We bet the word oregano brings delicious thoughts of Italian food to your mind. But did you know that oregano has more health benefits than the culinary world, along with being a pizza or pasta topping? This fragrant herb is well-known for its intense flavor and earthy aroma. It is now gaining popularity in the realm of health, too.
Oregano adds as much life to your health as to your food. This pepper-scented herb has many therapeutic and medicinal properties that medical professionals seldom discuss. An easy way to incorporate oregano’s benefits in your life is to try oregano oil.
The oil extracted from oregano can be of two types – oregano oil and oregano essential oil. While oregano essential oil is meant for topical application, oregano oil has shown significant results when consumed orally.
Oregano oil contains antioxidants and essential antimicrobial compounds. Being nutrient-rich, oregano oil offers many benefits to combat health problems related to the immune and digestive systems. Let’s look at some of these benefits in the light of anti-aging.
What are Oregano and Oregano oil?
Oregano is a herb that is extracted from the plant Origanum vulgare. This plant is native to parts of Europe and the Mediterranean but is grown worldwide today. Oregano derives its name from the Greek word ‘oreganos,’ which splits into – ‘oros’ meaning mountain, and ‘ganos’ meaning joy. Therefore, due to its anti-aging benefits, this herb is assumed to be the mountain of pleasure or youth.
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Oregano is usually available as dried leaves and can be added as a flavoring agent to your food. But to get the best of this anti-aging herb, herbal experts from different streams promote the use of oregano oil. Oregano oil has been found to contain antibiotic and antifungal properties.
The concentration of beneficial nutrients in oregano oil is much higher than in the plant. Therefore, oregano oil is not as concentrated as oregano essential oil and can be consumed or applied to the skin. Oregano essential oil cannot be destroyed or applied directly to the skin. It needs to be diluted with a carrier oil for topical application. On the other hand, oregano oil is made only for consumption.
How is Oregano oil made?
Distillation is used to obtain essential oil from the oregano plant, wherein the aerial parts are air-dried (1). To produce 1 pound of essential oil from oregano, more than 1,000 pounds of dried oregano are needed. The leaves and shoots are air-dried, and the oil is extracted by steam distillation.
Oregano oil or essential extract is extracted using carbon dioxide or alcohol, usually ethanol. Traditionally, oregano oil has been used to treat common flu symptoms like cold, cough, etc. Oregano oil is considered a natural version of conventional antibiotic medicines.
Oregano oil has a faint tint of yellow in it with an aroma similar to that of thyme. It comes in the form of supplements like pills and capsules. These supplements are the diluted version of oregano essential oil.
Nutrients in Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has a high concentration of antioxidants. There are also minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, and phosphorus in oregano oil. Apart from these, oregano oil contains beneficial compounds like:
- Carvacrol – a phenol that has shown antimicrobial activity (2)
- Rosmarinic acid – a water-soluble phenolic compound that fights the effects of free radicals (3)
- Thymol – an antifungal compound that protects against toxins (4)
- Cymene – p-cymene is a phenol that is found to be an acaricidal agent (5)
- Naringin – a flavonoid that displays anti-inflammatory activities (6)
- Beta-caryophyllene – a terpene that has been shown to benefit colitis and osteoarthritis (7)
Although few studies prove the health benefits of these nutrients, several investigations show that oregano oil may have potential anti-aging benefits. Let’s look at some of these benefits.
10 Anti-Aging Benefits of Oregano Oil
1. Skin aging retardant
Antioxidants are a powerful source of immunity for the human body. They protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals present in the environment. Free radicals are shown to cause aging signs in the body, like dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles.
A study on essential oil in oregano determined the antioxidant activities of different varieties of oregano (8). Although this study focuses on the benefits of oregano essential oil and not the oil of oregano, it is assumed that it may also show similar benefits on human skin.
2. Natural Antibiotic
Bacteria can attain resistance against commonly used antibiotics. Hence, there is a constant search for compounds that can inhibit the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The growing demand for antibiotic alternatives, especially for the aging population, has been the healthcare industry’s focus for quite some time now. As a result, scientists are researching natural alternatives to antibiotics.
While comparing the essential oils from various plant sources, researchers found in one study that oregano oil could inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (9). This suggests the potential of using oregano oil as a treatment for wound-related, respiratory, and urinary infections. It also proves that oregano oil may be used as a natural antibiotic.
3. Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is a common problem in the aging population. Many disorders cause inflammation, like arthritis, hormone imbalance, varicose veins, etc. Significant research has proven the anti-inflammatory properties of oregano.
The compound carvacrol has been linked to the anti-inflammatory ability of oregano oil. An advanced study of human cancer cells found that carvacrol in oregano essential oil can be used in skincare products for its anti-inflammatory properties (10). Another study on mice showed the anti-inflammatory effects of oregano extract against stress-induced gastritis and contact hypersensitivity (11).
These studies do not directly advocate using oregano oil to treat inflammation; nevertheless, scientists are optimistic. Of course, there is a need for in-depth research, but the current studies confirm the potential of oregano oil to combat inflammation.
4. Throat infections
Aging causes the body to be prone to the standard nose, throat, and ear infections. Plant essential oils and extracts have long been used as the first line of treatment for such common ailments. One such oil is oregano, which herbal experts highly recommend to curb regular body infections.
A study was conducted on carvacrol, the abundant antimicrobial compound in oregano oil. It significantly impacted streptococcal bacteria, a common cause of throat infections (12). This supports the use of oregano oil by traditional doctors for the relief of respiratory and sinus issues.
5. Gut health
Gut parasites are a popular reason for gut disorders like bloating and diarrhea. In addition, as we age, our digestive system is prone to poor gut health, leading to further complications. Herbalists have used oregano oil to combat gut-related issues for a long time.
Not many recent studies prove the benefits of oregano oil for improved gut health. However, in one study, 77% of patients suffering from gut symptoms showed reduced parasite infection after administering oregano oil (13). Gut health, in general, is associated with many factors, not just gut parasites.
While oregano oil may not significantly impact gut health directly, it may help maintain gut health by inhibiting parasites. Oregano oil may also help regulate the normal bacteria that live in the gut to prevent irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. However, such administration of herbal remedies should be done under the recommendation of a practicing medical professional.
6. Yeast infection
Yeast is one of the neglected causes of infections in the human body. In its standard form, yeast does not pose a threat. But when present in excess, yeast can cause infections in the reproductive system, skin, and genitals. This happens more often amongst the aged population because of their susceptibility to microbes.
The most common type of yeast is Candida, a well-known culprit of yeast infections. Oregano oil has been proven to be effective for vaginal and oral yeast infections (14). Even though more research is required, people all around the globe readily use oregano oil to treat yeast infections and have experienced a success rate.
7. Immunity support
The immune system in human beings is present in the form of layers of defense against microbes. A compromised immune system leads to various ailments, from the common cold and allergies to severe blood infections. This happens at an elevated level as the human body enters a state of aging.
Phenolic compounds have been associated with many plant extracts’ antioxidant and anti-allergic properties, including thyme, rosemary, and oregano. In a study, rosmarinic acid was found to have an anti-allergic effect on patients suffering from Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) (15).
Oregano oil is rich in phenols and rosmarinic acid and may help build immunity to support the immune system and track pathogens. This suggests using oregano oil as an antimicrobial treatment, but further studies are required to establish it.
8. Anti-cancer abilities
Cancer is one of the significant causes of death and can affect anyone at any age. However, cancer is a risk for the aged population that has seldom been found a successful treatment. Therefore, scientists all around the globe are constantly researching anti-cancer agents. Oregano oil has also been studied for this purpose.
In one study, carvacrol, the principal nutrient in oregano oil, showed positive results against cancer cells in test tubes (16). Thus, researchers believe there is a lot of scope in using oregano oil to prevent cancer. Studies are being conducted on the same, so we can only hope to see oregano oil become a proven anti-cancer treatment soon.
9. Reduces Cholesterol
Another constant issue with the aging population is that of cholesterol. A sedentary lifestyle, lower metabolism rates, cardiovascular diseases, etc., have been linked to high cholesterol levels. This has increased the demand for remedies that help control cholesterol levels.
A study conducted on patients suffering from high cholesterol levels concluded that carvacrol and thymol are directly linked with the cholesterol-lowering ability of oregano oil (17). Furthermore, in controlled quantities, those who had consumed oregano oil in this study saw a significant reduction in LDL or harmful cholesterol levels.
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10. Analgesic
Analgesics or painkillers have many side effects, especially for the aged population. This calls for finding alternatives to conventional painkillers. For example, herbs like oregano have been used by traditional doctors to relieve pain, but there is no scientific proof to substantiate this.
However, an aqueous oregano extract showed pain-relieving benefits in a pain test involving rats (18). Though the results of this study seem promising, further investigation and research on humans are needed to conclude the analgesic ability of oregano oil.
How to use Oregano Oil?
Oregano oil is available in different forms and can be sourced from health food shops. We recommend consulting a practicing medical professional before trying oregano oil for yourself. The potency of oregano oil may differ from one product to another because of varying concentrations.
Because there is no standard dose of oregano oil, consider talking to a certified healthcare provider to get the proper advice about consuming oregano oil. You can try capsules, tablets, or supplements of other types. Care must be taken not to drink or apply oregano oil if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.
Side Effects of Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is usually highly concentrated and thus needs to be consumed or applied carefully. In addition, there have been reports of oregano causing specific reactions in people. This has been attributed to the high concentration of phenols, especially thymol, in oregano oil. Symptoms of reactions include vomiting, digestive issues, and nausea.
Summary:
Oregano oil has been used as a traditional treatment for common ailments like cold and flu. It is rich in phenols that have been linked to health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. Oregano oil can be consumed as pills or capsules under the guidance of a medical expert. Oregano oil has other promising benefits like anti-cancer treatment, anti-fungal treatment, and lowering cholesterol levels, but further studies are needed to ascertain these. We recommend trying oregano oil for your health challenges but only after the advice of a practicing medical professional. To reap the maximum benefits of oregano oil it is firstly important to know if you need it or not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which part of the oregano plant is used to extract oregano oil?
While oregano essential oil is derived from the leaves and flowers, oregano oil is extracted from the steam distillation of dried oregano leaves.
What does oregano oil taste like?
Just like its aroma, the taste of oregano oil also has hints of pepper. It is hot and slightly bitter.
References:
- “Essential Oil and Ethanol Extract of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) from Armenian Flora as a Natural Source of Terpenes, Flavonoids, and other Phytochemicals with Antiradical, Antioxidant, Metal Chelating, Tyrosinase Inhibitory, and Antibacterial Activity” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Antimicrobial activity of carvacrol: current progress and future prospectives” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Antioxidant activity and sensory evaluation of a rosmarinic acid-enriched extract of Salvia officinalis” -ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Antifungal activity and mode of action of thymol and its synergism with nystatin against Candida species involved with infections in the oral cavity: an in vitro study” – bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com
- “Acaricidal activity of oregano oil and its major component, carvacrol, thymol and p-cymene against Psoroptes cuniculi in vitro and in vivo” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Effect of Citrus Flavonoids, Naringin and Naringenin, on Metabolic Syndrome and Their Mechanisms of Action” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Caryophyllene – an overview” – sciencedirect.com
- “Chemical Compositions and Anti-Skin-Ageing Activities of Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil from Tropical and Mediterranean Region” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Bactericidal Property of Oregano Oil Against Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolates” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Anti-inflammatory, tissue remodeling, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer activities of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil in a human skin disease model” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activities of Oregano Extract” – researchgate.net
- “Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and carvacrol, and synergy of carvacrol and erythromycin, against clinical, erythromycin-resistant Group A Streptococci” – researchgate.net
- “Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “In vitro activity of essential oils extracted from plants used as spices against fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-susceptible Candida spp” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Anti‐inflammatory and anti‐allergic effect of rosmarinic acid (RA); inhibition of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) and its mechanism” – iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- “Carvacrol Targets AXL to Inhibit Cell Proliferation and Migration in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells” pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “The effects of essential oils and aqueous tea infusions of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. spp. hirtum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) on the copper-induced oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Antinociceptive Effect of Aqueous Extract of Origanum vulgare L. in Male Rats: Possible Involvement of the GABAergic System” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
