What Is Oregano Essential Oil?
Wonderfully aromatic and highly potent, Oregano Essential Oil – also called Oil of Oregano - is one of the most respected oils used in natural health and aromatherapy.
Known for its strength and versatility, this oil has been valued for centuries. Historically, Oregano was used by ancient Greeks and Romans to help protect against infection and support vitality, commonly applied to cleanse wounds, ease digestive discomfort, and support respiratory health. Many of these traditional uses remain popular today, with Oregano Oil widely used for immune support, skin cleansing, and seasonal wellness.
Steam distilled from the Origanum vulgare plant, Oregano is naturally rich in two key active compounds: carvacrol and thymol. These constituents are largely responsible for its strong antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, contributing to oregano oil’s reputation as one of the most powerful essential oils available.
With its warm, spicy, herbaceous aroma and impressive therapeutic profile, Oregano Essential Oil continues to be valued by modern aromatherapy enthusiasts and those seeking natural wellness support.
Benefits of Oregano Essential Oil
So how exactly do the powerful properties of Oregano Oil support the mind and body? Here are some of the key Oil of Oregano benefits, and the ways this versatile oil may help you stay well.
Medical Benefits of Oregano Essential Oil
- From a medicinal perspective, the powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties in Oregano Essential Oil make it an effective remedy for various illnesses and infections.
- When applied topically, Oregano Oil properties have been seen to inhibit harmful bacteria that may lead to further illness and infection.
- Due to the anti-inflammatory activity, Oregano Oil is also known to ease muscle and joint pain, soothe skin irritations such as psoriasis, and treat nail fungus.
Benefits of Oregano Essential Oil for Cosmetic Use
- Oregano Essential Oil is rich in antioxidants that are believed to fight signs of ageing, making the skin smoother and clearer.
- Oregano is also considered to be an effective natural remedy for acne, working to eliminate bacteria and brighten the complexion.
- In aromatherapy massage, the benefits of Oregano Oil are best known to soothe redness, irritation, bites, and pain associated with arthritis and injury.
Oregano Essential Oil Aromatherapy Benefits
- In aromatherapy, Oregano Oil benefits have been seen to support and boost the immune system.
- When diffused and inhaled, it is known to decongest the respiratory tract by eliminating excess mucus.
- Additionally, Oregano Oil can help soothe sore and irritated throats while helping to alleviate excessive coughing.
- Oregano Essential Oil is also valued for its calming and mildly sedative effect, making it a fantastic essential oil for promoting sleep.
Popular Uses of Oregano Oil
OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL FOR COLDS
How To Use Oil of Oregano for Colds
- When diffused and inhaled, Oregano Essential Oil properties have been seen to assist with common cold and flu symptoms, including coughing and nasal congestion.
- Oregano Oil is also valued for its ability to help loosen mucous buildup, clear the respiratory tract and promote clearer breathing.
OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL FOR WARTS
How To Use Oregano Essential Oil for Warts
-
Oregano Essential Oil is known to be an effective natural remedy for warts. This is down to the powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties that target the infected skin cells to reduce the wart’s growth.
OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL FOR SKIN
How To Use Oregano Essential Oil for Skin
- Due to its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties, it’s believed Oregano Oil benefits skin complaints such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
- These same properties also make Oregano Oil a fantastic essential oil for relieving fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot.
- It is also known to ease irritations, itchiness, and other skin discomforts resulting from insect bites or stings.
- Other topical uses for Oregano Oil include massage to ease muscle pain and arthritis.
- When rubbed into the abdominal area, Oregano Oil may also promote a healthy digestive system and remove temporary stomach discomfort.
OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
How To Use Oil of Oregano for Health and Wellbeing
- Oil of Oregano is valued for its ability to support emotional wellbeing, with its warm, stimulating aroma often used to help uplift the mood.
- This makes it particularly appealing for women experiencing emotional changes associated with premenstrual symptoms.
- In aromatherapy, Oregano Oil is commonly diffused or inhaled to promote a sense of balance, clarity, and overall wellbeing when low on energy or feeling symptoms of anxiety.
OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL FOR SLEEP
How to Use Oregano Oil for Sleep
- The gentle sedative properties in Oregano Oil make it a fantastic essential oil for promoting sleep.
- Those who suffer from insomnia or struggle to get a good sleep may benefit from using Oil of Oregano at night as a natural sedative.
OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL FOR COUGHS
How to Use Oregano Essential Oil for Coughs
- When inhaled, the anti-inflammatory properties of Oregano Oil may help ease throat irritation and excessive coughing.
- This makes it a great essential oil for colds and flu, especially when coughing or chest tightness is an issue.
OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL FOR CLEANING
How to Use Oregano Oil for Cleaning
- The antiseptic and antibacterial properties also make Oregano Oil one of the best essential oils for cleaning.
- Many find Oregano Oil to be a fantastic ingredient to add to natural surface sprays, bathroom cleaners, mopping detergents and deodorisers.
How to Use Oregano Essential Oil
How to Use Oregano Essential Oil in Aromatherapy
Diffusing: One of the most common ways to use Oregano Oil is in an aromatherapy diffuser. Simply add a few drops to the diffuser and set it going to create a refreshing and soothing environment.
Inhaling: You can also appreciate the aromatic and therapeutic benefits of Oregano Oil by adding a drop to a tissue and inhaling (be sure to avoid direct contact with the skin as this may result in irritation).
Warm Bath: Add a few drops to a warm bath to ease inflammation or skin irritation while creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Cleansing Shower: Place one drop in each corner of your shower and the Oregano Oil aroma will rise with the steam. This can be beneficial to anyone wanting to ease congestion and relax the brain.
How to Use Oregano Essential Oil on the Skin (Topical Application)
Massage: Those wanting to target sore muscles and arthritic pain, simply add a few drops of Oregano Oil to a carrier oil or base massage oil and apply to painful areas.
Skin Serum: To treat various skin complaints such as acne, inflammation, irritation or rashes, add a few drops to a carrier oil and apply to affected areas.
Moisturiser: Oregano Oil can also be added to any moisturisers or skincare products to boost their existing benefits.
Topical Dilution Guidelines
Oregano Oil is particularly potent, so the recommended topical application is less than the regular amount. Please note that the following guidelines are recommended for healthy adults:
- General Use: 1 – 2% dilution (2 – 4 drops per 10ml)
- Facial Application: 0.5 – 1% dilution (1 – 2 drops per 10ml)
How to Use Oregano Essential Oil for Cleaning
Surface Cleaners: To create an all-natural surface cleaner, add ½ Cup White Vinegar and 10 – 15 drops of Oregano Essential Oil in a bottle, shake well before use!
Cleaning Paste: In a bottle combine the following: 1 Cup Baking Soda, ¼ Cup Natural Dish Liquid, 1 Tbsp White Vinegar and 10 – 15 drops of Oregano Essential Oil. Using a microfiber cloth, this formulation can be used to clean sinks, toilets and showers. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing well.
Floor Cleaner: You can also add a few drops to your floor detergent to enhance existing benefits.
Where to Buy Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano Essential Oil can generally be found in any health, cosmetic and wellbeing retail stores, but the quality and purity of natural oils can vary from one to the next. It is recommended that you buy from a reputable and reliable supplier who can provide product documentation to ensure optimum quality.
Here at AWO, we value the quality and purity of our oils and for this reason, we only provide 100% pure Oregano Oil.
What Customers Are Saying About Oregano Oil
“This oil is top quality, its amazing. I have a cough so I’m using it with Fractionated Coconut Oil, rubbing it on my throat and it's making me better already. Pretty much instantly!”
Olga (Verified Customer)
“Such a great product and worth looking into the benefits it provides!”
Carolyn (Verified Customer)
“Used it for keeping my house cockroach free as I had a few of them in my rental. I haven’t seen them since I mopped my floors with Oregano Oil and Eucalyptus Essential Oil. My floor is cleaner, it’svery herbaceous smelling I like it!”
Aroha (Verified Customer)
Oregano Essential Oil Safety
While essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, AWO suggests the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Avoid using Oregano Essential Oil during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your Essential Oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Oregano Essential Oil is very concentrated and is likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). See our recommended dilution guidelines in the ‘How to Use Oregano Oil’ section.
FAQs
What are the most popular Oregano Oil uses for skin?
Due to its strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, Oregano Oil has many uses in skincare. It’s commonly used to help cleanse blemish-prone skin, soothe minor irritations, and support skin affected by congestion or breakouts such as acne. Because of its antiviral properties, many people also explore using Oregano Oil for warts as part of their natural skincare routine. As a highly concentrated essential oil, always dilute it with a carrier oil before topical use.
What does Oregano Oil do for overall wellbeing?
The healing properties in Oregano Oil are said to be good for wellbeing, thanks to its naturally antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant profile. In aromatherapy, it’s used to support immune health, promote balance during seasonal challenges, and help the body feel more resilient when under stress.
Is Oregano Oil good for a cough?
Oregano Oil is often used in aromatherapy to support respiratory health because of its antimicrobial, antiviral, and expectorant-like properties. When diffused or inhaled, its strong, herbaceous aroma may help clear congestion, loosen mucus, and support easier breathing during seasonal discomforts. These properties make oregano oil a popular choice for respiratory support and coughs.