Oregano scientifically know as Origanum Vulgare is well known culinary herb often used in tomato sauces, fried vegetables, and grilled meat. However there are other uses and benefits to this herb. Oregano Essential Oil is known for its ability to slow down food spoilage through its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-oxidant activity but it doesn’t stop there. Oregano essential Oil offer health benefits too, such as treatment of colds, influenza, mild fevers, fungal infections, indigestion, upset stomach, enteric parasites, and painful menstruation.

Herbal Remedy Oil of Oregano is one of the most potent broad spectrum herbal supplement available. Many of us have enjoyed oregano with our foods at one point or another. Nevertheless, how much more would you enjoy it if you realized just how beneficial oregano could be to your health? Historically, Greek physicians used oregano essential oil for wounds, headaches, and venomous bites and even hemlock poisoning. Its medicinal benefits were used to treat lung conditions, bronchitis, sinusitis, and cold symptoms including coughs. During the seventeenth century, it was considered throughout Europe as an effective remedy Terpenes for head colds. Used by physicians to induce menstruation as early as in the nineteenth century, the benefits of using oregano essential oil has now captured the interest of modern researchers. Practitioners of alternative medicine often recommend oregano as a herb essential to aid in the recovery of a variety of ailments.

The active compounds in oregano essential oil are Thymol and Carvacrol, These natural plant chemicals are also used in products like Listerine which originally was used as a surgical antiseptic. I even understand that these compounds have found themselves in the Gold Bond Powder. So you see modern society is recognizing the uses and health benefits of these compounds in Oregano Essential Oil. However these aren’t the only beneficial compounds in Oregano essential oil. I am going to list some of the components in this essential oil starting with Carvacrol.

Carvacrol – this volatile oil was proven in studies to be a powerful antimicrobial and food preservative. Research shows it’s effective against bacteria such as:

Escherichia coli

Salmonella enterica

Listeria monocytogenes

Carvacrol also works as an anti-fungal. A recent study proved, you can use Carvacrol to eliminate parasitic infections.

Thymol – Thymol is widely used as an antibacterial, an antimicrobial and an anti-fungal. Thymol has antiseptic properties and is a very effective disinfectant even better than carbolic acid. Thymol has been used to successfully control varroa mites and prevent fermentation and the growth of mold in bee colonies. There is also evidence supporting the belief that thymol is also a natural fungicide, when applied two to three times daily, can eliminate certain kinds of fungal infections that affect finger nails and toe nails and for the treatment of tinea (ringworm) infections. It is related to Carvacrol, meaning it has the same molecular formula but the atoms are arranged differently. Some over the counter medications use thymol for acne, hemorrhoids and athletes foot. It is the active antiseptic ingredient in the toothpaste Euthymol, a component of Vicks Vapor rub, which has given many people relief. Thymol inhibits the ability of E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus to adhere to human cells. Thymol antimicrobial mechanism disrupts the bacterial cell wall and causes the contents or cytoplasm, to leak out.

Terpenes have antibacterial properties. The name, terpene, originates from the word ‘turpentine’. While turpentine is known as a common solvent for stripping off paint, this ingredient plays a healthier role in Oil of Oregano. Tea tree oil is another healthy oil that contains terpene

Rosmarinic acid has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. The antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid is said to be stronger than that of vitamin E. It’s been shown to prevent free radical cell damage, thereby lowering your risk for atherosclerosis and cancer. It is currently being studied for its effects on Alzheimer’s Disease

Naringin has antioxidant, anti carcinogenic and cholesterol lowering activity. It was shown to inhibit cancer cells from growing. It is a major flavonoid in grapefruit giving the grapefruit juice its bitter taste. The herbal remedy oil of Oregano does not only help fight germs, it also help fight oxidation and reduce your risk of cancer. Research shows Naringin stimulates the effect of caffeine and could therefore increase your fat burning action.