As someone who struggles with chronic sinus infections and happens to have a dog susceptible to chronic UTIs, it’s safe to say antibiotics are a must in my home. 

If you read my post, The Truth About Antibiotics, you know 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). 

Unfortunately, doctors prescribe about 47 million antibiotic courses annually for infections that don’t need antibiotics (2). The unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics has resulted in about 1 in 3 people suffering from yeast-related symptoms or conditions like yeast (candida) and candida overgrowth (3). That’s not even mentioning the antibiotic resistance epidemic (4).

So what can we do when we need an antibiotic but are uncomfortable with a prescription? That’s where an ingestible oil infusion like oregano oil extract comes in. Oregano oil, sometimes referred to as oil of oregano, is a robust and ingestible “natural antibiotic” widely used in the natural community. Studies show it’s even effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (5). 

Much like mainstream antibiotics, oregano oil targets both good and bad bacteria, so it is important to take probiotics during an oregano oil course. Probiotics should not be taken simultaneously but at least 1-2 hours after taking oregano oil. Learn more about probiotic strains (and my recommendations) in my post, The Importance of Probiotics.

Oregano’s medicinal properties stem from its phenol, terpene, and terpenoid compounds 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).

To learn more about this plant’s robust medicinal properties, check out my post, Benefits of Oregano.

Before we learn how to make oregano oil, I figured I would share some premade options for those who may not be ready to start creating homemade herbal remedies.

• Gaia Herbs’ Oil of Oregano Capsules is a natural antioxidant source, containing phytochemicals to help support the body’s natural resistance to immunity challenges. Gaia Herbs’ supercritical CO2 extract of oregano volatile oils contains phenols, including carvacrol and thymol. These oils help support the intestines and a healthy immune response. 
• Garden of Life’s Oil of Oregano Drops offers traditional support with modern convenience. These capsules deliver 34mg of organic oregano leaf extract in a base of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and mixed tocopherols from non-GMO sunflower.
• MaryRuth’s Oil of Oregano is concentrated and diluted with organic extra virgin olive oil and has a 60% carvacrol content. These potent herbal drops contain 200 servings per bottle to support overall health and wellness.

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

I do not recommend brands that use oregano essential oil, as they’re unsafe for consumption. Learn more about essential oil safety in my post, How to Practice Essential Oil Safety!

Please note: Some herbalists claim aerial parts mean the product contains essential oil and should not be ingested. This is not true. An aerial component refers to above-ground plant structures, such as stems, leaves, petioles (leafstalks), flowers, fruits, and seeds. Although essential oils can be made from aerial parts, that does not mean aerial parts are automatically essential oils (10).

Now, for the moment you’ve been waiting for, how to make oregano oil. 

How to Make Oregano Oil Extract

There are two oil extraction methods. Depending on how quickly you’d like your infusion, would determine which method you choose. The hot method is the most common oil extraction method because it’s the fastest. This method uses a double-broiler to simmer herbs in oil for 2-3 hours and is my preferred method. 

Then there’s the cold method, made by soaking herbs in oil for 4-6 weeks. Many believe the best method for making cold-infused oils is to keep them on a windowsill for sunlight. They believe sunlight warms the herbs slowly and encourages the release of herbal constituents. Others counteract this, claiming the sunlight/heat will make the oil rancid, and prefer to steep their herbs in a cool, dark place. One of my favorite herbal resources, the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, recommends a sunny spot such as a windowsill, so when I cold-infuse, that’s what I do. 

If you read my post, How to Make an Ingestible Oil Infusion, you know some herbs, including oregano, have a naturally low acid content and can be a source of Clostridium botulinum spores (11). An oxygen-free environment is created when a low-acid food is surrounded by oil. At room temperature, this leads to a botulism breeding ground (12). The safest way to make infused oil safe for ingestion is to use dried ingredients. Dried ingredients have no water content; therefore, botulism cannot grow (13). If you don’t have dried herbs, check out my post, How to Dry Fresh Herbs, to learn how to dehydrate them yourself.

You will need: 

• A glass jar with a metal lid (I use a mason jar)
• Digital kitchen scale (optional)
• 250 grams (1 cup) of dried oregano (I use Starwest Botanicals’ Organic Oregano Leaf)
• 1 cup of oil (I use Madhava Organic Olive Oil)
• Extra-fine mesh strainer 
• Unbleached coffee filter 
• French press (optional, but highly recommended)
• Funnel
• Dark glass bottle for storage (I use an amber glass dropper tincture bottle)
• A little patience (optional)

Step 1: Clean Equipment

Before starting, it is important to thoroughly clean and sanitize everything. You can sterilize handheld equipment by boiling it in water. Simply place the equipment in a large pot and fill it with water. Ensure all equipment is submerged in the water. Then, bring it to a boil and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes. Do not let the water come to a boil first and then add the equipment; this can cause glass equipment to heat too quickly and shatter. When removing the freshly sanitized equipment, I recommend using canning tongs. After sterilizing, ensure all equipment is completely dry before moving on.

Step 2: Measure the Materials

Measure 250 grams (approximately 1 cup) of dried oregano and put them in the glass (mason) jar. If you only have fresh herbs, I recommend drying them before infusing the oil (post coming soon). If the herbs are big or thick, roughly chop them or use a mortar and pestle to break them apart. Pour the 1 cup of oil solvent (avocado, coconut, or olive) over the herbs in the glass (mason) jar. Stir and ensure the herbs are completely covered (add more oil if necessary). 

Step 3: Infuse the Herbs

If you want the oil ready quickly, make a hot infusion by filling a pot with water, placing the jar in the water, and bringing it to a boil (this is known as the double-broiler method). When the water has started to boil, decrease the heat to a low simmer, cover (to hold in the volatile oils), and let infuse for 2-3 hours. If you have time and patience, you can make a cold infusion by placing the lidded jar in a sunny spot, such as a windowsill, to steep for 4-6 weeks and shake daily.

Step 4: Strain & Press

After infusing, strain the mixture through a strainer covered with an unbleached coffee filter into a (measuring) cup, bowl, or French press. I highly recommend using a French press to extract the remaining liquid after straining because herbs can be expensive, and we don’t want our medicine to go to waste. If you did a cold infusion and are picking up at step 4, 4-6 weeks later, be sure the equipment is freshly sterilized, and your hands are washed to avoid contaminating the infusion. 

Step 5: Transfer & Label

Using a funnel to avoid spilling the oregano oil, transfer the contents to an airtight bottle for long-term storage. I highly recommend using a dark-colored glass bottle. I also suggest using a bottle with a dropper for easier dosing. Don’t forget to label your final bottle as “oregano oil” and when it expires (1 year from the extraction’s start date). 

Dosage & Storage 

Take 1-5 drops diluted in water as needed for no more than 10 consecutive days. When stored in a cool, dark place, like a cabinet, oregano oil will last up to one year. However, for best results, use within 6 months. Oil infusions can also be stored in the refrigerator, but solidification will occur. If you notice a rancid smell or visible mold at the top, the product has gone bad.

Additional Notes

Oil of oregano is safe for all ages, but its 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 oregano oil 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. 

Much like mainstream antibiotics, oil of oregano targets both good and bad bacteria, so it is important to take probiotics during an oil of oregano course. Probiotics should not be taken simultaneously but at least 1-2 hours after taking oregano oil. To learn more about probiotics, check out my blog, The Importance of Probiotics.

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