Oregano oil is an oil made from the plant Origanum vulgare: also called the oregano plant. The plant is best known for its use in Italian dishes. The dried and crushed leaves of oregano are used as an herb to flavor many dishes.
There are more ways to reap its benefits. Oregano oil is scientifically proven to fight bacteria, viruses, fungus, and microbes. Besides, it can help with inflammation, diabetes, and suppress cancer agents.
The burning questions that arise when we talk about the benefits of oregano oil are: Does oregano oil kill good bacteria? What is the oil of oregano benefits?
Oregano oil improves gut health to keep you in shape. Besides, oregano oil is a natural probiotic. But too much consumption can have adverse effects on health.
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How Does Oregano Oil Kill Bacteria?
Oregano oil when used topologically can kill common bacteria up to 24 hours after use. In research, Aeruginosa IQ0042 and AF0005 bacteria cells were exposed to oregano oil for an hour.
The oil made severe damage to the cell membrane. And it makes leaks in intercellular substances of the cells. Finally, the dissociation between cell walls destroyed the bacteria cells.
This shows oregano’s ability to kill bacteria and break it down. However, some bacteria and microbes have developed a resistance to oregano oil treatment. Such bacteria are known as antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Oregano oil used with a carrier oil can be effective in treating acne, toothaches, warts, dandruff, etc. You can use it to treat flu and cold also. Besides, it can treat respiratory problems through inhalation with steam.
Or, you can use oregano to make tea and consume it. Don’t take more than four cups of oregano tea in a day as it might cause an upset stomach.
Does oregano oil kill good bacteria?
No, oregano oil does not kill good bacteria. The effective ingredients in the oil target the cell membrane of certain infectious bacteria and destroy them for good. However, the oil does not target any beneficial gut bacteria in the stomach.
So, you can stop worrying about ‘can oregano oil kill good bacteria’. It’s time to incorporate this natural goodness into your life. Let me tell you how.
How much oregano oil is too much?
The formula of oregano oil is very concentrated. A little amount of oregano is enough to get its benefits. You should not consume more than half a teaspoon of oregano oil in a day.
Does oregano oil kill lactobacillus?
Lactobacillus is a type of good bacteria. And is considered one of the most beneficial bacteria for your health. Oregano oil does not kill lactobacillus when taken appropriately. The oil is effective to curb pathogenic and other strains of bacteria.
Oregano oil is made from the leaves and the shoots of the plant. The parts of the plant are completely dried. Then, when the leaves and shoots are dry, oil is extracted from them through pressing.
The steam distillation method later purifies the extracted oil. This distillation method separates two components from a heterogeneous mixture.
Oregano oil is a mixture of three beneficial components.
- Carvacrol
- Thymol
- Rosmarinic acid
Each of these is beneficial for different purposes. And they work all together to fight many diseases.
Carvacrol is a type of carbolic acid that is present in oregano. It helps in stopping the growth of harmful bacterias. But does oregano oil kill good bacteria? No, it’s not.
Thymol is known for its natural ability to curb fungus. It also strengthens the immune system while protecting it from harmful toxins.
Rosmarinic acid is a natural antioxidant that reduces the number of free radicals in the body.
Free radicals can cause long chain reactions in the body, known as oxidation. The issues caused can be related to heart problems, inflammation, cancer, and cataract. Oregano oil when taken correctly can help to reduce the risk of such diseases.
The herb related to the mint family is not only antiviral but also has antibacterial effects. Oregano is rich in carvacrol that can fight both viruses and bacteria. The oil can be used orally to fight viral infections.
How to take oregano oil internally?
It is safe to consume oregano oil in a small amount. So, the easiest way to take this as a supplement is in the form of a tablet or pill.
How much oil of oregano should I take for a UTI?
Oregano oil is antifungal and has many antibacterial properties. But you should talk to a doctor when treating a UTI. There is a lack of studies conducted to evidence that oregano oil can help in a UTI.
Oregano Essential Oil Rather Than Pharmaceutical Antibiotics
In many studies, oregano oil showed effectiveness to fight against drug-resistant bacteria.
In one study conducted on 18 mice, where the mice were infected with staph. The oregano oil was effective in that study to eliminate staph bacteria.
The oil was directly compared to pharmaceutical antibiotics such as streptomycin, penicillin, and vancomycin. And it performed just as well as the commercial antibiotics.
Some people make homemade oregano oil. The process is simple. You have to heat oregano leaves and a carrier oil (like coconut oil) on a double boiler to seep the leaves.
The oil then is left for a few days before use. The benefits of oregano are mentioned by Hobdari family health as well. They mention that a little bit of oregano oil can go a long way to treat diarrhea and there is no need for medicine. So, let nature do the healing.
Health benefits of oregano oil
Oregano is a miracle herb that has many striking health benefits. Some of the key benefits are:
1. Antibiotic properties
Oregano oil is one of the best natural antibiotics. The content of carvacrol in oregano acts as a natural antibiotic. Research has shown that oregano is as effective as commercial antibiotics.
The herb has numerous health benefits. But research hasn’t been particularly conducted on humans. The usage of such health supplements should be very careful. And yes, sometimes it’s better to be a little concerned about does oregano oil kill good bacteria.
2. Helps in control cholesterol
Phenol, thymol, and carvacrol are effective to control cholesterol in the blood. Moreover, they can increase good cholesterol.
A study that included 48 people who had high cholesterol was given oregano oil in their diet to understand its effects on cholesterol. At the end of the study, people showed reduced levels of cholesterols after three months.
3. Rich in antioxidants
Oregano oil has the highest level of oxidants when compared with other herbs for its antioxidant quantities.
The herb has more per gram antioxidants than apples. The antioxidants in oregano can fight free radicals causing chronic diseases.
4. Helps in treating yeast infections
Oregano can help get rid of yeast infections. Yeast is a type of fungus and the oil has antifungal properties. Oregano oil was found to be the most effective against a yeast infection out of all the essential oils. How cool is that?
5. Relieves pain
Oregano oil was proven to relieve pain in mice. In the study, when mice were given oregano oil, they showed symptoms of less pain. Yes, oregano has pain relief properties. But the effectiveness hasn’t been conducted on humans.
6. Anti-inflammatory properties
Oregano oil can have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. In the study conducted on mice, swelling on-ear and paws was reduced when contacted with oregano oil.
7. Improves gut health
This Italian herb can help in treating gut infections, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
The oil doses proved to be effective in reducing harmful bacteria and increasing good gut bacteria. The people infected felt relief from the gut symptoms while using the oil.
8. Can help in fighting cancer cells
Carvacrol has shown good results in many studies in its ability to fight cancer cells. If you are worried about does oregano oil kill good bacteria, let me assure you that it only kills the harmful cells in your body.
Oregano oil can be effective to fight lung, breast cancer cells, and liver cancer cells. Dead cells were produced as a result of the experiment. Carvacrol is somehow effective to stop cell growth. But the study has not been conducted on humans.
9. Helps in losing weight
Carvacrol help in reversing the formation of fat cells. Additionally, it helps in not gaining weight. As oregano oil is filled with carvacrol so taking in small doses can help in losing weight.
Please use this herb with caution as it is highly concentrated and should be taken in very small amounts.
Side Effects of Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is very different from the leaves we use for cooking. It is highly concentrated. Using the right doses of oregano oil is generally safe but some people can have a few side effects.
Typically over usage or inappropriate usage causes side effects. They include:
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Central hyperactivity
- Sickness
Thymol in large amounts can cause irritation reactions in the body. It can also affect uneasiness in organs and skin. It is also advisable that you do not consume oregano oil if you are allergic to mint, lavender, sage, and basil. As oregano belongs to the plant family.
You should talk to your doctor beforehand to take precautions for any medical supplement.
When used topologically, oregano oil should be mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Direct use can cause skin rashes. Please read all instructions carefully on the package before using oregano oil.
Oregano oil is not recommendable to children and women who are pregnant. The absence of oregano oil-related research makes it a not-an-ideal option for children and/or pregnant women.
Conclusion
Oregano oil is used differently for different purposes. The three ways to use oregano oil are to take it orally, inhale with steam to get relief from respiratory tract infections and use it topically. Any essential oil is not meant to be taken orally while oils can be consumed to get their benefits.
Oregano oil supplements can give good results. But people still have a concern about does oregano oil kill good bacteria. So, talk to a professional practitioner before incorporating any new habits for medicinal benefits.
FAQ
What bacteria does oregano oil kill?
Study shows that oregano oil helps in removing bad bacteria overgrowth. Oregano oil is rich in carvacrol. And the compound is very effective to fight bad bacterias like staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus epidermidis.
These bacteria cause infections. However, oregano oil helps in eliminating most of those harmful bacterias.
Can oregano oil kill fungus?
Oregano essential oil helps in killing fungus. The herb essential oil can help in treating skin infections caused by fungus.
Oregano oil is rich in the component thymol that possesses antimicrobial properties. It can also help treat infections like ringworms and athlete’s feet.
Is oregano good for bacterial infections?
Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic rich in Thymol, Carvacrol, and Rosmarinic acid makes. So, it is a great remedy to treat infections caused by bacterial cells. Using oregano oil is also effective for treating wounds and killing MRSA.
So, does oregano oil kill good bacteria? No, it does not. The oil only targets the bad ones.
Is oil of oregano the same as oregano essential oil?
Oregano oil and oregano oil are different. Both are products made from the oregano plant. Oregano oil is extracted from oregano leaf at regular concentration. But oregano essential oil is more concentrated than the former.
Does oregano essential oil kill good bacteria? Like the oregano oil, it also does not.
Does oregano oil kill streptococcus?
Yes, studies have shown that compounds of garlic and oregano oil are the best alternative treatment for streptococcus. These are famous for various health benefits and antibacterial properties.
Does Oregano p73 kill good bacteria?
No. Oregano p73 refers to the oregano that has 73 percent polyphenol. Oregano p73 is an amazingly rich source of vitamins and minerals. It has antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Oregano oil p73 does not kill good bacteria and does not help in removing bacteria overgrowth and fungal infections.
