Oregano is one of the most popular aromatic herbs in the kitchen and one of the key ingredients in Italian gastronomy. The good news is that it is not only the ideal complement for delicious dishes, but is linked to a great therapeutic power.
The use of oregano for healing purposes is a popular home remedy, which has become a powerful ally for combating various pains and ailments. That is why, in recent years, its consumption through a concentrated oil loaded with powerful antioxidants and unique compounds has become a wonderful natural health tool, without side effects.
Oregano oil is the plant extract and is associated with equal effectiveness if consumed or applied directly to the skin. The truth is that homemade oregano oil is considered a powerful ancestral remedy, with great medicinal potential. In principle, it is an incomparable natural antibiotic and antifungal agent and can be of great help in fighting bacteria. It is also linked to great anti-inflammatory properties, is a good ally for weight loss and regulates high cholesterol levels.
Another of the great nutritional qualities of oregano, which gives it unparalleled healing benefits, is due to its content of compounds called phenols, terpenes and terpenoids. They have strong antioxidant properties and are responsible for their fragrance. More precisely, the following medicinal substances are noteworthy:
- Carvacrol: The most abundant phenol in oregano, it has been proven to stop the growth of several different types of bacteria.
- Thymol: Considered one of the substances with the greatest natural antifungal power, it is also linked to the positive effects of strengthening the immune system and protecting the body against toxins and pathogens.
- Rosmarinic acid: This is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants and is associated with great benefits to help protect the body from free radical damage.
Benefits of oregano oil:
- Natural antibiotic: Oregano is known as one of the strongest antibiotics in nature, this is mainly due to its carvacrol content. It is even related to the qualities of fighting Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which is one of the most common causes of infections.
- Reduces high cholesterol levels: the cholesterol-lowering effect of oregano oil is due to its content of carvacrol and thymol phenols. Its consumption lowers the level of bad cholesterol “LDL” and increases the production of good cholesterol “HDL”.
- Unmatched antioxidant potential: There are important studies that demonstrate the immense antioxidant power of the ethanolic extract of oregano and, therefore, it is a great ally to increase the fight against free radicals, slow down cellular aging and prevent diseases.
- Improves intestinal health: oregano oil is effective in reducing stomach and intestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, pain and swelling, which are often directly related to the presence of intestinal parasites. Its benefits are associated with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Excellent anti-inflammatory: Carvacrol, one of the key components of oregano oil, reduces inflammatory markers, which are linked to various degenerative diseases.
- Soothes pain: the essential compounds of oregano, such as carvacrol and thymol, make it an extraordinary natural pain reliever.
How to prepare oregano oil at home?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh oregano leaves
- 1 cup olive, grapeseed or almond oil
- 1 glass jar with a tight lid
Method of preparation:
- Wash and disinfect the oregano leaves well, let them dry completely.
- With the help of a mortar, crush the oregano leaves until a kind of paste is formed. In this step, the leaves begin to release all their medicinal properties.
- Pour the oregano paste into the glass jar and cover completely with the oil of your choice. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Have a pot with a little boiling water at hand, when it reaches the first boil, turn off the heat and insert the jar with the oregano oil.
- Leave the jar in a water bath for 15 minutes, this step is for the two elements to be well incorporated.
- Remove the container, cover it and keep it for 15 days in a cool and dry place.
- After the resting time, the medicinal oregano oil will be ready.
Indications and tips for use:
- For bacterial infections, it is recommended to dilute 3 drops of oregano oil in a glass of water.
- For muscle pain, rheumatic pain and sprains, put a little oil on the pain area and perform a light massage. If you want, you can put a bandage.
- For flu, cold and cough, add 5 drops of oil to boiling water and inhale its steam. It is also highly recommended to consume it as a natural antibiotic: at the first sign of the flu, consume 3 to 6 drops before main meals, that is, three times a day.
