Health Benefits of Oil of Oregano From Its Unique Ingredients

You can experience these health benefits from Oil of Oregano's unique ingredients:

• A broad-spectrum antibiotic

• Antifungal

• Antiparasitic

• Antiviral

• Prevents free radical damage to your cells

• A natural antihistamine

• Helps lower cholesterol levels

• May inhibit cancer cell growth

Below you'll learn how the oil is made and the effects of its ingredients.

How Oil of Oregano is Made

Oil of Oregano is made from the leaves and flowers of the wild Oregano plant.

The history of oregano oil stretches as far back to the ancient Greeks.

Oregano's name is literally translated to mean, "Joy of the Mountains." It comes from two Greek words: oras meaning "mountain" and ganos meaning "joy".

The ancient Greeks knew about the health benefits of Oil of Oregano and used it for treating many infection-related illnesses and diseases.

Oil of Oregano Ingredients

What makes this oil one of the most powerful natural remedies?

The answer can be found in it's unique makeup of ingredients...all brought together to make a very special oil.

All health benefits of Oil of Oregano can be traced back to these ingredients:

1. Volatile Oils - includes Carvacrol and Thymol

2. Terpenes - includes alpha/beta pinene and alpha terpinene

3. Caffeic Acid derivatives - Rosmarinic acid

4. Flavonoids - Naringin

5. Tocopherols

Below you'll learn more about these ingredients' health benefits:

Volatile Oils

There are 2 volatile oils found in oregano oil with unique properties:

1. Cavacrol - proven in studies to be a powerful antimicrobial and food preservative. Research shows it's effective against bacteria such as :
   • Escherichia coli
   • Salmonella enterica
   • Listeria monocytogenes

   Carvacrol is responsible for providing the many health benefits of Oil of Oregano. It's a proven antifungal and research shows Carvacrol can eliminate parasitic infections.

2. Thymol - also a natural fungicide with antiseptic properties. Did you know thymol is one of the main ingredients in Listerine mouthwash?

Terpenes

The name originates from the word 'turpentine'. Terpenes give off a pine-smelling odor and are also produced by pine trees. Terpenes have antibacterial properties.

Tea tree oil, contains Terpinen 4 OL - another powerful terpene that's proven effective against acne.

Rosmarinic acid

Rosmarinic acid is a stronger antioxidant that vitamin E. It prevents free radical cell damage which may reduce your risk of atherosclerosis and cancer.

A recent study showed that plants rich in rosmarinic acid can be an effective treatment for allergic asthma.

Rosmarinic acid reduces fluid buildup and swelling during an allergy attack (symptoms like a runny, stuffed up nose).

Studies show rosmarinic acid makes an effective natural antihistamine.

This may explain Oil of Oregano's effectiveness as an antihistamine. Rosmarinic acids is also found in lemon balm, sage, marjoram and rosemary.

Naringin

This substance is also found in grapefruits, which gives them that bitter taste.

Naringin was shown to inhibit cancer cells from growing.

Other studies show naringin helps effective antioxidant.

Grapefruit photo courtesy of Hernan Herrero

Tocopherols

Also known as good ol' vitamin E, a known antioxidant.

Other ingredients found in Oil of Oregano include calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, copper, boron, and manganese. You'll also get a dose of vitamins C and A (beta carotene) and niacin.

This complex mixture of compounds helps explain why Oil of Oregano can be used for so many different conditions. I found it works great to help relieve colds and flus, especially bronchitis. It can also be used to treat yeast infections, acne, canker sores and gum disease, foot and nail fungus and more.

For more detailed information on using oregano oil, see my webpage, 15 Uses of Oil of Oregano. You'll find a number of interesting ways to use this oil for better health and wellness.