Does Oregano Oil Really Work for Colds?

April 15, 2025

Remember all those times you woke up with a cold that suddenly appeared overnight out of nowhere? The dull throbbing of your head and the pressure behind the eyes that is so intense that you don't want to do anything . Oh, and your nose which really can’t decide ; with one side being stuffed tighter than a subway at a rush hour and the other side leaking like a faulty faucet. It’s a constant battle and soon tissues pile up on the nightstand like fallen soldiers, soaked and crumpled. You feel irritated and tired, so desperate for some relief , you apply a vapour rub, sip some hot tea and try out different home remedies . It works at the end of course, but just for temporary relief.

If you’re looking for a long term solution, try using essential oils for the cold. Simple and effective, essential oils have been used since ancient times to alleviate congestion, cold and other respiratory discomforts. Essential oils work as expectorants to clear mucus from your airway for easier breathing .

Now you may be wondering, which essential oils are good for common cold?

There are many essential oils good for a cold like eucalyptus, tea tree and lavender oils. But in this post, we’ll be focusing on oregano essential oil and how it is used to treat respiratory issues.

What is oregano oil?

Like the name suggests, oregano oil is the oil made from the oregano plant. (Yes, the same oregano that you sprinkle on your pizza.) Oregano oil is of two types: The first is oregano essential oil where the manufacturers use heat to extract oil from the leaves and the shoots of the plant. It is highly concentrated and potent.

The second oil is called the oil of oregano. Extracted from the leaves of the oregano plant, it is less concentrated. It can be consumed in the form of capsules or liquid.

Unlike the latter, oregano essential oil is not safe to consume and should be used only in aromatherapy or for topical application.

Now that you’ve understood the difference between oregano essential oil and oil of oregano, let’s look at oregano oil's benefits for cold.

How does oil of oregano help with colds?

By now we've gotten an inkling that oil of oregano can help with colds. We know the outer effects of consuming oil of oregano . We’re aware that using oregano can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in the respiratory tract. We also know that it also shows antispasmodic effects on colds and other viral infections.

But what about the inner workings? What is the science behind it?

Some in-lab studies show that the active compounds, carvacrol and thymol fight off viruses like rhinovirus, some strains of influenza .Yet, it remains unclear whether the blend would actually kill a cold or flu virus in a person.

As a testament to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it disrupts the bacterial membranes, making it difficult for pathogens to survive. This helps prevent secondary bacterial infections like sinusitis or bronchitis.

While existing research has given us these valuable insights, further research is essential to validate and expand upon these results.

If you want to use oil of oregano safely, it is available in pharmacies in the form of a capsule . Or you can simply add 2-3 oil of oregano in drops in the water and drink.

How to use oregano essential oil for cold?

Whether you use oregano essential oil for aromatherapy or rub it onto your skin , always remember the golden rule- dilution comes first. Do a patch test prior to know about any potential allergic reaction. NEVER swallow oregano essential oil as it can prove to be fatal.

Here are some of the creative ways you can fight stubborn colds and cough.

Direct Inhalation: Drop a few drops of oregano essential oil on your handkerchief or dip a cotton ball in diluted essential oil and keep it near you. Or take a steam by mixing a few drops of clary sage oil with avocado oil in filtered water.
In Diffusers: Add 3-4 drops of diluted oregano essential oil along for instant relief from congestion.
Warm compression: A warm compression can significantly reduce the heavy feeling of congestion. Infuse a few drops of oregano essential oil in a bowl of warm water. Dip and wipe the cotton cloth over the brow and on the chest.
Fragrant mist: Just mix a few drops of oregano essential oil with 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil in 30 ml of distilled water. Your handmade, bacteria fighting mist is all set for use.
Bath oil : Add a small amount of oregano essential oil in warm bath water and take a bath.

Risks

Everything does not suit everyone, and that's perfectly okay. We have explained the potential risks and side effects of oregano oils below.

Allergies - If you’re allergic to plants in the Lamiaceae family like thyme , chances are that you’re also allergic to oregano. In that case, you should avoid the use of oregano oil.
Bleeding- According to a study, it was found that oregano may meddle with the clumping ability of platelets, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding. Therefore it is advisable to consume oregano before a surgery. Similarly, people who take blood thinning or anticoagulant medications like warfarin,heparin, etc should avoid taking oregano oil.
Changes to blood sugar- Oregano oil may possess properties to help lower blood sugar level. People with low blood sugar levels or those who take diabetes medication should consult a medical practitioner before using oil of oregano.

Best essential oils for cold virus

Looking to harness the power of essential oils to combat cold, seasonal allergies and other respiratory infections ? The options are plenty, with essential oils that rival the antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of oregano essential oil.

Check out Aromachology’s carefully curated list of 10 Best Essential oils for Congestion to add to your collection.

Here's a list of best essential oils for cold virus for a quick reference.

Tea tree essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil
Thyme essential oil
Turmeric essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Lemon essential oil
Juniper berry essential oil
Myrrh essential oil
Ginger root essential oil
Clove bud essential oil

Conclusion

Using oregano oil for cold virus is a long-term solution, one that comes with additional health benefits. We have outlined the different ways you can use oregano oil for cold depending on your and your loved one’s preferences. While oil of oregano for cold can be taken in the form of readily available capsules, oregano essential oil is used for aromatherapy, and can be put in diffusers and mist to give you instant relief from nasty colds and congestion. If you and your family are looking for respite, we recommend making oregano oil a part of your routine!