This article was co-authored by Julie Brow-Polanco. Julie Brow-Polanco is a Master Herbalist & Certified Aromatherapist with more than 11 years of experience. She is an expert on natural remedies and specializes in using them to support whole-body wellness, particularly immune, digestive, nervous, and reproductive health. Julie earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Dominican University, a Master Herbalist Certification from The School of Natural Healing, and a Certificate of Aromatherapy from the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. Julie is a member of the American Herbalist Guild and a Certified Aromatherapist through the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Because oregano oil is a versatile substance, you can use it in a variety ways from cooking to cleaning. Flavor your cooking with oregano oil by adding a drop to sauces and dips. Treat insect bites, blemishes, toenail fungus, and warts/moles by applying it topically. You can also take oregano oil orally to treat sore throats, boost your immune system, and support healthy respiratory function. You can even use oregano oil as a cleaning agent. Dilute the oil with water, spray it onto dirty surfaces, and wipe clean.
Steps
Cooking with Oregano Oil
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1Add it to pizza and spaghetti sauce. Because oregano oil has a very strong taste, start with a toothpick-sized amount. Dip a toothpick in the oil. To mix in the oil, stir the sauce with the toothpick. After you have stirred in the oil, taste the sauce and add more oil as needed.[1]
- You can use as much as a drop of oil when adding it to pizza and spaghetti sauce.
- You can also add oregano oil to roasts. Add a drop of oil to your roast before you cook it.
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2Make a veggie dip. Combine 1 cup (240 ml) of mayo, 1 cup of sour cream, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of Worcestershire sauce, 1 drop of basil essential oil, and 1 drop of oregano essential oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined.[2]
- Refrigerate the dip for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving it with your favorite assortment of veggies.
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3Try an Italian bread dip. Mix together ¼ cup (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil, 1 to 3 tablespoons (15 to 45 ml) of balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of Italian seasoning, and 1 to 2 drops of oregano oil to taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined. Dip your bread in the oil and enjoy.[3]
- Additionally, you can use this dip as a salad dressing.
Using Oregano Oil to Treat and Soothe
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1Apply it topically. Oregano oil is a "hot" oil, so it needs to be diluted in a 1:100 proportion. Combine 1 part oregano oil to 100 parts olive oil or coconut oil (or a carrier oil of your choice). Dip the cotton swab in the ointment and apply it onto acne, rashes and insect bites to alleviate itching. You can also soothe and clear skin blemishes with the oregano ointment.[4]
- Additionally, you can massage the ointment into the bottom of your feet to boost your immune system.[5]
- For toenail fungus or wart/mole removal, use a cotton swab to apply the ointment onto affected areas.
- Oregano oil has a strong odor that is rather disagreeable to many people.
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2Add a drop to ½ cup (120 ml) of water. Drink the water to relieve a sore throat, toothache, and menstrual cramps. Drinking oregano oil infused water can also aid in digestion and boost your immune system. You can do this up to four times daily for no more than 10 days. [6]
- Alternatively, you can hold a sip of water in the back of your throat. Add two drops of oil to the water in the back your throat. Swallow the water and chase it with a few sips of fresh water.[7]
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3Take a supplement. A daily dosage of 600 mg of oregano oil can help fight harmful organisms in your body. Additionally, to support healthy respiratory function, add one or two drops to a veggie capsule. For the best results, consult your physician first before supplementing your diet with oregano oil.[8]
- Do not take the supplements for more than 10 days.
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4Make a steam tent. Bring a pot of water to a boil and turn off the heat. Add one to four drops of oregano oil to the water while it is hot. Stand over the pot of water. Drape a towel over your head, shoulders and the pot. Breathe in the steam from a comfortable distance for 15 minutes or until the steam stops.
- Only use one drop of oil if you are treating your child’s allergy or cold symptoms.
- The combination of oregano oil and steam is great for relieving cold and allergy symptoms.
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5Use it for aromatherapy. Place one to two drops of the oregano oil into your diffuser’s water reservoir, or per the instructions on the instruction manual. Turn your diffuser on and enjoy the calming benefits of oregano oil.[9]
- Using oregano oil for aromatherapy can promote a balanced mood, reduce stress, and curb emotional abnormalities.[10]
Cleaning with Oregano Oil
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1Fill a bucket with four cups (960 ml) of water. Add in four drops of oregano oil, 10 drops of lemon oil, and ¼ cup (60 ml) of white, distilled vinegar. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined.[11]
- Alternatively, fill a 16-ounce spray bottle with water. Add in 10 drops of oregano oil. Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients.[12]
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2Apply the solution onto dirty surfaces. Spray or pour the solution onto the dirty surfaces until they are completely covered. Let the solution set for three to five minutes.[13]
- Use oregano oil to clean surfaces that have come into contact with cooked or raw food like kitchen counters and tables. For other cleaning purposes, test the solution on a small spot for any unwanted effects before using it.[14]
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3Wipe clean. Use a clean cloth or rag to wipe the surface clean. Try to avoid getting the solution on your hands and skin. The oregano oil may cause a burning sensation if it gets onto your skin.[15]
- If the solution gets onto your skin, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and cold water.
Warnings
- Infants, young children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and people on blood thinners should not use oregano oil.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you are scheduled to have surgery and you are taking oregano oil, stop usage at least two weeks before the procedure.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits.html
- ↑ http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits.html
- ↑ http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits.html
- ↑ http://gnowfglins.com/2015/09/14/how-to-use-oregano-oil-safely/
- ↑ http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits.html
- ↑ https://doterra.com/US/en/p/oregano-oil
- ↑ http://gnowfglins.com/2015/09/14/how-to-use-oregano-oil-safely/
- ↑ http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-uses-organic-oregano-oil/
- ↑ http://traditionalcookingschool.com/2015/02/16/essential-oil-diffusion-methods/
- ↑ http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-uses-organic-oregano-oil/
- ↑ http://gnowfglins.com/2015/09/14/how-to-use-oregano-oil-safely/
- ↑ http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits.html
- ↑ http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23848299
- ↑ http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/oregano-oil-health-benefits.html
About This Article
To use oregano oil topically, mix 1 part oregano oil and 3 parts olive or coconut oil, and use a cotton swab to apply it to rashes and insect bites to alleviate itching. You can also apply the mixture to your skin to clear blemishes, or massage the ointment into the bottom of your feet to boost your immune system. To combat toenail fungus or remove a wort or mole, combine equal parts of oregano oil and the carrier oil and apply it with a cotton swab. If you'd rather learn how to use oregano oil while you cook, keep reading the article!
