7 Ways to Take Oregano Oil Orally

This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Criglow. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.

There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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You may have heard about the potential medical benefits of taking oregano oil. This doesn’t necessarily mean ingesting oregano oil is a solid treatment, though. There are a few important questions you should consider before trying out the natural remedy, and luckily this article has the answers! Read on for more information about the safety and effectiveness of taking oregano oil orally.

Steps

Is it safe to swallow oregano oil?

1. 1It’s potentially safe to ingest oregano oil for short periods of time. There isn’t enough scientific evidence to verify the substance as 100% safe, and not enough studies have been done to determine the safety of long-term use.[1] X Research source If you’re at all concerned about the potential side effects, you should use another treatment instead.[2] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
   • Side effects include stomach cramps, pregnancy complications, and an increased risk of bleeding if you’ve recently had surgery.
2. 2It’s unsafe to ingest oregano oil if you’re pregnant. Some evidence shows that it could lead to a potential miscarriage. If you’re pregnant, stay safe and don’t ingest oregano oil. You should also avoid swallowing it if you’re currently breastfeeding.[3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
3. 3It’s not safe to ingest oregano oil if you have certain medical conditions. If you suffer from bleeding disorders, ingesting the oil can make the risk of bleeding worse. You should also avoid consuming oregano oil if you have diabetes, as it can lower blood sugar levels.[4] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
   • Avoid swallowing oregano oil if you’re allergic to plants in the Lamiaceae family, like basil, lavender, mint, and sage. It could cause a potential allergic reaction.

Can oregano oil treat bacterial infections?

1. Some studies indicate it can be used to treat bacterial infections. There isn’t enough medical evidence to verify it as an effective treatment, though. So far each study has stated that more evidence is needed to really verify oregano oil as a strong treatment.[5] X Research source Though more evidence is needed (and it’s best to talk to your doctor first), medical experts advise taking 100 to 200mg 2 times a day to treat a bacterial infection. Take the oil either as a liquid or as a pill.[6] X Research source If you have a bacterial infection, like a UTI or strep throat, visit your doctor. They will prescribe the treatment you need.[7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • A study published in FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology found that oregano oil was effective when used alone and in combination with antibiotics to fight E. Coli.[8] X Research source
   • Another study featured in the National Library of Medicine suggests that oregano oil can be used to fight bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics.[9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
   • Antibiotics are still considered a more effective method of treatment at this time.[10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

Does oregano oil effectively treat stomach parasites?

1. Early research suggests that it can treat and kill stomach parasites. More research is needed to confirm this, however. Research published by the Biotics Research Corporation shows that taking 200mg of oregano oil 3 times a day for 6 weeks can kill some parasites.[11] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Though the results are promising, there’s still not enough evidence to definitively say that ingesting oregano oil will kill a stomach parasite. Visit your doctor if you think you may have a parasite, and follow their treatment instructions.
   • Though this study used a specific dosage, there isn’t enough medical evidence to suggest this dosage as a verified, safe amount. Stay on the safe side and talk to your doctor before trying out this method.

Can oregano oil treat sinus infections?

1. Though it’s possible, there’s not enough medical evidence to say. Oregano oil contains antibacterial, anti-fungal properties. These could potentially be used to treat a sinus infection, but there aren’t a lot of available medical studies to verify this. If you have a sinus infection, visit your doctor to receive proper medical treatment.[12] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • Some use oregano oil vapors to ease congestion brought on by a sinus infection. Though this isn’t medically verified, it may bring some relief.[13] X Research source Use a diffuser and follow the device’s instructions for the correct ratio of oil to water.[14] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • Sinus infections will usually go away on their own. Take OTC pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce symptoms. You can also take OTC decongestants in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, or liquids.[15] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • If your sinus infection is persistent, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.[16] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

What is the suggested dosage for oregano oil?

1. There isn’t enough medical evidence to suggest a proper dosage. Oregano oil’s effectiveness and safety are still in the early research stages. Ask your doctor before using oregano oil to treat a medical condition, and don’t take it if they tell you not to. No matter what, never exceed the dosage your doctor recommends or the suggestion on the product label.[17] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
   • Just because oregano oil is a natural product doesn’t mean it’s safe! Essential oils can be toxic in high doses, and can lead to some pretty uncomfortable side effects like stomach cramps or worse if you have too much.[18] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

Does oregano oil interact with any medications?

1. 1Oregano oil interacts poorly with medications for diabetes. Ingesting oregano oil can lower your blood sugar. Taking it in combination with diabetes medication may cause your blood sugar levels to go too low. Talk to your doctor before ingesting oregano oil if you have diabetes. They may adjust your diabetes medication dosage or tell you not to take oregano oil.[19] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
2. 2The oil may interact negatively with blood clotting medication. Oregano oil has the potential to increase bleeding and bruising if you take it along with medications like aspirin, dalteparin, and warfarin.[20] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Get the okay from your doctor before you try oregano oil if you’re currently taking any blood clotting medications.

What treatments can I use instead of oregano oil?

1. 1Talk to your doctor about taking antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. Examples of these infections include urinary tract infections, strep throat, and any other medical conditions caused by harmful or overgrown bacteria. If you think you may have a bacterial infection, make an appointment with your doctor. They will give you an examination and prescribe you the medication you need.[21] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • Symptoms of a UTI include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, cloudy urine, and a strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away.[22] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • Symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, swollen glands on your neck, and pain when swallowing.[23] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
2. 2Talk to your doctor about whether you need treatment for a stomach parasite. Often times stomach parasites will go away on their own. If you think you may have one, visit your doctor to see if you need treatment. They may prescribe antibiotics in extreme cases, or let the condition remedy itself on its own.[24] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • Symptoms of a stomach parasite include diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach cramps.[25] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
3. 3Visit your doctor if your sinus infection persists. Often times sinus infections can be treated at home. Get plenty of rest (at least 8-10 hours per night), stay hydrated, and take OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to ease symptoms.[26] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If your sinus infection lasts longer than 10 days or continues to get worse, visit your doctor. They may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.[27] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
   • Sinus infection symptoms include congestion, yellow or green discharge from the nose and in the back of your throat, headache, fatigue, and fever.

Expert Q&A

References

1. ↑ https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=111715
2. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
3. ↑ https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=111715
4. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
5. ↑ https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article/53/2/190/495620
6. ↑ https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=111715
7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
8. ↑ https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article/53/2/190/495620
9. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23484421/

1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
2. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/expert-answers/oil-of-oregano/faq-20058486
4. ↑ https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/nutrition/how-to-take-oregano-oil/
5. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them/
6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351677
7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351677
8. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
10. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
11. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/644.html
12. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/expert-answers/infectious-disease/faq-20058098
13. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
14. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4602-strep-throat
15. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15238-giardiasis
16. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15238-giardiasis
17. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-sinusitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351677
18. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661

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Reader Success Stories

• “I have taken soft gel caplets oil of oregano for 6 months 230/mg daily. I just read you shouldn’t take them for longer than 4 weeks. I will cease for awhile. However, I didn’t experience any negative side effects.”…” more