Oil of oregano is a staple in our house, actually one of the very first remedies I ever made. I like to keep it in small batches since it's potent and we don't reach for it all that often.
Oil of oregano was my gateway into natural remedies years ago, and it is still something I make sure to keep in our medicine cabinet. Because it is so concentrated, a tiny batch lasts us a long time. We just dilute a few drops and rub it on the bottoms of our feet at the very first sign of feeling under the weather.
My favorite way to use it is diluted, rubbed onto the bottoms of the feet when I'm feeling sick. This tip was originally shared with us years ago by a naturopath friend.
What do you need?
1 part dried organic oregano
2 parts cold-pressed oil (I prefer olive oil)
How do you make it?
Combine the oregano and oil in a jar and secure the lid.
Place the jar in a saucepan with a few inches of water, enough to come just under the lid, and simmer lightly for 10 to 15 minutes.
Allow to cool, then set on a windowsill for 4 weeks, shaking every few days.
After 4 weeks, strain and store in a cool, dark place.
A gentle reminder: this is never a replacement for medical care, but a nice complementary folk remedy to have on hand.
Any tips before you start?
Always dilute before applying to skin, oil of oregano is very potent on its own. Shaking the jar regularly during the infusion helps everything steep evenly. Store the strained oil somewhere cool and dark to help preserve its potency.
If slow, homemade remedies are your thing, I've also written about the herbal oil I make for sore muscles, another one that takes a little patience but is worth having on hand.
Thanks for being here, friends!