We all know that oregano is used as a flavoring for spaghetti and pizza but that is usually the dried and crushed leaves instead of the essential oil. According to Wikipedia, Hippocrates used oregano as an antiseptic, as well as a cure for stomach and respiratory ailments. Oregano is still used today in Greece as a palliative for sore throat.
Oregano is high in antioxidants because of its phenolic acids and flavonoids. It also has shown antimicrobial activity against strains of food-borne pathogens. The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood lists oregano several times as one of the essential oils to use for respiratory problems such as coughs, sinusitis and influenza.
My main reason for writing about oregano essential oil today is anecdotal. We went to lunch with some friends and the topic of essential oils came up. One of our friends said that he had been using some over the counter medicines for a cold that kept lingering when he was told to try oregano essential oil. He says that he was so tired of feeling bad that he put 5 or 6 drops of oregano on his tongue and he felt better almost instantly. While that was distressing to me because I don’t think you should take essential oils by mouth without diluting them, I think I will try oregano essential oil the next time I start feeling like I’m coming down with a cough, sore throat or a cold.
- See more at: http://naturalbodyguru.com/aromatherapy/essential-...