How to Make Oregano Oil with or without Heat

Making Oregano Oil

Combine equal parts of fresh chopped or dried oregano and oil in a jar. When making oregano oil, the only ingredients you need are oregano and a plant-based carrier oil. Measure out ½ cup (24 g) of oregano and ½ cup (120 mL) of oil. Mix the oil and oregano in a sealable, sterilized glass jar so the oil just covers the oregano. Fresh or dried oregano are both acceptable to use. If you grow oregano in your garden, making oregano oil is a great way to use extra plants at the end of the season. Extra-virgin olive oil is the most common carrier for oregano oil, but any food-grade plant-based oil – like coconut oil or avocado oil – works just fine. When using fresh oregano, strip the leaves off the stem and rinse them. Then chop or crush them in a mortar and pestle to release the oils before using.

Place the sealed jar in a pot of boiling water and wait 10-15 minutes. Put just enough water to cover the jar into a cooking pot, but don’t put the jar in the pot yet. Place the pot of water on the stove on high heat and bring the water to a boil. Turn off the burner and place the jar in the hot water for 10-15 minutes. Heating the mixture allows the oregano to release its natural oils into the carrier oil. After 10-15 minutes, remove the jar from the hot water.

Shake the jar and place it in a sunny window for 2 weeks. This helps the oregano oil better infuse into the carrier oil, making your herbal remedy more potent. Shake the jar once a day to a few times a week. Alternatively, skip heating the jar and place it directly in a sunny window to cold-process the oil. During the 2-week infusion period, the olive oil will turn a darker green. This is how you know the oregano oil is ready to use.

Strain the oil and return it to the glass jar for storage. Place your kitchen strainer over a second container and pour the oregano oil through the mesh. Use the back of a spoon to press on the oregano leaves to push as much of the infused oil through the strainer as possible. Return the oil to the sealable glass jar or use a funnel to pour it into a glass eyedropper bottle. Store the oregano oil in a cool, dark place for up to three months. Oregano oil can last up to a year when kept in the refrigerator. If the oil smells sour, it has gone rancid. Throw it out and make a new batch.

Health Benefits of Oregano

Natural Antibacterial & Antimicrobial Properties Studies have shown that oregano has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help promote healing. Oregano contains carvacrol, a substance effective against Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that is one of the leading causes of food poisoning. There is some evidence to suggest that oregano oil is also effective against E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, common causes of urinary and respiratory tract infections

Powerful Antioxidant Properties Oregano is rich in antioxidants, which help your body fight off harmful free radicals. High levels of free radicals have been linked to health conditions like cancer and diabetes. Eating herbs and foods that contain antioxidants helps keep you healthy and fight off serious diseases. The powerful antioxidants in oregano may help your body neutralize free radicals to prevent cell damage that is associated with cancer.

Natural Anti-inflammatory Properties Many of the compounds found in oregano have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown some evidence that oregano oil can lower inflammation in human skin cells, making it a possible treatment for minor wounds and skin infections. In the future, oregano oil may be used in skincare products that promote healing and reduce inflammation.

May Lower Cholesterol The carvacrol in oregano, along with another polyphenol called thymol, may help lower cholesterol. Currently, there have been animal studies that have shown that carvacrol was able to lower cholesterol in rats. It’s still too early to determine if it has the same effect in humans. Polyphenols are a type of compound usually found in plant foods that act as antioxidants.

May Aid Weight Loss Some animal studies have also shown that mice given carvacrol, a component in oregano oil, showed fewer signs of carrying excess weight when fed a high-fat diet. Researchers found that carvacrol blocks part of the process that leads to making and storing fat. More research is necessary to find out if it has the same effect in humans.

Uses for Oregano Oil

Gargle oregano oil for a sore throat or mouth sores. Mix 1 drop of oregano oil with ½ cup (120 mL) of water. Swish the mixture around your mouth and under your tongue for 30 seconds. Then, tilt your head back, open your mouth, and gargle by making a gentle “ahhh” sound. The anti-inflammatory properties of oregano and the texture of the oil may help soothe your throat and any sores you may have in your mouth. Oregano oil gargles may also be helpful for conditions like oral thrush and gingivitis.

Apply it to minor skin infections and wounds. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, oregano oil can help treat skin irritations, scrapes, and other small wounds. Brow-Polanco says, “It does have an antimicrobial action that can be useful for getting rid of acne.” Dilute 1-2 drops of oregano oil in about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of skin-safe carrier oils, like coconut, avocado, or olive oil. Because oregano oil also has antifungal properties, it may also help with yeast infections, infected nails, and athlete’s foot.

Take oregano oil as an antioxidant supplement. Due to its high concentration of antioxidants, oregano oil makes a great supplement. Mix one drop of oregano oil with one drop of olive oil and place it under your tongue. If you don’t like the strong flavor of oregano oil, use oregano oil tablets or capsules instead.

Use it as a natural insect repellant. Brow-Polanco says, “It also has a strong odor that is rather disagreeable to many people.” It seems that many pesky insects agree, including the common bed bug. A study found that oregano oil repelled between 50% and 100% of bed bugs. Mix 1 drop of oregano oil with ¼ cup (60 mL) of olive oil and apply it to your skin. Reapply every 30 minutes for the best results. The thymol and carvacrol in oregano oil have also been found effective for repelling houseflies and mosquitoes.

Massage oregano oil into sore joints and muscles for pain relief. The soothing texture of the oil and anti-inflammatory properties of oregano make oregano oil a great choice for massaging sore joints and muscles. Dilute 4 drops of oregano oil in 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of a skin-safe carrier oil. Rub the oil between your hands to warm it. Then massage the diluted oil into sore areas of the body.

Take oregano oil to improve your gut health. Many people take oregano oil to treat cramps, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome. While studies are ongoing, researchers have found that carvacrol fights types of bacteria that can cause abdominal discomfort. When taking oregano oil for digestive health, many believe it’s better to eat it with a meal. Add a few drops to some bread or mix it into a sauce.