Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Oil of Oregano
When talk turns to oregano, most of us think of pizza or spaghetti.
Oregano, a member of the mint family, is indeed a common kitchen spice,
but in concentrated form, oregano oil may be a powerful immune
stimulant, boasting antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic
activity. Essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare) contains numerous
constituents including carvacrol, thymol, sabinene hydrate and
aristolochic acid.
Potent antioxidants have also been identified in oregano. Most of the
studies done on oregano have thus far been in vitro, although there are
definitely animal studies and a few human trials out there. Some of the
physical symptoms that oregano has been shown to help include Candida
overgrowth, athlete’s foot, toothaches, and early research demonstrates
support for the use of oregano in infections. One animal study showed
that oral use of oregano oil was more potent against the bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus than the antibiotic vancomycin.
The Journal of Molecular and Cellular Biology published an animal study
where oral administration of oregano oil eradicated infection of Candida
albicans. In the journal Phytotherapy Research, a small study was
published showing that oregano oil helped rid some adults of the
intestinal parasite Blastocystis hominis.
Certainly you need to speak to your doctor before self medicating with
oil of oregano. If you know you have a sensitivity or allergy to the
mint family then you need to avoid it altogether. Oil of oregano can be
diluted in olive oil and rubbed into the gums to help alleviate
toothache and potentially ward off infection. If you decide to use
oregano oil internally it should be taken in capsule form or diluted
into some juice or warm water. For topical fungal infections, athlete’s
foot for example, dilute the oregano oil in olive oil (about 1 part
oregano oil to 2 parts olive oil) and apply with a cotton ball or cotton
swab to the infected area.
Oregano oil is regarded as safe for low-dose, short-term use, however,
it may interfere with the absorption of iron so it should be taken at
least two hours away from other supplements and avoided completely if
you are known to have iron-deficient anemia or you are pregnant.
Thus far, oregano oil has shown great potential as a therapy for
bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Nevertheless, more research
needs to be done, especially in the form of human studies.
