Many of us with an interest in natural health also want to become more self sufficient. Will there ever come a day when we didn’t have access to a medical facility? What if a natural disaster temporarily curtails mass transportation? What happens if we get sick, and a doctor isn’t available?
Oregano Oil and Bacteria
(This post contains affiliate links.)
These are some of the questions I’ve asked myself from time to time. But I’m fairly certain our family would fare better than most, if an epidemic hit, and we couldn’t leave the house. That’s because my natural medicine cabinet is filled with herbs, essential oils and homeopathic remedies. All of these have a long history of battling infectious disease.
Microbes that don’t respond to our current arsenal of drugs are another problem. Each year, in the United States alone, these out-of-control infections take at least 23,000 lives. This same problem hasn’t been reported with various natural remedies.
Although most mainstream medical research is focused on pharmaceuticals, a few plants-based substances are known to contain powerful natural germ-fighters. Oregano oil is one of them.
Consequently, pure oregano essential oil is something you’ll always find in my house.
Oregano Oil for Infections
Natural healers have long known about the ability of oregano to combat infectious disease. Modern researchers are just beginning to understand how this lowly herb can disable a pathogen. To date, however, there have been few studies showing oregano’s germ-killing potential, at least with humans. One 2012 animal study published in the Journal of Animal Science showed that oregano was lethal to several strains of bacteria, including E-coli, staph, salmonella and listeria. The authors concluded that essential oils could be used in poultry feed, instead of antibiotics.
Online health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO, advocates the use of oregano oil when we’re sick. For sinus infections, he recommends placing several drops in a steaming water and breathing the vapors. He also notes that this oil is good for treating toenail fungus, a stubborn (and unsightly) condition that often doesn’t respond to conventional medicine. He recommends either placing it diluted on your toenail, or soaking your feet in a small tub, with warm water and a few drops of oregano.
Naturopathic practitioner Dr. Josh Axe, DC, on his website, describes oregano oil as the “ultimate natural antibiotic.” However, if you’re using it for this purpose, he says to do so only under the guidance of a “natural health expert.”
I do need to add that I’m not a doctor. So I can’t give medical advice. Also, I want to stress that I’m not implying that oregano oil will cure a serious or a drug-resistant infection. This is something that requires professional medical care. Everything presented here is for information and discussion purposes only. So if you have any health concerns, please discuss them with a professional.
Where to Buy Oregano Oil
Plant Therapy, a family-run business based in Idaho is a company I often recommend for it’s incredible essential oils. Each batch of oil is also tested twice, in-house and also by an independent chemist.
Plant Therapy Oregano Oil
This company, a great alternative to the MLM brands, also works with Robert Tisserand, a world-known aromatherapy expert. This comes in two sizes, 10 ml and 30 ml. If you’re fairly new to essential oils and just want to have some oregano essential oil on hand, definitely go with the smaller size.
This is a very potent oil that needs to be diluted (one drop to a teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil) if you plan to use it for massage. If you plan to use it for a sinus infection, you’ll also just need a little.
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Oregano Oil for Cleaning
Because of its natural germ-killing ability, oregano essential oil makes a great household cleaner. One thing I’ve done is replaced all of my toxic cleaning agents with vinegar, baking soda and natural liquid soaps, to which I occasionally add a drop or two of essential oil for a boost. Oregano would be a good oil to add to your kitchen sponge when you’re wiping down the counter after preparing meat. It also makes a great natural bathroom sanitizing agent.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
Hi im interested in this oil and its pathogen and infection properties as a killer.
I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and I was wondering if this might help.
Hi Alan, I’m sorry to hear you are fighting a chronic health problem. Unfortunately, since I’m not a doctor, I can’t give medical advice or promise any particular remedy will help you. If I were battling anything, I would seek the best medical care possible, while researching various possible alternative approaches to discuss with my doctor. I do wish you well and I thank you for reading my blog.