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Enjoy potent health benefits from an easy home remedy
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Making your own oregano oil lets you take advantage of this natural home remedy's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it’s easy to make with just a few simple ingredients! In this article, we'll show you exactly how to make oregano oil and use it to improve your health, including tips from Master Herbalist and Certified Aromatherapist Julie Brow-Polanco. Read on to learn more!
How do you make oil of oregano?
- Mix equal parts chopped oregano and olive oil in a glass jar.
- Boil a pot of water on high heat.
- When the water reaches a rolling boil, turn off the heat.
- Seal the jar of oil and oregano and place it in the hot water for 10 minutes.
- Remove the jar from the water and give the contents a good shake.
- Place the still-sealed jar in a cool, dry place.
- Shake the jar once daily for 2 weeks, then it’s ready to use.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Making Oregano Oil
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Combine equal parts of fresh chopped or dried oregano and oil in a jar. When making oregano oil, the only ingredients you need are oregano and a plant-based carrier oil. Measure out ½ cup (24 g) of oregano and ½ cup (120 mL) of oil. Mix the oil and oregano in a sealable, sterilized glass jar so the oil just covers the oregano. [1] X Research source
- Fresh or dried oregano are both acceptable to use. If you grow oregano in your garden, making oregano oil is a great way to use extra plants at the end of the season.
- Extra-virgin olive oil is the most common carrier for oregano oil, but any food-grade plant-based oil – like coconut oil or avocado oil – works just fine.
- When using fresh oregano, strip the leaves off the stem and rinse them. Then chop or crush them in a mortar and pestle to release the oils before using. [2] X Research source
- This process makes an oregano oil infusion which is a type of extract that is less concentrated and safer to use on skin than essential oil. [3] X Research source
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Place the sealed jar in a pot of just boiled water and wait 10-15 minutes. Put just enough water to cover the jar into a cooking pot, but don’t put the jar in the pot yet. Place the pot of water on the stove on high heat and bring the water to a boil . Turn off the burner and place the jar in the hot water for 10-15 minutes. [4] X Research source
- Heating the mixture allows the oregano to release its natural oils into the carrier oil.
- After 10-15 minutes, remove the jar from the hot water.
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Shake the jar and place it in a sunny window for 2 weeks. This helps the oregano oil better infuse into the carrier oil, making your herbal remedy more potent. Shake the jar once a day to a few times a week. [5] X Research source
- Alternatively, skip heating the jar and place it directly in a sunny window to cold-process the oil.
- During the 2-week infusion period, the olive oil will turn a darker green. This is how you know the oregano oil is ready to use.
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Strain the oil and return it to the glass jar for storage. Place your kitchen strainer over a second container and pour the oregano oil through the mesh. Use the back of a spoon to press on the oregano leaves to push as much of the infused oil through the strainer as possible. Return the oil to the sealable glass jar or use a funnel to pour it into a glass eyedropper bottle . [6] X Research source
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Tips
- Ensure proper ventilation in your workspace to prevent inhaling the strong vaporsThanks
- Wear gloves to protect your skin from potential irritation from undiluted oregano oil.Thanks
- When ingesting oregano oil, start with a small dose and gradually increase the amount if necessary.Thanks
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Warnings
- Swallowing too much oil or oregano can cause stomach upset.Thanks
- If you’re allergic to plants like basil, mint, and sage, avoid taking oregano oil.Thanks
- Don’t give oregano oil to children without consulting your pediatrician.Thanks
- Oregano oil may interact with diabetes medications and copper, iron, or zinc supplements.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Carrier oil of your choice (olive oil, coconut oil , avocado oil , etc.)
- Fresh or dried oregano
- Sealable glass jar
- Cooking pot
- Kitchen strainer
- Glass eyedropper bottle (optional)
- Funnel (optional)
- Mortar and pestle (optional)
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/CZnyQfU3l5o?t=142
- ↑ https://youtu.be/CZnyQfU3l5o?t=85
- ↑ https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/supplements-herbs/oregano-oil-benefits
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Ws_O0Xu_zHM?t=273
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Ws_O0Xu_zHM?t=288
- ↑ https://youtu.be/zoyARKifkyw?t=152
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182053/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/staphylococcus-aureus/about/index.html
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23484421/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4944358/
- ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/antioxidants-fact-sheet
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214008517300068?via%3Dihub
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590501/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21447440/
- ↑ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206894
- ↑ https://cancercenterforhealing.com/oil-of-oregano-for-strep-throat/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6182053/
- ↑ https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/supplements-herbs/oregano-oil-benefits
- ↑ https://www.health.com/health-benefits-of-oil-of-oregano-7508588
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6423461/
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014489422001862
- ↑ https://www.health.com/health-benefits-of-oil-of-oregano-7508588
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6508890/
- ↑ https://discover.texasrealfood.com/food-shelf-life/oregano-oil
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