In the world of naturopathic medicine, this small, scrubby, fuzzy green herb has long been known for its strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Oil of oregano concentrates these properties into a potent medicine. In the past few years, this little-researched remedy has therefore garnered attention and acclaim from M.D.’s, journalists, and celebrities alike.
Glancing at some of the first items that pop up on a Google search, it seems oil of oregano can be used to treat just about anything. Yeast infections, foot fungi, respiratory infections, inflammation, MRSA, Listeria, cancer — testimonials abound about the oil’s effectiveness against all kinds of pains and maladies. Due to a lack of research, however, how and when to use oil of oregano is often unclear for those who are interested in the oil as a safer, more natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.
“The most important thing to inform some of your decision on some of the herbs and a lot of supplements that are out there — they’re FDA approved but not FDA researched, which has its own pros and cons — is how you feel,” said Artemis Morris, N.D., a naturopathic practitioner, researcher, author, and founder of Revive Wellness Center in Connecticut. “If you want to use oil of oregano in the most informed, clinically responsible way, it would be really important to have a naturopathic physician be someone in your care plan.”
Oil of oregano’s medicinal potency comes from the concentration of the herb’s volatile compounds — tiny but mighty molecules found in the leaves of the plant. The most abundant volatile compound found in different species of oregano is carvacrol — a fragrant phenol that gives oregano its signature smell and many of its medicinal properties, according to An Herb Society of America Guide to the Genus Origanum.
“Carvacrol is probably the strongest anti-viral component because it helps to inhibit viral replication,” said Jenn Dazey, N.D., professor of botanical medicine at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA.
Species of oregano also yield high levels of thymol, a thyme-scented phenol known for its antioxidant, antifungal and antiseptic properties.
Carvacrol, thymol and the many other volatile compounds that can be distilled from the oregano plant inhibit the growth of bacteria, which makes them powerful alternatives to antibiotics. In 2010, researchers presenting at the International Symposium on Animal Genomics for Animal Health concluded oregano oil’s antibiotic potency was such that it may provide “drug-free alternative strategies for disease control for poultry infectious diseases.”
While oregano oil does provide what some call a more natural alternative to antibiotics, bacterial infections can still develop resistance to it, Dazey said.
