Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water
- 2 teaspoons liquid castille soap
- 20 drops Oregano essential oil
Instructions
- Pour ingredients into a spray bottle, preferably made of glass
- Shake well before use
- Store in a cool, dark place. (Essential oils oxidize in sunlight)
Here are some facts on the power of Oregano oil from Dr. Mercola:
Writing in the international journal LWT — Food Science and Technology,10 researchers published results of a study demonstrating the effectiveness of oregano essential oil in the removal of young and mature S. aureus biofilms. Staphylococcus is an underlying pathogen in many instances of food poisoning around the world. This study highlighted the potential for oregano essential oil and carvacrol, a compound found in oregano oil, to reduce the number of cells sticking to food preparation surfaces.11
In the study, oregano oil performed more effectively than sodium hypochlorite, a conventional means of removing bacteria from stainless steel surfaces used in the food industry. Unlike sodium hypochlorite, oregano oil does not cause corrosive damage to surfaces.
The study supports the results of previous research demonstrating the antimicrobial activity of oregano essential oil. In one study the oregano oil was the most effective against E. coli12 and in another was highly effective against salmonella in washing organic leafy greens.13
In a paper published in Emerald Insight, researchers from Brazil demonstrated oregano oil had antibacterial activity against microorganisms responsible for food spoilage, except pseudomonas.14 Oregano essential oil is also the subject of studies by the swine industry, as its components have demonstrated the ability to permeate and depolarize bacterial membranes, resulting in pathogen cell death.
Research done at Iowa State University looked at common livestock pathogens and the ability of oregano essential oils to protect against inflammatory damage. The researchers found it was a safe and accepted feed ingredient with potent activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.15
In another study,16 researchers discovered that, in gaseous form, 14 essential oils had strong antimicrobial activity against bacteria known to cause food poisoning and upper respiratory infections. These bacteria included E. coli, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and H. influenzae.
The gaseous form of essential oils were most effective against H. influenzae and least effective against E. coli, but exhibited some degree of antimicrobial activity against all.17 In each of these studies researchers used oil of oregano from the true oregano plant and not common oregano marjoram found in your kitchen cabinet.
Research Demonstrates Oil Rivals Antibiotics Without Developing Resistance
Each pound of medicinal grade oregano oil is the product of over 1,000 pounds of wild oregano.22 Oregano oil has demonstrated antibacterial effects on human tissue as well as on your kitchen counters.
In a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers found oregano oil was effective against three gram-negative (E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two gram-positive (S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis) bacteria.23 Another study found the oil to be effective against parasites and even some cancer cells.24
In a paper published in Pathogens and Disease, researchers found oregano oil was an effective adjunct to antibiotics in fighting multiple drug-resistant E. coli.25 Yeast infections resistant to the antifungal drug Diflucan responded to the use of oregano oil.26 The oil has also demonstrated effectiveness against the deadly superbug, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.27
Urinary tract infections,32 respiratory infections33 and parasitic infections34 all respond to treatment with medicinal strength oil of oregano, even when the infection is resistant to pharmaceutical antibiotics.
Oregano Essential Oil Offers Many Other Benefits
The health benefits of oregano essential oil may be attributed to high levels of antioxidants and the oil’s antiviral, antibiotic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.35
- Respiratory: Expectorant properties of oregano essential oil may loosen uncomfortable mucus and phlegm buildup in your respiratory tract and sinuses. The oil may prevent and treat symptoms of respiratory ailments.
- Anti-inflammatory properties with internal or external use may help reduce pain associated with arthritis or injury.
- Antifungal properties may help in the treatment against fungal toenail infections.36
- Antiviral properties may provide protection against viral infections, including the common cold.
- Anti-allergenic properties of oregano oil may be related to the oil’s anti-inflammatory and sedative properties, which may help reduce hypersensitivity from external stimuli associated with allergic symptoms.
References
- 9, 10 Prevent Disease, April 11, 2018
- 11 LWT, 2018, 93:293
- 12 Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 2015;26:10.3402
- 13 Food Microbiology, 2013;34(1)
- 14 Emerald Insight, Antibacterial Activity of Oregano Essential Oil Against Foodborne Pathogens
- 15 Iowa State University, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Oregano Essential Oil
- 16, 17 Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2001;47(5):565
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- 22 Dr. Eric Z, Natural Antibiotic Alternative
- 23 Journal of Medicinal Food, 2013; 16(12):1115
- 24 Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 21(6):943
- 25 Pathogens and Disease, 2008; 53(2)
- 26 Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 2008;54(11):950
- 27 Medical News Today November 24, 2008
- 28 LewRockwell, October 13, 2001
- 29 Biomed Research International, 2014; 2014: 735413
- 30 Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2000; 66(6): 2627
- 31 Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 1999; 65(10): 4606
- 32 Medycyna Doświadczalna i Mikrobiologia 2012;64(4):297
- 33 Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science September 2012;74(5):443
- 34 Journal of Parasitology Research 2006;98(6):557
- 35 Organic Facts, 11 Amazing Benefits of Oregano Essential Oil
- 36 Home Remedies for Life, April 4, 2018