How to Take Oil of Oregano for a Cold

Co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND

Last Updated: June 18, 2024 References

Oregano has natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that have made it a traditional cold remedy for a long time. While research hasn't backed up oregano oil as a medication, lots of people use it for relief. There are lots of ways to take oil of oregano that may soothe a cold: in capsule form, as a topical treatment, breathed in with steam, or taken by mouth with a little bit of water. However, be careful using oregano oil. It can also burn your throat, upset your stomach, and cause issues with digestion by getting rid of good bacteria in the gut. Don't take oil of oregano for longer than a week, and talk to a doctor before combining it with other medications.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Oil of Oregano Orally

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1
Use oil of oregano to treat mild cold symptoms. Symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, sore throat, runny nose, and coughing could all be partially soothed with oil of oregano. If you have more severe symptoms, talk to a doctor before you take oregano to treat your illness.^{[1]
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- Oregano could interfere with some cold medications. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if oregano could make your medication less effective.
2
Talk to your doctor before you start taking oregano oil. Although oil of oregano is generally safe to take for mild cold symptoms, it can interact with other medications and make them less effective. If you have other conditions you take medicine for, or if your cold symptoms start to get worse, it's especially important to talk to a doctor.^{[2]
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- Your doctor will also be able to give you more information about precautions you should take, like lowering your dosage or only taking oregano oil for a couple of days.
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Look for P73 oregano oil that lists carvacrol as the active ingredient. Carvacrol is the ingredient in oregano oil with anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.^{[3]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} P73 oregano oil is 73% wild medicinal oregano and has the highest concentration of carvacrol.^{[4]
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- If you prefer to take oregano oil without tasting it, try oregano oil capsules that also list carvacrol as the active ingredient. You can buy oregano oil capsules at a health food store, drugstore, or online. When buying them online, choose a reputable online store.
4
Mix oregano oil with water for a traditional cold remedy. Use 3-10 drops of oregano oil and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Mix the ingredients in a glass or bowl. Swish it in your mouth and under your tongue for 20-30 seconds, then swallow it. Take 2 doses each time you use it for a total of 6-20 drops of oregano oil.^{[5]
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- Repeat the treatment 4 times per day until your flu symptoms subside.
- Oregano oil on its own can irritate the throat and stomach, so it's important to combine it with water. You can also use olive oil if it helps you swallow the oregano oil with less irritation.
- Be careful when taking oregano orally. Some people might have an allergic reaction.
Variation: Use 1-3 drops of oregano for children if your doctor says it's okay.
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Use a dropper to place 2 drops of the mixture under your tongue. Leave the mixture under your tongue for 3-5 minutes. Then, either flush it out with water or swallow it.^{[6]
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- You can also put 2 drops of oil of oregano in a glass of water and gargle with it, then swallow the water. However, this might be more likely to upset your stomach.
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Take the mixture up to 4 times a day and stop using it after a week. It's safe to take up to 4 doses of oregano oil daily. Space the doses evenly apart and stop using oregano oil after a week.^{[7]
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- If your cold continues to last longer than a week, you probably need to treat it with another medication.
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Avoid using oil of oregano if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It hasn't yet been determined if oil of oregano is safe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It's safest to avoid oregano oil as a cold treatment.^{[8]
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- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you can still try making oregano tea or cooking with oregano, both of which are perfectly safe.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Consuming Oregano Oil in Other Forms

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1
Take an oregano capsule to avoid the unpleasant taste of the oil. Oregano oil on its own has a very strong taste. To avoid tasting it at all, take oregano oil in capsule form. Find oregano capsules with carvacrol as the active ingredient and follow the instructions that come with your capsules to take the right dose, usually 1 pill twice a day.^{[9]
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- Don't take oregano capsules on an empty stomach. Eat first to avoid upsetting your stomach with oregano oil.
- Don't take oil of oregano capsules for longer than 1 week, and talk to your doctor before starting to take oregano.
2
Use oregano essential oil in a diffuser to treat your cold with steam therapy. Inhaling steam can help ease congestion and relieve a runny nose, even if temporarily. Oregano oil added to an essential oil diffuser could help clear the nose and lungs even more.^{[10]
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- If you don't have a diffuser, add a few drops of oregano oil to a pot of boiling water. Breathe in the steam.
- This may be the safest way to take oregano oil.
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Apply oregano topically to help relieve aches and pains. Mix 1 drop of oregano oil for every 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of olive oil. Rub the mixture gently into aching muscles or into the chest.^{[11]
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- Reapply the mixture when aches start to come back.
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Make tea from dried oregano. Using dried oregano won't get you as high of a concentration of carvacrol as pure oregano oil, but it could still potentially provide some relief. Pour 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of boiling hot water over 1 tsp (3 g) of oregano and let it steep for 10 minutes.^{[12]
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- Oregano on its own can be very bitter. Try adding a bit of honey to make it a little sweeter and soothe a sore throat.

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Warnings

Side effects can include burning in the throat or wherever the oil is applied and upset stomach if you take it orally.

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If you are allergic to basil, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, mint, or sage, you may also be allergic to oregano.

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