Oregano is one of the culinary herbs that we use most to aromatize and bring flavor to many of the dishes we prepare. But did you know that it is also a plant with many health benefits? That's right, and from a therapeutic point of view, oregano oil takes special prominence, a yellowish liquid obtained from the maceration of oregano leaves that can be used for multiple medicinal purposes, as it has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, anti-aging, etc. properties. If you want to find out what all its benefits are in detail and how to make homemade oregano oil step by step so you can use it whenever you want, pay attention to the following lines of this article.
Properties of oregano oil
Oregano oil is a liquid very rich in vitamins A, B, C and E and minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Thanks to all these components, not only can you enjoy it at the culinary level, but it has many beneficial properties for the health of the body, both externally and internally. Below, we detail what are the main properties of oregano oil:
- It is a great natural antibiotic mainly due to its carvacrol content. This property makes it an excellent remedy to fight against bacteria, fungi or other microorganisms that compromise the health of the organism.
- It fights infections and helps strengthen the immune system.
- It has very powerful anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps relieve muscle and/or joint pain.
- It is very useful for fighting bad breath and other oral problems, such as ulcers or blisters in the mouth or gum problems.
- It is an antioxidant and, therefore, acts effectively against the harmful action of free radicals and is able to help prevent cancer and aging.
- It improves the digestion process by stimulating the flow of bile to the organs involved in digestion.
- It acts positively on the nervous system and helps regulate mood and decrease stress.
- It is beneficial for women with irregular menstruations and also to relieve the symptoms associated with menopause.
- Its carvacrol content also allows to attack localized fat and favors weight loss.
- It helps relieve the discomfort caused by a cold and soothe symptoms such as cough and sore throat.
- It naturally treats acne and pimples due also to its antibacterial and antibiotic properties.
How to make dried oregano oil step by step
If you want to take advantage of all the above properties, you can make homemade oregano oil and use it whenever you need it. To get started, you need to gather the following ingredients and materials:
- 1/2 cup oregano leaves.
- 1/2 cup olive, sunflower, almond or grape seed oil. You can choose the oil you prefer.
- a dark glass jar with a lid.
Preparation of oregano oil
- Wash the oregano leaves and let them dry.
- Place the oregano leaves in a container and crush them with the help of a mortar mallet so that they release all their natural oils.
- In another container heat the oil you have selected a little, whether it is olive, almond or other. You can do it for a few seconds in the microwave, the important thing is that the oil does not boil.
- Next, pour into the glass jar the oil you just heated and the crushed oregano leaves, including oils that have been released. Cover the jar and move it vigorously from top to bottom so that both ingredients integrate with each other.
- Place the jar in a cool, dry, moisture-free place away from direct sunlight. You should let it macerate in that place for at least 2 weeks before using it.
- After that time, you will only have to strain the contents of the bottle and you can start using oregano oil as a therapeutic and medicinal product on a regular basis.
Medicinal uses of oregano oil
As we have already seen in the first section, the benefits of oregano oil for health are diverse, so its medicinal uses as well. Here's how to use oregano oil correctly depending on the condition or condition you need to treat:
- For muscle or joint pain: give a gentle massage on the painful area by applying a little oregano oil.
- For rheumatic pains: mix 3 parts of oregano oil with 1 part of almond oil and perform, with the preparation, a circular massage on the area with pain.
- For toothaches: pour 2 drops of the oil into gauze and rub on the affected tooth. Discover in the following article other home remedies to relieve toothache.
- For fungal or bacterial infections: dilute 3 drops in 1 glass of water and drink.
- For colds, nasal congestion or throat irritation: you can exhale the fragrance of oregano oil or dilute about 2 drops in 1 glass of water and drink.
- To disinfect hands: dilute 10 drops of oregano oil in 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and use the mixture to disinfect hands and keep them away from infectious agents.
Oregano oil: contraindications and side effects
However, before making homemade oregano oil, it is important that you make sure that its use will not be counterproductive for your health, and that its use is contraindicated in the following cases:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- People with allergy or hypersensitivity to oregano.
- Patients who are taking anticoagulant medications, as this oil could act as a blood thinner and cause complications.
- Children under 12 years old.
Although it is a homemade product if used or consumed in the recommended doses, it is important to note that very excessive doses of oregano oil can lead to certain side effects such as agitation, nervousness, palpitations, drowsiness, allergic reactions or skin rashes, etc.
