This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Criglow. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.
There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 42,340 times.
You may have heard about the potential medical benefits of taking oregano oil. This doesn't necessarily mean ingesting oregano oil is a solid treatment, though. There are a few important questions you should consider before trying out the natural remedy, and luckily this article has the answers! Read on for more information about the safety and effectiveness of taking oregano oil orally.
Steps
Is it safe to swallow oregano oil?
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1It’s potentially safe to ingest oregano oil for short periods of time. There isn’t enough scientific evidence to verify the substance as 100% safe, and not enough studies have been done to determine the safety of long-term use.[1] If you’re at all concerned about the potential side effects, you should use another treatment instead.[2]
- Side effects include stomach cramps, pregnancy complications, and an increased risk of bleeding if you've recently had surgery.
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2It’s unsafe to ingest oregano oil if you’re pregnant. Some evidence shows that it could lead to a potential miscarriage. If you're pregnant, stay safe and don’t ingest oregano oil. You should also avoid swallowing it if you’re currently breastfeeding.[3]Advertisement
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3It’s not safe to ingest oregano oil if you have certain medical conditions. If you suffer from bleeding disorders, ingesting the oil can make the risk of bleeding worse. You should also avoid consuming oregano oil if you have diabetes, as it can lower blood sugar levels.[4]
- Avoid swallowing oregano oil if you’re allergic to plants in the Lamiaceae family, like basil, lavender, mint, and sage. It could cause a potential allergic reaction.
Does oregano oil interact with any medications?
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1Oregano oil interacts poorly with medications for diabetes. Ingesting oregano oil can lower your blood sugar. Taking it in combination with diabetes medication may cause your blood sugar levels to go too low. Talk to your doctor before ingesting oregano oil if you have diabetes. They may adjust your diabetes medication dosage or tell you not to take oregano oil.[19]
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2The oil may interact negatively with blood clotting medication. Oregano oil has the potential to increase bleeding and bruising if you take it along with medications like aspirin, dalteparin, and warfarin.[20] Get the okay from your doctor before you try oregano oil if you’re currently taking any blood clotting medications.
What treatments can I use instead of oregano oil?
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1Talk to your doctor about taking antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. Examples of these infections include urinary tract infections, strep throat, and any other medical conditions caused by harmful or overgrown bacteria. If you think you may have a bacterial infection, make an appointment with your doctor. They will give you an examination and prescribe you the medication you need.[21]
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2Talk to your doctor about whether you need treatment for a stomach parasite. Often times stomach parasites will go away on their own. If you think you may have one, visit your doctor to see if you need treatment. They may prescribe antibiotics in extreme cases, or let the condition remedy itself on its own.[24]
- Symptoms of a stomach parasite include diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach cramps.[25]
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3Visit your doctor if your sinus infection persists. Often times sinus infections can be treated at home. Get plenty of rest (at least 8-10 hours per night), stay hydrated, and take OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to ease symptoms.[26] If your sinus infection lasts longer than 10 days or continues to get worse, visit your doctor. They may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.[27]
- Sinus infection symptoms include congestion, yellow or green discharge from the nose and in the back of your throat, headache, fatigue, and fever.
References
- ↑ https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=111715
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
- ↑ https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=111715
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
- ↑ https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article/53/2/190/495620
- ↑ https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=111715
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
- ↑ https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article/53/2/190/495620
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23484421/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/expert-answers/oil-of-oregano/faq-20058486
- ↑ https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/nutrition/how-to-take-oregano-oil/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351677
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351677
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/expert-answers/infectious-disease/faq-20058098
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4602-strep-throat
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15238-giardiasis
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15238-giardiasis
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351677
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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