Oregano essential oil is also packed with constituents that make it a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and immune stimulating oil.  The best methods for using oregano essential oil are to ingest it (Therapeutic, Food Grade  Oregano only) in gel capsules or to apply it to the skin.  Inner Defense is a Young Living supplement that contains 4 different species of oregano plus powerful thyme and Thieves oil for powerful defense against infections and viruses.  Young Living’s Oregano essential oil is 4 times more powerful than penicillin.    Because of this, when ingested in larger doses, it is important to follow up the use of oregano oil with a probiotic like Life 5 to keep intestinal flora in balance.  Ideally, take a probiotic 8-10 hours after the oregano oil and never at the same time since large amounts of oregano oil will kill the good bacteria in your gut.  It is also important not to overuse oregano oil (large amounts in a gel capsule), saving it’s strength for when your system really needs support.  It is always best to support your body’s natural defenses with gentler oils like lemon first and save the potent ones for when you really need them.  Consult an Essential Oil Desk Reference for specific usage of oregano essential oil.

Oregano oil is considered a “hot” oil and can be irritating if applied directly on the skin.  It should always be diluted with a carrier oil like Young Living’s V-6 vegetable oil.  Oregano oil is one of 9 single and oil blends used in the Raindrop Technique for applying essential oils along the spinal column to boost your immune system.  It is also a strong smelling oil, so applying it to the soles of the feet or combining it with the Raindrop Oils can make the scent less conspicuous.  I would not recommend diffusing oregano oil as it can irritate the respiratory tract and will penetrate fabrics and upholstery leaving an oregano scent.   If you want to kill airborne bacteria, the Thieves blend accomplishes this with a more neutral aroma of cinnamon and cloves, also highly anti-bacterial and anti-viral.

Oregano is an essential oil that has been around for thousands of years, it is powerful weapon against some serious strains of bacteria and definitely one worth having on hand during cold and flu season.  Oregano essential oil is potent and even 1 drop can boost the immune system.  When you use a food grade essential oil, you can add it to your recipes to stay healthy this winter.  Small amounts added into foods will keep you healthy this season without the effects of an antibiotic that disrupts intestinal flora.   Watch for my next post in a few days, a savory soup for Fall using oregano oil.

# 3605 Oregano oil 15 ml              Whsl.   $22.75       Retail   $36.51

# 3295 Inner Defense Softgels   Whsl.  $24.75    Retail  $32.57

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This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and diseases.  For medical conditions consult with your medical doctor.

J Food Protection  2002 Oct;65(10): 1545-60

Therapeutic Grade essential oils have been researched for decades on their antimicrobial effects against many bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Oregano,   Clove, cinnamon and Thyme have shown the most powerful effects against these bacteria, with research proving their effectiveness against at least 23 different bacteria including Streptococcous and Staphylococcus.  Even Pharmaceutical manufacturers are seeing the potential of essential oils and are combining them with traditional antibiotics to improve the effectiveness of their products.  Natural essential oils are not patentable, but a pharmaceutical antibiotic combined with a natural essential oil is. One company is experimenting with an edible, apple-based produce cover that  includes cinnamon, allspice and clove essential oils.

Here are ways you can incorporate essential oil use into your food preparation routines:

1. Always wash hands thoroughly with friction and warm water, making sure to completely rinse hands.  For more effectiveness, soaps with essential oils of clove, cinnamon and rosemary are naturally antibacterial.   Avoid hand soap with hormone disrupting Triclosan.
2. Wash produce thoroughly with castille soap and 2-3 drops of essential oils of clove or thyme, or add the essential oils to your produce wash.
3. Wash produce with Thieves Household cleaner or Thieves handsoap.  Work up a lather onto the outside of the produce, allow to sit a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.
4. Only put clean produce on your cutting boards and counters.  Keep unwashed produce in grocery bags until you can wash it thoroughly and avoid contaminating counters.

Thieves essential oil is a Young Living blend of essential oils of clove, cinnamon, rosemary and lemon.  This powerful combination of essential oils has been researched to kill many bacteria including airborne mold spores (Aspergillus) within 12 minutes of diffusing.  Bacteria can mutate easily against man-made antibiotics and chemical antibacterial products, they are less hardy against essential oils that vary slightly from season to season.  When you choose products for your hand sanitizing and food purity, select food-grade essential oils that are safe for skin contact and potent enough to kill harmful bacteria.