How to Make Oil of Oregano (And Why Every Homesteader Needs It)

Learn how to make oil of oregano and how to use oregano oil.  Making oregano oil at home is very simple, and it's a great product to know how to use and to keep on hand in case of an emergency.

How to Make Oregano Oil at Home

Living in a rural area, we don't have access to a doctor after 5 pm unless we go to the emergency room.  Even the walk in clinics close at 5, and it's a half an hour drive.  

Therefore, I like to keep home remedies on hand just in case we need them.  

Home remedies aren't a substitute for a doctor, so please don't think I'm suggesting that.  However, I do like to learn about herbal remedies so I can make decisions when medical care isn't available.

We are not only trying to live off our homestead, but we are also trying to be prepared for the worst case scenario.  

Here are some more home remedies that can support your body and promote wellness:

• Turmeric Ginger Shots Recipe
• Turmeric Hot Chocolate
• Old Fashioned Cough Syrup
• How to Make Homemade Vapor Rub for Cough or Cold
• DIY Menthol and Eucalyptus Shower Tablets
• How to Make Elderberry Tea
• How to Make Calendula Salve
• Plantain Salve Recipe
• How to Make Comfrey Infused Oil
• Honey and Onion Cough Syrup Recipe

I keep a binder of my natural home recipes.  I have the cover, inserts, and recipe pages to create your own Recipes for a Natural Home binder.

For more information on herbs and how to use them in your home, I highly recommend The Herbal Academy's courses.  They have a variety of courses from beginner to advanced.

What is Oil of Oregano?

Before we get started on oregano oil benefits and how to use oregano oil, let's talk about what it is.  Oil of oregano is not oregano essential oil.

I will never suggest taking any essential oil internally, and especially do not ever take oregano essential oil by mouth!  It is a potent oil that can cause serious damage.

This oil of oregano recipe is a carrier oil that's infused with dried oregano.  The oil takes on the properties of the herb, but it's at a much lower concentration than the essential oil.  

Making oregano oil at home is easy to do, but it takes a few weeks to infuse so plan accordingly.

You can also make a similar recipe that's called an oregano tincture.  This is similar, but it's not as oily.

What Are The Benefits of Taking Oil of Oregano?

Oregano oil benefits are numerous for your body.  Oregano is high in antioxidants and other compounds.  

Oregano is high in carvacrol.  In a study regarding food safety, carvacrol was shown to inhibit yeast and bacteria from growing.

The thymol found in oregano has an antifungal effect according to a study.

The rosmarinic acid is a strong antioxidant that can protect your body from damage by free radicals. (source)

Nature's Antibiotic

Perhaps the biggest of oregano oil benefits is that it's considered a natural antibiotic.  It was found to protect against a few types of bacteria, including types of bacteria that can cause respiratory tract infections and urinary infections. (source, source)

Cholesterol Benefits

The carvacrol and thymol have been shown in a study to improve cholesterol in mice.  It's said to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise the HDL (good) cholesterol.

Antioxidant

Antioxidants help combat damage from free radicals.  Oregano oil has a high concentration of antioxidants, so you don't need as much to get the benefits.  

Yeast

Oregano oil is effective against five types of yeast.  These kinds of yeast can cause problems for women and in the mouth.  

This study is about the essential oil, which again we are not using.  However, homemade oregano has the same compounds at a lower concentration.

Gut Health

This oil of oregano recipe may help reduce GI discomfort when related to a parasite or from leaky gut.  Leaky gut is when bacteria and toxins leak from the intestines into the bloodstream.  

Again this is a study on the essential oil, but it's worth noting because oregano infused oil has the same benefits in a lower concentration.  Using pigs in the study, oregano protected the wall of the intestines and prevented leaky gut.

Side note: If you have a kiddo with ADHD or autism, go down the leaky gut rabbit hole.  I highly recommend reading Special Needs Kids Eat Right by Judy Converse.

Anti-Inflammatory

When applied topically to mice, oregano oil reduced inflammation by up to 60 percent! (source)  This is likely due to the carvacrol.

Nutrients

This oil of oregano recipe is also high in vitamins and minerals, including:

• Vitamin C
• Folate
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Copper
• Calcium

Oregano oil benefits for colds including helping with certain types of germs, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and boosting vitamin C and other miners.

How to Use Oil of Oregano

Again, we are talking about making oregano oil at home with a carrier oil and dried oregano.  This is not for the essential oil.  Do not ingest essential oils.

You can take this homemade oregano oil by mouth or use it topically.  This is an infused oil that has the benefits of both the carrier oil and the dried herb.  You can learn more about carrier oils and their benefits here.

There are a few ways to use your homemade oregano oil:

• Place 2-3 drops under your tongue and hold it there for a few minutes.  
• Mix 2-3 drops in orange juice or tea.
• Apply oregano infused oil directly to the skin for microbial or fungal infections.
• Use the oregano infused oil in cooking for to add flavor.

I recommend doing a patch test before using oil of oregano on the skin.  Do not use on broken skin or on children.

You can also use oil of oregano capsules.  I'm not a fan of using the oil, but I'll suck it up and take it to get better.  However, my husband will not touch it.  

I bought some oil of oregano capsules, which are more expensive than learning how to make oregano oil at home, but they are more convenient.

Who Should Not Take Oil of Oregano?

While there are several oregano oil benefits, there are some people who should not take it.  Do not take if you are pregnant or nursing.  

People who take lithium should not take oregano oil.  You should also avoid it if are taking blood thinners or diabetes medications.

Do not use oil of oregano is if you are allergic to herbs like thyme, sage, mint, marjoram, hyssop, basil, or lavender.

How Much Oil of Oregano Should I Take Per Day?

Since this oil of oregano recipe is considered a supplement, there isn't a recommended dosage.  However, the general rule is 2-3 drops at a time or a 100 to 150 mg capsule.  

You can take 3 to 4 doses per day.

Do not take more than recommended.  It can cause irritation and discomfort.  This is a powerful herb, so it should be treated with respect.

When Should I Take Oil of Oregano?

If you're wondering how to use oregano oil and when, it just depends.  Some people take it daily, and other take it as needed.

If you take it daily, it's recommended to use it for no more than three weeks and then take a break at least a week long before resuming.

Can You Make Oregano Oil From Dried Oregano?

I always recommend using dried herbs to make an herbal infusion.  The oil and herb have to sit for several weeks.  The moisture in the herb can cause bacteria to grow.

Therefore, it's important to dry the herb and also to ensure that the oil covers the dried herbs in the jar while they infuse.

I recommend buying from Grassroots Herb Supply, Mountain Rose Herbs, or Starwest Botanicals.

If you grow your own herbs like I do, then dry the plant and cut it into small pieces with herb scissors or use a mortar and pestle to grind it.  You can dry your oregano similar to how to dry tea herbs from your garden.

Best Carrier Oil for Homemade Oregano Oil

Most people use olive oil to learn how to make oregano oil at home.  Olive oil is a great oil to use, and it's easy to find in most grocery stores.

However, I used fractionated coconut oil.  Fractionated coconut oil is a liquid at room temperature, so it's easy to infuse.

It's colorless and odorless, so it won't alter the taste of your juice or tea if you take your oil that way.

Olive oil can last up to 2 years before it goes rancid, but it should be used within about 2-3 months after opening.  

Fractionated coconut oil, however, is very stable.  It can be opened for up to 2 years before going rancid.

You can also use grapeseed oil to learn how to make your own oregano oil.  Grapeseed oil is also really good for your hair, so you can use the rest to  make a homemade hot oil treatment for hair.

Should Oil of Oregano Be Refrigerated?

You do not have to store your homemade oregano oil in the fridge.  It is shelf stable.

However, storing in the fridge will extend its life.

If it smells rancid or gets cloudy or looks or smells off, toss it and make a new batch.

How Long is Homemade Oregano Oil Good For?

Generally, when making oregano oil at home, it is good for as long as the shelf life is for your oil.  This is another reason that I used fractionated coconut oil because it has a longer shelf life once opened.

Ingredients for How to Make Oregano Oil With Dried Oregano

To learn how to make your own oregano oil, you will need:

• 4 ounces dried oregano
• 8 ounces fractionated coconut oil or olive oil
• 8 ounce jar

Keep in mind that these are approximate amounts.  It's important to cover the herbs while they infuse, so you may need a little more oil.

How to Make Oregano Oil With Dried Oregano

Step #1

Place oregano in a mason jar.  I used an 8 ounce jar and filled it about half way.  

Step #2

Pour oil over the dried oregano and stir.  Make sure you completely cover the oregano.  

Step #3

Place a lid on the jar and let sit for 4 to 6 weeks.  Stir or gently shake it every few days to get a good infusion.

Step #4

After 4 to 6 weeks, pour the infused oil and herbs through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth and reserve the oil.  Use the back of a spoon to press the herbs to extract all the oil that you can.  Add the spent herbs to your compost pile or toss.

Your homemade oregano oil is now ready to use.  It's shelf stable, but you can store it in the fridge for a longer shelf life.

Now you know how to make oregano oil with dried oregano!

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