Best known as a fragrant herb used in Italian cooking, oregano doesn’t only taste good but does good too. It has been popular for its medicinal purposes since ancient Greek and Roman times, and has a range of health benefits including fighting bacteria and supporting gut health.

The herb contains multiple antioxidant compounds such as phenols, terpenes and terpenoids. Carvacrol, the most abundant phenol in oregano, has been shown to stop the growth of several different types of bacteria. Another phenol in the plant called thymol is a natural antifungal that can also help to support the immune system.

What are the health benefits of oregano?

May help fight bacteria

The rich content of carvacrol in oregano is suggested to help fight some bacteria that cause food poisoning and skin infections, as well as being effective against some antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as E. coli and Pseudomonas – common causes of urinary and respiratory tract infections.

Could help treat yeast infections

Multiple test tube studies have found oregano oil to be effective against candida, the type of yeast which is the most common cause of yeast infections. One of the main compounds of oregano oil, carvacrol, has been found to be particularly effective against oral candida. High levels of candida have also been associated with some gut conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, suggesting that oregano oil may be effective against these conditions.

May support gut health

Gut parasites can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, pain and bloating. A study of people with gut symptoms as a result of a parasite found that after daily treatment of oregano oil for six weeks, all participants experienced a reduction in parasites, with 77% of the participants cured. It may also help protect against “leaky gut”, which is what happens when the gut wall becomes damaged and allows bacteria to pass into the bloodstream.

Typical Uses:

We suggest taking 1 softgel of our Oregano Oil per day with food, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20021093/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18997851/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22118215/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10815019/