Not just a spice: how to make oregano oil and its health benefits

Oregano, also known as wild marjoram, is one of the most popular and traditional culinary herbs. It’s often added to tomato sauces, meat pâtés, stews, roasts, and soups. Fresh oregano leaves give dishes a tangy, aromatic flavor and make the taste more vibrant and complex.

But oregano isn’t just a kitchen staple. Oregano oil is equally popular — not only for its rich aroma and flavor, but also for its powerful health benefits. The first to make and use oregano oil were the ancient Greeks, who called it «origanos», meaning «joy of the mountains». They used the oil not only in food but also as an antibacterial and disinfectant remedy. It was believed to speed up recovery after illness and help relieve intestinal discomfort. Inhaling oregano oil or its aroma was thought to ease coughing, clear the lungs, and relieve nasal congestion caused by colds or flu.

Oregano oil composition

The valuable properties of oregano oil come from its rich natural composition. It contains:

• Minerals such as potassium, calcium, and iron;
• Vitamins A, C, E, PP, K1 (phylloquinone), and most of the B group;
• Powerful antioxidants like carvacrol, thymol, rosmarinic acid and ascorbic acid;

There are two main types of oregano oil available on the market: essential oregano oil, extracted through steam distillation — used externally for aromatherapy, skincare, and phytotherapy and infused oregano oil, made by steeping oregano leaves in a carrier oil — this version has a spicy taste, a slightly bitter aftertaste, and a strong, herbaceous aroma with peppery notes.

How to make oregano oil at home

Making homemade oregano oil is simple and rewarding. You’ll need fresh or dried oregano leaves and flowers and a base oil such as olive, sunflower, camelina, or any other neutral oil.

Wash and dry the oregano leaves thoroughly with a paper towel. Chop the herbs coarsely and place them in a clean glass jar or bottle (preferably transparent). Pour your chosen base oil over the herbs until they’re completely covered. Shake well and let the mixture infuse for at least 10 days, shaking occasionally.

If you want to speed up the process, you can place the jar in hot water for 15 minutes, stir, and then leave it to infuse. For this quick method, use oils with a high smoke point such as peanut, corn, sunflower, or soybean oil. After the infusion period, strain the oil through cheesecloth, pour it into a dark glass bottle, and store it in the refrigerator.

You can use oregano oil as a base for sauces, a salad dressing, or a seasoning for side dishes.

In herbal medicine, oregano oil is known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It can be used externally to disinfect wounds, cuts, and skin irritations. Thanks to its natural compounds like carvacrol and thymol, it’s often used as a natural remedy to help fight bacterial and fungal infections.

CraftOil: the perfect base for homemade oregano oil

TM CraftOil — a producer of organic, cold-pressed «live» oils — offers a premium range of natural oils perfect for making homemade oregano oil. On the CraftOil website, you can easily find camelina oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, pumpkin seed oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil, among others.

What makes CraftOil truly special is that the company also offers equipment for home oil pressing. The catalog includes branded oil presses (20–75 tons), filter bags, containers, and all necessary accessories. Interested in learning how to press oils at home or want to purchase CraftOil products?
Simply leave a request on the website — and the team will contact you shortly!