Antibiotics are widely used to treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria. While killing harmful bacteria, antibiotics also kill good bacterial strains that we need. Even a single antibiotic dose can lead to detrimental shifts in the composition and diversity of the gut flora (1).
Antibiotics can also lead to long-term changes in the gut flora. After completing an antibiotic dose, most bacteria return after 1–4 weeks, but their numbers usually don’t return to the prior levels (2). Another study discovered that a single dose of antibiotics diminished the diversity of Bacteroides, one of the most dominant bacterial strains, and boosted the number of resistant strains. These consequences remained for up to two years (3)!
According to the CDC, doctors prescribe about 47 million antibiotic courses yearly for infections that don’t need antibiotics (4). The unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics has resulted in about 1 in 3 people suffering from yeast-related symptoms or conditions like yeast and candida overgrowth (5).
So what can we do when we need an antibiotic but are uncomfortable taking a prescription?
That’s where oil of oregano comes in.
Oil of oregano is made by infusing extra virgin olive oil with dried oregano leaves, creating a robust and ingestible “natural antibiotic” widely used in the natural community.
Health Benefits of Oregano
Suppose you read When & Why to Choose Oil of Oregano Vs. Oregano Essential Oil: you’d know oregano’s medicinal properties stem from compounds like phenols, terpenes, and terpenoids, with powerful antioxidant properties (6):
- Carvacrol is the most abundant phenol in oregano and has been shown to stop the growth of several bacteria types (7).
- Thymol is a natural antifungal that supports the immune system and protects against toxins (8).
- Rosmarinic acid is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against free radical damage (9).
Additional benefits of oregano include:
- Rich in antioxidants (10)
- Antibacterial properties (11)
- Antimicrobial properties (12)
- Antiviral properties (13)
- Anti-inflammatory properties (14)
- May prevent and kill certain cancers (15)
Learn more about the benefits of oregano with our oregano herbal profile.
Double-Infused Oil of Oregano
Double-infused oil of oregano is a lengthier process than most oil of oregano recipes. This recipe is designed to be stronger than the average oil of oregano, allowing for a smaller yet more robust dosage. If you’d like to make a regular (single) oil infusion, check out our blog, How to Make an Oil Extraction (With Almost Any Herb).
Please note: I could not find any herbal profiles from herbalists, but I did find a mainstream source expressing known interactions between oregano and antidiabetic, anticoagulant, and antiplatelet drugs (16).
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dried oregano, divided
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 16 oz. mason jar
Directions:
Step 1: Add 1 cup of dried oregano into a mason jar, followed by extra virgin olive oil, and close the lid. Save the second cup of dried oregano for the second infusion.
Step 2: Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
Step 3: Place the mason jar in the water, bring it to a boil, and leave for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the jar, shake it, and keep it in a cool, dark cabinet for 2 weeks. Shake the jar at least once a day.
Step 5: Strain the mixture into another mason jar to prepare for the second infusion.
Step 6: Add the second cup of dried oregano and close the lid.
Step 7: Repeat steps 3 through 5, but strain the mixture into another airtight container (instead of a mason jar). It will yield roughly 4 ounces (I repurposed an old 8-ounce Earthley tincture bottle).
Usage & Storage: 10-20 drops (1/8-1/4 tsp) as needed at the first sign of illness/infection. When stored in a cool, dark place, such as a cabinet, it lasts 6-12 months. If you notice a rancid smell or visible mold at the top, it has gone bad.
Oil of oregano is safe for all ages. Safety while pregnant and breastfeeding is unknown. Most sources who caution against oil of oregano usage confuse it with oregano essential oil, which is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Unfortunately, no scientific literature has studied oil of oregano during these stages of life. From a personal perspective, I would use it over prescription antibiotics. Still, I’d recommend further researching this topic, gathering all the data, and making an informed decision based on what you find.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and nothing in this post is intended to diagnose, treat, or cure anything. If you have questions, please do your own research or seek advice from a health professional.
Thank you so much for this recipe! I do have a question: when you say “Place the mason jar in the water, boil it, and leave for 10 minutes”, do you mean let the water continue boiling or turn the heat off and let the jar SIT in the water for 10 minutes?
Thank you.
You’re so very welcome. In my experience, when putting the mason jar in the water, it stops boiling temporarily. So I wait for the water to start boiling again before I start the ten-minute timer.
Thanks for this! My grandma would always give us oil of oregano when we were sick.
Would you use this on a small child? Say 2 years old? If so, what dosage? If not, I’ve heard under the feet?
You’re so very welcome. For a 2-year-old, I’d recommend starting with 1-2 drops.
Can I use fresh oregano from my plant?
Yes you can, but you would need to use at least three times more fresh oregano than you would dry.
Is it still effective if I didn’t boil it? I did every step but that one.
Yes it is, but I would recommend letting it sit in a cool dark place for a few weeks to infuse. 🙂
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
Thank you so much for this great question. Oil of oregano is safe for all ages. Safety while pregnant and breastfeeding is unknown. Most sources who caution against oil of oregano usage confuse it with oregano essential oil, which is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Unfortunately, there is no scientific literature that has studied oil of oregano during these stages of life. From a personal perspective, I would use it over prescription antibiotics, but I’d recommend further researching this topic, gathering all the data, and making an informed decision based on what you find. 🙂
Hi, I am on my second infusion but I’m not sure how to use this when it’s done. Do we take daily, or only when we feel like we are getting sick? Hiw much do we take? Thank you!
Thank you so much for this question, Diane and I’m happy to hear you’re halfway done. I typically take oil of oregano at the first sign of illness/infection. About 10-20 drops (1/8-1/4 tsp) as needed.