Oregano is used as an Italian herb in cooking and is known by almost everyone. It can be a concentrated herbal supplement in the form of oil, also known as oregano oil. Apart from cooking oil, it is found as oregano essential oils that have a much stronger concentration of the oregano plant. Oregano essential oil is made from the leaves of the oregano plant.
It is used through inhalation to treat specific health conditions. It has various health benefits but mainly it is used for candida, pathogenic yeast, and type of fungus. There are standard antifungal drugs to treat candida but oregano oil is the perfect cure. No doubt, it has health benefits, but too much use of oregano oil can have side effects that can be severe at times.
Side Effects Of Oregano Oil
In some people, there are side effects of oregano oil. Sometimes, the side effects can be severe with too much use of oregano oil. Also, some people are allergic to oregano oil where too little use can have side effects. In some cases, it can be low blood sugar level, stomach discomfort, etc. Also, it is recommended to avoid the use of oregano oil when you are pregnant. It is because it can cause miscarriage.
May Cause Allergies
Although oregano oil is generally well-tolerated it can cause allergies in some people. The most prominent and pronounced effects are due to the oregano oil supplement. It is because these products do not require strict US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals.
It is for those people who are allergic to the Lamiaceae family, and should not use oregano or its products for cooking or curing. The other members of this Lamiaceae family are lavender, mint, sage, marjoram, and basil. Hence, people with allergies should avoid the use of oregano oil. The sign of allergies that need immediate medical assistance due to excessive use of oregano oil are as follows:
- Sneezing, asthma, runny nose
- Swelling
- Rashes
- Itching
Skin Irritation
When it comes to the use of oregano oil, it can cause skin irritation at concentration levels as low as 3 to 5%. Oregano oil is a popular topical remedy for skincare. If you are using the wrong amounts or not diluting the concentration of the oil, then it can cause skin irritation. It is even listed as a skin irritant by The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.
The skin irritation can be rashes or any other form. It is recommended that you should never apply oregano oil directly on the skin, even if it is 1% concentrated. Also, if you are allergic to oregano oil, then it can cause some serious skin irritations. Hence, oregano oil should be used with precautions for skincare.
Can Cause Stomach Upset
Usually, oregano oil is diluted in water or any other oil to use as a remedy for several diseases. As a result, there are different ingredients in the mixture used as a cure. Sometimes, it causes problems for people with weak stomachs. It happens because it irritates the gastrointestinal tract.
If you are using oregano oil too much or exceeding the recommended dose, then it is likely to increase the risk of an unhealthy gut. Before you use oregano oil as a remedy, make sure to consult your doctor.
It Can Cause Hypoglycemia
The carvacrol in oregano oil can cause hypoglycemia. It is an excessively low blood sugar level. In the study, oregano oil used on animals such as rats exhibit reductions in serum glucose levels. It might be good news for some people or a health benefit but not for those who are already taking blood sugar-lowering medications. As a result, it causes hypoglycemia.
Oregano oil may be one of the different types of essential oils that can affect glucose sensitivity. Before using oregano oil, make sure to consult your doctor because it will further enhance the effects.
Can Lead To Respiratory And Cardiac Collapse
Thymol, another compound in oregano, can cause respiratory or cardiac collapse. Also, thymol can cause seizures, hyperactivity, or sometimes coma. These effects are rare but one should be aware of the side effects when they consume too much oil of oregano. So, before you start using it, make sure that you are aware of the usage or daily dose.
It Can Cause Miscarriage
An herbal tea containing oregano oil is said to have caused miscarriages in pregnant women. But it is unsure that herbal tea contains several other ingredients that make it difficult to determine that oregano was the sole culprit.
Also, there have been other reports that discussed the possibility of herbal tea as a cause of miscarriage. Excessive consumption of herbs can deliberately induce miscarriage. As a result, oregano oil can be one such herb.
Oregano oil can have abortifacient effects. So, make sure to consult a gynecologist before using oregano oil for any purpose.
May Interact With Certain Medications
Given the hypoglycemic effects, the oil of oregano could interact with the diabetes medications. However, there is no research to support this side effect. But if you are taking medications for diabetes then consult the doctor before using oregano oil.
The reason behind this side effect is that oregano oil interferes with the absorption of copper, iron, and zinc. Those who are taking the supplements should consult their doctor before using oregano oil. There is no doubt that the oil of oregano is beneficial to human health but consuming it too much can have adverse effects.
Excessive Risk of Bleeding
Taking oregano oil with blood-thinning medication or those that are used for slow blood clotting can increase the risk of bruising or bleeding. If you are taking medications like warfarin, heparin, and aspirin, then be careful about the usage of oregano oil. If you already have a bleeding disorder, then using oregano oil can be a great health hazard.
Those who are soon to undergo surgery should not be using oregano oil within two weeks of the surgery. It can increase the risk of bleeding in which you might end up in severe health conditions.
Common Uses Of Oregano Oil
Use Of Herbal Supplement Or Herb In Cooking
- Yeast infections (Candida)
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Parasitic Infections
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Upper Respiratory Infections
- Norovirus (Stomach Virus)
- Bacterial Infections (E. Coli)
Use Of Oregano Essential Oil As A Vapor
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Cough
- Respiratory Infections
Use Of Oregano Essential Oil (Diluted)
- Dandruff
- Acne
- Topical Infections
- Poison Ivy
- Bug Bites
Dosage And Use Of Oregano Oil
When you learn about an essential oil or use it, there is an extensive study behind every essential oil and its uses. This is why all essential oil supplements or extracts have a recommended dose. They are mostly established by manufacturers or consultants. So, medicinal doses of oil of oregano for people have been studied extensively. Talking about oregano oil, then phenols like thymol have been taken into account.
If you are using any form of oregano oil, then it is recommended to avoid excessive use, especially for the skin. Unlike other essential oils, a little is enough in the case of oregano oil. One or two drops of diluted oil of oregano might not seem like a lot but going over that dose can cause side effects.
When To See Your Doctor
As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of oregano allergy can include difficulty breathing, stomach upset, and rashes on the skin. Also, keep in mind that the oregano oil should not be inhaled if you are allergic to it. It can cause inflammation of the airways. As a result, the side effects can be severe. Chronic exposure to thymol can cause side effects as follows:
- Excess Salivation
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Headache
- Fear of Heights
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
When you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it means that you should visit your doctor, nutritionist, or dietician. If it is not severe, it can be cured easily. On the other hand, if you use oregano oil excessively, then it might cause a serious health condition.
Use Of Oregano Oil – Excessive Use Brings Side Effects
There are various health benefits of oregano oil, especially it is a great cure for candida but everything comes with side effects. The side effects of oregano oil are more than health benefits. With excessive use, you can have serious side effects leading to heart failure, coma, breathing problems, etc.
If you want to use oregano oil as a remedy for various health problems, make sure to follow the dosage instructions. Also, if you are unaware or unsure about the daily dosage, then consult your doctor before using oregano oil. Keep in mind that essential oils are stronger than supplements. Before you use the essential oil of oregano, make sure to dilute it to the lowest level, especially for using it on the skin.