Can Oil be Good for Health? Oregano Oil here gives you many health benefits; Check Details Here

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• Apr 3, 2023 | Poonam Nath

This oil is advantageous because it contains carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene, and y-terpinene, all of which have antibacterial properties...

Digital Desk: Oregano is a herb that is widely found in Italian foods. It is commonly used as a condiment in various food items such as pizza and pasta. Because of its therapeutic properties, oregano oil can be utilised for a variety of health benefits in addition to cooking. 

According to nutritionist Shonali Sabherwal, it has been used since the time of Hippocrates, a Greek physician. This oil is useful due to the inclusion of carvacrol and thymol (both anti-bacterial), p-cymene, and y-terpinene.

Coughs and colds can be treated with oregano. "I dilute it with it" (as a preventative measure). If I have congestion, I apply it on my gums and eat it," Shonali noted in her status.

Oregano oil has numerous health benefits, according to Reema Kinjalkar, a dietitian at Urban Platter. She mentioned the following advantages of the oil:

Antioxidants: Antioxidants bond to free radicals, which are dangerous pollutants in our bodies. They aid in the prevention of cellular damage and oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer or heart disease. Carvacrol and thymol are antioxidants found in oregano that can help prevent harm by neutralising disease-causing free radicals.

Anti-inflammatory: It decreases inflammation due to its high antioxidant content. It aids in the prevention of a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurological disorders, and medication toxicity. Carvacrol inhibits the generation of inflammatory mediators known to promote inflammation (interleukins). Carvacrol also aids in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is induced by cigarette smoking.

Natural antibiotic: Oregano oil effectively inactivated a variety of pathogenic bacteria and biofilms, regardless of antibiotic sensitivity. It has also been shown to be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacterium strains. Topical oregano oil is beneficial in wound treatment and healing due to its capacity to guard against bacterial infection, including killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Because of the high concentration of thymol in oregano oil, it is an excellent treatment for typical candida fungal infections.

Chemopreventive properties: It may also aid in the treatment of cancer: Carvacrol is a very effective cell growth inhibitor in human lung and breast cancer. In stomach cancer, oregano oil may have antiproliferative properties.

Hypolipidemic effect: The presence of carvacrol in oregano oil, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, can reduce LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol. The oil is also known to lower C-reactive protein levels, which are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Help in lowering medication/drug adverse effects: Many drugs and prescriptions are harmful to one's health. Carvacrol may be advantageous during iron therapy. Iron supplementation might cause digestive problems like constipation and vomiting. Carvacrol has the potential to protect intestinal epithelial cells from salmonella infection.

Shonali also said that oregano oil can be used as an expectorant, which helps bring up mucus from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea when inhaled (excellent for inhalations).

How should oregano oil be consumed?

If you have a cold or a blocked nasal, Shonali recommends taking 3-5 drops of oregano oil orally every day. You can also use the oil as a prophylactic step. "Mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil into water or juice and drink." "For external application, mix the oil with any carrier oil and apply it to the skin," Reema explained.

How do you make oregano oil?

Making oregano oil is not difficult and can be done at home with the help of one of Shonali's recipes.

Recipes for oregano oil

Making use of fresh oregano leaves

Ingredients

*2 cups fresh oregano leaves (ideally organic) *1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Method

*Combine both ingredients, press leaves down with a pestle, and store in a cool place for 2 weeks. Swirl it every day. After two weeks, strain the oil. Keep refrigerated in a glass jar.

Making use of dried oregano leaves

Ingredients

*2 cups extra virgin oil *1/2 cup oregano leaves

Method

*Place oregano leaves in a bottle and cover with olive oil. Place the jar in the boiling water and leave it for 15 minutes.

*After that, place the jar in the sun for two weeks. Once a day, shake the mixture. After 2 weeks, pour the oil from the leaves into a clean bottle and keep it somewhere cool.