Oregano Oil and Parasites
What are parasites?
Parasites are organisms that benefit from harming their hosts. They can either be internal or external parasites. Internal parasites reside outside the body of their host while external parasites reside on the outside.
Humans can host a number of parasites. They can be found on human skin, hair, nails, in their blood, gastrointestinal system and other parts of the body. Common parasites that infect humans are worms and protozoa.
Parasites can be obtained by humans through a number of ways but are usually acquired through eating and drinking contaminated food and beverages, handling infected materials and being in contact with infected persons.
How can oregano oil relieve parasitic infections?
Oregano oil can neutralize parasites like worms, amoeba and protozoa. Carvacrol and thymol, which makes up most of it have anti-parasitic and worm-expellant characteristics which make it effective in fighting parasites (Force, et al., 2000).
The 11 subjects in the study were shown to have the Blastocystis hominis parasite. All of them were then given oregano oil for six weeks to kill the parasites. Results showed that 8 out of the 11 became free of said parasites while the 3 remaining showed a significant reduction in the presence of parasites in their body.
How can oregano oil be used against parasites?
For head lice and scabies, a few drops of oregano oil can be added to a tablespoon of shampoo. This will then be used for washing the hair and scalp. Oregano oil can also be added to liquid soap before its use. Another way of using oregano oil on the hair and scalp is by mixing a few drops of the oregano oil with vegetable oil and then massaging it onto the hair and scalp after shampooing. The oregano and vegetable oil mixture can also be used in other parts of the body infested by parasites.
For internal parasites such as intestinal worms, one to three drops of oregano oil can be mixed with a full glass of water, juice, olive oil or honey and taken up to three times per day to eliminate the parasites in your system. Do not do this if you are pregnant or lactating or being treated for a medical condition. It should also not be given to very young children and the elderly.
To protect clothes against possible parasitic infestation, several drops of oregano oil can be added to the laundry soap to be used.
Oregano oil may be more known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, but you cannot discount the potency of this substance in eliminating both internal and external parasites. Used properly, you can count on it to help you become parasite-free quickly.
Force M., Sparks W.S. and Ronzio R.A. Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo. Phytotherapy Research. 2000; 14(3): 213-214.