Oregano is commonly known for its culinary use — stirred into pasta sauce, sprinkled on pizza or roasted potatoes or in a salad dressing — but it also has a long history of medicinal use. The leaves of the oregano plant contain various chemical compounds, and research findings suggest they may have antibacterial, antifungal and chemopreventive properties. When consumed in excess, these same compounds can have serious side effects, even resulting in death.
Read more: The Healing Properties of Oregano Oil
Oregano Oil Benefits
The oil extracted from the leaves of the oregano plant are rich in a plant chemical called phenols. Phenolic compounds are essential in the human diet, and they have been widely studied for their antioxidant capacity and their ability to fight diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Phenols comprise more than 50 percent of oregano oil. There are three main phenols:
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Carvacrol may fight the growth of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as noted in a study published in 2015 in Frontiers in Microbiology.
Thymol has antifungal effects, useful for treating oral thrush, or candidiasis, as reported in a 2015 study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Rosmarinic acid helps modulate tumor necrosis factor, an immune system substance that plays a role in cancer treatment and prevention, according to a 2010 study in Cancer Letters.
In addition to its antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer effects, oregano oil may help lower cholesterol, relieve pain, aid weight loss and fight parasitic infections.
Read more: How to Lose Weight With Oregano Oil
Oregano Oil Side Effects
Unlike the dried or fresh herb used in cooking, oregano oil for medicinal use is highly concentrated. It can be very easy to take too much without even realizing it. However, thymol in oregano oil can have toxic effects when used in large doses over a long period of time.
Potential side effects of excessive intake of thymol include:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hyperactivity
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Cardiac and respiratory collapse
Oregano — leaf and oil — may also increase the risk of bleeding, so people with bleeding disorders should avoid it. Additionally, people who are having surgery should not use oregano for two weeks before their procedure.
Oregano may also lower blood sugar, so diabetics should be careful when consuming the leaf, but especially the oil. Finally, pregnant women are advised not to take oregano medicinally in any dose because it may increase the risk of miscarriage.
Oil of Oregano Dosage
As a supplement, oregano oil is typically sold in liquid and capsule form. It isn't regulated by the FDA, and no recommended dosage has been established. There are many different oil of oregano supplements on the market: extracts and standardized oils with varying amounts of active compounds.
Oregano oil may be 100 percent pure or mixed with other oils. Stick to the recommended dosage and check in with your doctor to make sure oregano oil won't interact with any medications you're currently taking.
Read more: What Are the Benefits of P73 Oregano Oil?
References
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Antifungal Activity and Mode of Action of Thymol and Its Synergism With Nystatin Against Candida Species Involved With Infections in the Oral Cavity: An in Vitro Study
- Cancer Letters: Rosmarinic Acid Sensitizes Cell Death Through Suppression of Tnf-α-Induced Nf-κB Activation and Ros Generation in Human Leukemia u937 Cells
- Journal of International Medical Research: Effects of Origanum Onites on Endothelial Function and Serum Biochemical Markers in Hyperlipidaemic Patients
- Phytotherapy Research: Investigation of Origanum Nites, Sideritis Congesta and Satureja Cuneifolia Essential Oils for Analgesic Activity
- Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry: Carvacrol Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity by Modulating Gene Expressions Involved in Adipogenesis and Inflammation in Mice Fed With High-Fat Diet
- Phytotherapy Research: Inhibition of Enteric Parasites by Emulsified Oil of Oregano in Vivo
- Toxnet: Thymol
- WebMD: Oregano
Writer Bio
Jody Braverman is a professional writer and editor based in Atlanta. She studied creative writing at the American University of Paris and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Maryland. She also received personal trainer certification from NASM and her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from YogaWorks.