Oregano oil is a term used for three different things: a food supplement with oregano extract in an edible oil, a one hundred percent essential oil and capsules. We prepare the first of these, that is, drops of oil for internal use. In this article we will show you how the three forms differ, what our little bottle contains and how it is taken according to the label.
What oregano oil is
When someone says oregano oil, they may mean three different products, and it is this mix-up that causes the most confusion. Under this name we prepare a food supplement: organic olive oil containing an extract of oregano (Origanum vulgare) and the essential oil of the same herb at a concentration of ten percent. In the online shop you will therefore find it in the category Health, Food supplements, Tinctures, not among cosmetics. Most of us know the herb as a spice of Mediterranean cooking, but its extract in an edible oil has long belonged to herbal tradition, and precisely in the form of drops. Our bottle has a volume of 50 ml, a dropper in the cap and is intended for internal use according to the dosage that we quote below exactly from the label. It is neither a medicine nor a cosmetic for the skin, it is a supplement to a varied diet.
What oregano oil contains
The composition is the reason so much is written about this herb. Oregano and its extract contain carvacrol and thymol, two natural phenolic substances that give the herb its typical strong scent and taste, and also rosmarinic acid, a common component of plants of the mint family. This is a description of what is found in the plant, not a claim about what these substances do in the body. Our label declares a daily dose of ten drops, which contains 50 mg of oregano extract and 0.5 mg of oregano essential oil. A recommended daily intake for these ingredients has not been set. You can find an overview of the composition of the genus Origanum in scientific papers on PubMed, and you can look up carvacrol itself as a substance in the PubChem database. The share of individual substances differs according to the origin of the plant and its processing, so the intensity of the scent can vary slightly between batches.
Oregano oil, one hundred percent essential oil and capsules: what is the difference
Almost nobody explains this distinction, yet it is exactly what most people are really trying to work out when they search. Some readers look for drops, some for capsules and some for pure essential oil for a diffuser, and online shops offer them all together under one name. These are in fact three products with a different carrier, a different concentration and a different way of use, so mixing them up is the most common source of misunderstanding and disappointment with a purchase. Our form is a food supplement in organic olive oil with ten percent essential oil, so not the one hundred percent essential oil, which is not taken undiluted. Rather than promise something our bottle does not do, we want to show you the exact difference, so that you can choose what you are really looking for. In the table below you will also find which of the three forms you can buy from us and which you cannot.
| Form | What it is | How it is used | Do we offer it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drops in edible oil (our form) | A food supplement: oregano extract and oregano essential oil in organic olive oil | Internally, according to the dosage on the label | Yes, 50 ml |
| One hundred percent essential oil | Pure, highly concentrated oregano essential oil | Not taken undiluted, in a small amount for example in an aroma diffuser | Not under this name |
| Capsules | A food supplement in a capsule, a different carrier and a different concentration | According to the label of the particular manufacturer | No |
How oregano oil is taken
We do not make up the dosage and we do not recommend any amounts of our own, we simply quote what is written on the label of our bottle. The oil has a strong, spicy taste, so the drops are taken with water or tea and on an empty stomach. Shake the bottle before each use so that the contents mix evenly, as the extract can settle over time. Hold the dropper vertically over the glass so that the drops are the same size. The label counts the daily dose as ten drops and expressly states that you should not exceed it. If you are taking any medicines or other supplements, it is always more sensible to discuss it first with your doctor or pharmacist than to try blindly, because they know your overall picture. Store the bottle in a dry, dark place below 25 °C, out of the reach of small children and out of direct sunlight.
"3 to 5 drops, 2 times a day on an empty stomach, taken with 200 ml of water or tea. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Shake before use." (recommended dosage from the label)
What to read before first use
For food supplements there are rules written directly on the packaging, and they are worth reading before the first drop. Not to frighten you, but so that you are clear about who the product is for and who it is not for. We have summed them up below exactly in the spirit of our label, with no added promises and no omitted sentences. If you find yourself in any of the points, talk first to a professional who knows your state of health.
- A food supplement must not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.
- The product is not intended for children.
- Talk to your doctor about use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Do not exceed the recommended daily dose and shake the bottle before use.
- The product is not intended as prevention or as a medicine for any illness.
Oregano in the kitchen and in the scent of a home
Oregano is above all a spice, and most households know it from the kitchen. Dried, it is added to tomato sauces, pizza, grilled vegetables or marinades, and its strong, slightly peppery scent is one of the typical marks of Mediterranean cooking, going beautifully with basil, thyme and garlic. The same scent makes oregano a popular ingredient beyond the plate too: one hundred percent essential oil is added in a small amount to aroma diffusers, where it creates a fresh herbal atmosphere at home. This is a purely sensory pleasure of scent, a way to slow down for a few minutes, not an effect on health, and that is exactly how we recommend you approach ours too. Dried oregano is best kept in a closed container away from the sun, where it will hold its scent and flavour for months.
Oregano oil 50 ml from Panakeia
Our 50 ml bottle contains organic olive oil, oregano extract and the essential oil of the same herb. A bottle with a dropper will last you for many weeks when dosed from the label. You will find it among the herbal tinctures, that is, where all our drops for internal use live in the online shop. If you are looking for pure essential oil for a diffuser, take a look at the category of essential oils. You can read more about the herb itself in our herbarium under the entry oregano, and our free Advisor will help you choose your care.