Is Oil of Oregano Nature’s Antibiotic?
Heading into cold and flu season, we can all use all the help we can get in dodging germs. However, you do not have to look far, the helping hand can come from a humble culinary herb we use day in and day out. Many of us sprinkle oregano into our cooking without realizing it actually bears impressive health benefits.
The oil from the oregano herb is proving to be a natural remedy with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties that can help you fight off infections and stay healthy. The main components of oregano oil are the phenols, carvacrol and thymol which give oil of oregano its potent antiseptic and antioxidant properties. It also contains terpenes, pinene and terinene, which contribute to the antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Oregano oil has also been used traditionally for a wide range of ailments, including indigestion, dental cavities, respiratory disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and urinary tract infections. Oregano oil has demonstrated antibacterial activity against 11 different bacteria, and human clinical trials have shown it to be beneficial for intestinal parasites, and a variety of fungi, including Candida.
Oil of oregano’s power does not stop there, other studies have shown that the antioxidant properties of oil of oregano had strong protective effects against the oxidation of LDL, (the bad) cholesterol. Research has also shown anticarcinogenic effects of Oil of Oregano, suggesting possible use in prevention of cancer.
The benefits of oregano oil certainly goes beyond the kitchen, its antiviral and antibacterial properties make it a highly effective guard against many germs. When looking for an oil of oregano supplement, it is important to make sure that the carvacrol concentration is at least 70%. This season, be sure to make oil of oregano your family’s go-to defense against infections this winter.
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