it was used by the ancient Greeks and Chinese to heal a myriad of ailments, including swollen glands.
Consult your physician before embarking on any herbal regimen for health.
Properties
Oregano oil is a volatile oil that contains healing elements such as tannins, resins, sterols, and flavonoids -- which are considered strong antioxidants. Active properties include thymol, carvacrol, and rosmarinic acid. Thymol and carvacrol are both antimicrobials, helping to combat bacteria and fungus. Rosmarinic acid is responsible for reducing pain and swelling by blocking the path of inflammation that can be caused by a variety of infections producing swollen glands, according to "Supplement News." The properties contained in oregano oil additionally contribute to its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic function.
Using Oregano Oil for Swelling
According to the Oil of Oregano site, applying the oil to the neck and underarms may be helpful in cases where glands located in these areas are swollen. Oil of oregano helps to reduce the swelling in lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic and immune systems. When inflamed lymph nodes are treated with oregano oil, the possibility of strengthening the immune system and reducing swelling is increased due to the medicinal properties that penetrate the area. As infection decreases, so does inflammation. The oil can thus be applied in cases of strep and sore throat, ear infection, bacterial infection, and other cases that affect the glands.
What to Look For
Oregano oil should come from the Origanum vulgarae species of the oregano plant, and contain a minimum of 70 percent of carvacrol, according to iHealth Directory.
Note: Before embarking on a healing protocol with oregano oil, consult with your health-care provider to be sure there are no counter-indications.
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