Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic and antifungal oil which is very effective for various ailments. It contains several potential healing compounds such as carvacrol, thymol, and terpinene. Oregano is consumed in different ways such as an essential oil, culinary spice, herbal supplement, tincture, and its also used as a food preservative. Making the oil of oregano at home is pretty easy; it has many health benefits as well as other benefits not related to health.
You can apply oregano oil on the skin to help treat skin conditions such as ringworm, acne, dandruff, canker sores, warts, wounds. The oil of oregano is also used to prepare different delicious recipes. It is also used topically as an insect repellent. Extracted oil from Oregano comes in different forms such as capsules, spray, and essential oil.
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Cold-pressed vs Heating
Usually, when making any essential oil for my hair, skin, or cooking, I make sure I avoid heat as much as possible. Heat can alter the natural properties of oil which are beneficial to health. I use the cold-pressed method to extract almost all my essential oils. The cold-pressed method retains all the nutrients of the oil. The homemade oregano oil is virgin because I ensure that no nutrient or ingredient is destroyed during the infusion process.
Oregano oil is not an essential oil but can be concentrated into an essential oil. Making this oil at home is a great way to include this natural herbal remedy in your skincare products. The oil is safe for topical use and can be ingested as well. When extracting oil from oregano at home, it is very important to sterilize your jars or any other tool you will be using for the oil extraction. The best way to preserve your oil is to store it in the refrigerator, it stays longer there than on the shelve. If you are storing out of the refrigerator, make sure it is away from sunlight.
Grinding up your herbs first will help to increase the surface area, so you can get that medicine out of the plant and into the oil a bit faster!
Health benefits of oregano oil
- Oregano Oil has strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties.
- Its usage is very effective for infections affecting the skin, face, feet, hair, and many parts of the body.
- This oil can be used in the treatment of skin infections such as acne, eczema, ringworm, or fungal infections affecting the feet.
- It is used in treating many illnesses such as ear infections, sinus infection, strep throat (sore throat), toothache, etc.
- Used to improve gut health when taken daily for 6 weeks
- This homemade oil can help you lose weight, thanks to one of its ingredients called carvacrol.
- Used for salad dressings.
- It is a strong natural pain reliever that can help reduce pain associated with bursitis and arthritis.
How to use it
- It can be used on the skin with olive oil at a concentration of 1 teaspoon of olive oil for every drop of oregano oil. Use it to rub on the affected body area.
- If you prefer to use oregano by taking it under the tongue; dilute with olive oil by using one drop of this oil to one drop of olive oil. After diluting it, put 1–3 drops under the tongue, and allow it to be absorbed under the tongue for a few minutes before you flush with water.
- You can use it by drinking. You can also take it orally by adding 2 or 3 drops into a cup of water and drink.
- It can be used as a mouthwash to gargle. The best way to preserve your homemade oregano oil is to store it in the refrigerator, it stays longer there than on the shelve.
To make oil of oregano, you will need these Ingredients and Items
- 1 large bunch fresh oregano leaves
- Sterilized mason jar
- Olive oil
- Clean bowls
- Chopping board
- Knife
Steps on how to make oregano oil at home
- Separate the oregano leaves from the stems and wash the leaves thoroughly under running water.
- Put the leaves in a colander to drain for a few minutes; after, place the leaves on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to chop them smaller pieces.
- Bring the chopped oregano leaves into a sterilized jar, pour some olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower into the jar containing the leaves.
- You can stir with a spoon and make sure the leaves are fully immersed in the oil.
- Once you are done, cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid and set it on a dark place away from sunlight
- Shake the leaves in the jar every two days for two weeks
- After two weeks, the color of your carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, or any oil of choice) should change to green. This shows the contents of the oregano leaves have been infused into the carrier oil.
- Strain out the leaves into a clean container
- Your Oregano oil is ready. You can store it in an airtight container and use it whenever you like.