Oregano is one of the most common culinary herbs we use in Greece. However, in addition to its dried form, it can be used as an essential oil for purely medicinal purposes.
Oregano essential oil strengthens the body's natural defenses, ie the immune system. At the same time, it fights pathogenic microorganisms to such an extent that it is considered a natural antibiotic.
Oregano was used for medicinal purposes thousands of years ago by many peoples, including the ancient Greeks. The word oregano means "joy of the mountain", since in ancient Greek the words "mountain" and "ganos" mean joy and brilliance.
The father of Medical Hippocrates (5th century BC) used oregano to treat gastritis and respiratory diseases. Antigonus of Karystios (3rd century BC) in his work "Historical Paradoxical Synagogue" wrote that the Pelasgians healed their wounds by putting oregano.
A holistic therapeutic tool
The wild Mediterranean oregano has the most beneficial properties, especially the one that grows in the mountains. Cultivated oregano is considered to be of inferior quality. One popular way to get as much healing as possible is to distill oregano to create essential oil.
Oregano essential oil contains dozens of chemical compounds. However, there are two main components to which it owes its reputation, carvacrol and thiol, which are phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. Some other substances contained in oregano are α-pinene, β-pinene, p-cyanide, thugene, α-terpene, β-cariophylline, etc.
According to experts, the strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-cancer (for some types of cancer) properties of oregano oil, rank it at the top of essential oils. According to scientists, it can deal with a wide range of germs, fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Its contribution to the strengthening of the immune system is also remarkable, due to the phenolic compounds, vitamins and other elements it contains. For example, oregano contains huge amounts of vitamin C compared to other plants.
Several articles have written that the French doctor Belaiche, at an international conference on phytotherapy and aromatherapy in Monaco, used oregano oil as a reference base to compare the bactericidal action of other substances. The doctor made this decision after strict laboratory experiments that proved that oregano oil has the most effective antibacterial action of all essential oils.
Particularly important is the contribution of oregano oil to the fight against Candida, this fungus that is a silent enemy to the health of many people. In a study by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, oregano essential oil showed a very strong antioxidant effect on the oxidation of serum lipoproteins. That is, its inclusion in the diet may reduce, among other things, the risk of atherosclerosis.
The action of the essential oil of oregano is beneficial for the health of the respiratory system. It is considered antitussive and can help us deal with various respiratory infections (and not only).
How to make oregano oil
Oregano essential oil can be used as a beverage. Just a few drops in warm water are enough to get its beneficial properties. It can also act externally, especially for the treatment of skin infections.
Oregano distillation requires a special process. However, if you do not want to buy one of the commercially available preparations, you can make oregano oil yourself. It is important to get wild oregano for greater benefits.
What you will need is a cup of chopped oregano, three cups of olive oil and a sterile jar. The ratio of oregano and oil is 1 to 3. The first thing you need to do is boil water in a saucepan. Once the fire is extinguished, put the oregano and oil in the jar and pour it into the hot water for about 15 minutes. This will heat the oil and release the natural oils of oregano.
Then place it next to a sunny window for about 10 days. It's a good to shake the jar every day. The next step is to strain the mixture and put it in a sterile bottle. It should be stored in a dark and cool place.
By Dr Angel,
Aggeliki Koskeridou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc Health Psychology
