How to Make Oil of Oregano Tincture

Learn how to make an oregano tincture with vodka and oregano tincture benefits.  This is an herbal remedy that is commonly used to relieve the symptoms of cough, cold, and other ailments.  This oil of oregano tincture is easy to make, but it takes a few weeks to prep.

Oregano Tincture Recipe

Last week, posted how to make oil of oregano, which is an oil and herb infusion. Both oil of oregano and this oregano oil tincture are made in a similar manner and used in a similar manner.

Oregano tincture vs oil is personal preference, and it depends on how you take it.  I prefer the tincture when taking it plain or in tea.

However, not everyone wants to use an oregano tincture with vodka.  If you don't drink alcohol or want to give it to young children, then the oil is probably a better option for you.

Before we get into what it is and how to use it, I want to stress that this is not oregano essential oil.  I will never advocate taking any essential oil internally.  

Oregano essential oil is a potent oil, so do not substitute the essential oil for the dried herb.

For more remedies to support your body, check out these posts:

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

I keep track of my natural recipes in a binder.  I have a printable pack available to create your own Recipes for a Natural Home binder with recipe pages, inserts, and a cover for your binder.

If you want to learn more about herbs and how to use them for your family, I recommend The Herbal Academy's Courses.  They have several courses from beginner to advanced.

What is Oil of Oregano Tincture?

A tincture is an herbal extract that's made by infusing herbs, berries, roots, or bark of certain plants in vinegar or alcohol.  

The vinegar or alcohol pulls out the active ingredients from the herbs or other matter and gives the liquid the benefits of the herb.

An oregano oil tincture is made in a similar fashion to making an herbal infused oil like this calendula infused oil.  

I used vodka for my oregano tincture recipe.  You could use vinegar, but I think it wouldn't taste very good.  You can learn more about vinegar infusions in my how to make dandelion vinegar post.

What is an Oregano Tincture Good For?

The infusion gives the alcohol the active ingredients of the herb, so making oregano tincture has the benefits of oregano in a concentrated bottle of infused alcohol.

Oregano has the following benefits to support your body:

• Oregano is high in antioxidants.
• The carvacrol in oregano has been shown to prohibit bacteria and yeast from growing (source).
• Thymol in oregano is naturally antifungal (source). 
• Rosmarinic acid is an antioxidant that can protect your body from damage from free radicals (source). 
• Oregano is high in vitamin C.
• Oregano also contains phosphorus, folate, copper, calcium, and potassium. 

Because of these active compounds, oil of oregano tincture is considered nature's antibiotic.  It can protect against certain types of bacteria, including those that can cause respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections (source, source). 

Oregano is also said to improve the good HDL cholesterol and lower the bad LDL cholesterol (source). 

Although we are making oregano tincture and not using the essential oil, I did want to share a study in which the essential oil was said to be effective against certain types of yeast.  This can help both women and yeast that can affect the mouth.

A study on oregano essential oil and pigs showed that oregano may reduce GI discomfort related to leaky gut or a parasite.  Oregano may protect against leaky gut.

When used topically, oregano oil tincture may reduce inflammation (source). 

Oregano Tincture vs Oil

The main difference is that an oregano tincture recipe is made with alcohol and oil of oregano is infused in an oil.

Both can be dropped in your mouth or used topically for minor skin irritations.  

I prefer to use the oil for topical reasons because the oil is moisturizing for your skin.  Alcohol can dry out your skin.

I prefer an oregano tincture with vodka to take orally.  The oil is, well, oily.  It's hard to hide even in juice or tea.

However, I understand that some people don't want to take a tincture with alcohol.  I would recommend making oil of oregano or using oregano oil capsules.  

How Do You Use Oil of Oregano Tincture?

The typical oregano tincture dose is 1 to 2 droppers full up to three times a day.  This is for a 1 ounce bottle with a dropper.

What Do You Use Oregano Tincture For?

Here are several ways to use this to get oregano tincture benefits:

• Take during cold and flu season to support your immune system.
• Take at the first sign of a cold or cough.
• Use for GI upset or diarrhea.
• Use topically for fungal infections or minor skin problems.  Do not use on open skin.
• Use as a natural bug repellent.  
• Use to relieve seasonal allergy symptoms.

You can use an oregano tincture recipe daily or as needed.  If you take it daily, it's recommended that you take it for no more than three weeks and then take a week off before resuming.

Oil of Oregano Tincture Precautions

I like oregano tincture benefits, but not everyone should take this herbal remedy.

Do not use or talk to your doctor before using if you fall under one of the following categories:

• Pregnant
• Nursing
• Take lithium
• Take blood pressure medications or medications for heart disease
• Take blood thinners
• Take medication for diabetes

Do not take an oregano tincture if you are allergic to oregano, sage, thyme, mint, hyssop, marjoram, lavender, or basil.

Can You Make Oregano Tincture With Dried Oregano?

I always recommend using a dried herb to make a tincture or oil infusion.  Fresh herbs can have water in them.  The water can grow mold or yeast while infusing since you need a long infusion time.

Although alcohol kills germs, I'd rather not risk it.  

You can get dried oregano from Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals, or Grassroot Herb Supply.

What is the Best Alcohol to Use for Tincture?

I use vodka to make my oregano tincture recipe.  It's clear and doesn't have a flavor.  You can also use gin or rum if desired.

I buy a mid grade vodka for making tinctures and infusions.  You don't need top of the line, but you want an 80 proof for best results.

Very cheap vodka has a lower proof, so it won't have as much alcohol to extract the active ingredients from the plant.

You can use the same vodka to make vanilla extract from vanilla beans or Instant Pot vanilla extract.

How Long is an Oregano Tincture Good For?

Technically, this oregano tincture with vodka is good indefinitely since germs can't grow in 80 proof vodka.  

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

What You Need to Make Oregano Tincture Recipe

• 4 ounces dried oregano
• 8 ounce vodka or other 80 proof alcohol
• 8 ounce mason jar
• 1 ounce dropper bottle

How Do You Make an Oregano Tincture?

Step #1

Place the dried oregano in a mason jar.  Fill it about half way full.

Step #2

Fill the jar with vodka.  Stir gently to make sure the vodka gets to the bottom of the jar.

Step #3

Cover and let sit for 6 to 8 weeks.  Shake gently every few days to help the alcohol and herbs infuse.

Step #4

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or through cheesecloth.  Reserve the liquid and discard the spent herbs.

Step #5

Place the oregano tincture in a 1 ounce bottle with a dropper.  Use 1-2 droppers as needed.

Now you know how to make an oregano tincture recipe and oregano tincture benefits!

For more herbal products, check out my DIY infusion kits.

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