Oregano Oil

Oregano Oil, or Origanum vulgare, is a small, bushy plant that belongs to the mint family. It is a familiar culinary herb in Italian dishes. Origanum vulgare contains high levels of important compounds in its leaves and smaller stems. Oil manufacturers dry the leaves and stems, then steam-distill the plant matter to extract as many compounds as possible.

Oregano oil contains:

• carvacrol, the main active compound in oregano oil and a type of antioxidant called a phenol
• thymol, which may help protect against toxins and fight fungal infections

While oregano oil contains a significant amount, the compound thymol occurs most abundantly in thyme.

Oregano oil  Benefits:

1. Fighting bacteria

Thanks to the high levels of carvacrol, Origanum vulgare may help fight certain types of bacteria.

For instance, Staphylococcus is a common type of bacteria that causes staph infection. Some strains occur naturally in the body, but when the bacteria grow too quickly, it can cause bothersome symptoms.

ResearchTrusted Source shows that carvacrol is effective in eliminating the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, two common causes of infection.

Taking oregano oil supplements or rubbing it on the skin may help a person make use of these antibacterial effects.

2. Treating small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

Origanum vulgare may help treat chronic bacterial issues, such as SIBO. People with SIBO experience gastrointestinal problems due to an overgrowth of certain bacteria in their intestines.

A 2014 studyTrusted Source found that herbal remedies, including one that contained high levels of both carvacrol and thymol, were effective tools in treating SIBO.

Exploring the individual effects of each compound will require more research, but these initial findings may be promising.

3. Treating fungal infections

Oregano plant oil also appears to be a potent antifungal agent thanks to high levels of thymol.

Research from 2015Trusted Source found thymol to be an effective treatment for common Candida fungal infections.

Candida causes several types of infections, including:

• oral thrush
• yeast infections
• infected toenails or fingernails
• athlete’s foot

The research was conducted in test tubes, however, and determining oregano oil’s effectiveness will require more studies in humans.

4. Providing antioxidants

Origanum vulgare is also a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect the body from damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals.

Oxidative stress may lead to increased DNA damage and cell deathTrusted Source. Oxidation may also play a role in other issues, such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, and some cancers.

Thymol and carvacrol are powerful antioxidants that may help reduce oxidation. The researchers suggested that further studies explore safe doses for regular use.