Oregano Oil for Nail Fungus

oregano

With summer fast approaching, people are starting to wear flip-flops and show off their feet. However, some of us do not have this luxury due to the fact we have toenail fungus or athlete’s foot which makes our feet downright ugly.

But don’t worry you are not alone. There are over 3 million cases of toenail fungus in the United States and estimates show that at least 10% of the population has some form of nail fungus [1].

Since summer is approaching fast, people are wanting to get their feet back to normal as quickly as possible without having to go to the doctor. One of the ways they are doing this is with at-home remedies like essential oils. One of the most popular essential oils being used for a variety of health issues is oregano oil or sometimes called oil of oregano.

In this article, we will go over if oregano oil actually works for fungus, how to use it, and even give you our personal recommendation of products to try.

What is Oregano Oil?

Oregano oil is a powerful, plant-derived essential oil that has significant anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties [2]. It comes from the distillation of medicinal grade oregano and the oil that is extracted is called oil of oregano or oregano oil. It takes over 1,000 pounds of wild oregano to produce just 1 pound of oregano essential oil. Although oregano oil’s uses extend further than its anti-fungal properties and can also be used for the following

  • Athlete’s foot or toenail fungus
  • Common colds
  • Gingivitis
  • Digestive problems
  • Toothaches
  • Earaches

However, for the purpose of this article, we will focus on only its ability to fight athlete’s foot and nail fungus.

One important thing to know about oregano oil is that it contains two powerful compounds called carvacrol and thymol. Both of these compounds have been meticulously studied for their positive health benefits. Studies have shown that these two compounds have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

In fact, carvacrol found in oregano oil is so powerful that it has been the topic of over 800 studied referenced in PubMed, one of the world’s largest databases for scientific evidence-based literature.

Does it Work?

Yes, a study done on 20 patients found that when oregano oil was applied to a nail infected with toenail fungus, it had a 78.5% cure rate [3]. In fact, it also found that the patients of the study group did not have any side effects.

Another study on oregano oil tested the effects of combining essential oils, heat, and salts on nail fungus. It found that this combination of ingredients had inhibitory effects on the main bacterias that cause athlete’s foot. Also, out of the 11 essential oils tested, oregano oil resulted in being the strongest [4].

These two studies show that oregano oil has the capability of curing both athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.

How to Use

There are two primary ways to use oregano oil for your feet and toes if you have a fungal infection which is using it in a foot soak or applying it directly on the infected nail. The foot soak is best for those that suffer from athlete’s foot and nail fungus.

Foot Soak

For this simple foot soak, all you will need is a water basin, oregano oil, water, and Epsom salts. Fill the water basin with enough warm water to submerge both feet and then add 1/2 cup of Epsom salts, and 5-20 drops of oregano oil. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes and then pat dry thoroughly with a towel. Do this once or twice a day for a month or until the fungus subsides.

Tip: You can add additional antifungal essential oils of your choice such as tea tree oil, clove oil, manuka oil, and cinnamon essential oil. For the Epsom salts in this foot soak, we recommend a brand that we have personally used by Purely Northwest which is designed specifically for nail fungus and athlete’s foot.

Topical Application

The easiest way to use oregano oil is to apply it topically to the nails infected with fungus. Most of oregano essential oils come with an eyedropper or application brush. Some oregano oil products are designed to be applied directly to the nail.

However, if you just get oregano oil, we recommend using a carrier oil to reduce the chances of skin irritation and dry out the skin surrounding the nails.

How to Use a Carrier Oil

Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin. Utilizing carrier oils is a good safety practice when using essential oils. A good thing about carrier oils is that they do not affect the potency of essential oils and makes it easier to apply.

Common carrier oils are the following:

  • Coconut oil
  • Jojoba oil
  • Sweet almond oil
  • Apricot kernel oil
  • Argan oil
  • Rosehip oil

We like using jojoba oil but any of the aforementioned carrier oils will work. To use carrier oils properly, you will add a few drops of oregano essential oil to the carrier oil of your choice. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

  • 2.5% dilution: 15 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 3% dilution: 20 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 5% dilution: 30 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 10% dilution: 60 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil

Once you have chosen a dilution percentage that is suitable for you, mix the carrier oil and oregano oil together and apply directly to the infected nails. Be sure to apply the oregano and carrier oil solution to your nails twice a day until the nail fungus subsides.

3 Reasons to Use Oregano Oil for Fungal Infections

When you are considering curing your fungal infection of your nails or skin, it is important to consider whether a few factors like are there side effects, is it well-researched, and what are the costs?

Here are a few reasons to use oregano oil.

Reason #1: Safe to use

One of the first things you will want to ask about any treatment you do for nail fungus is is it safe? Luckily, oregano oil has very few side effects and in fact, the study that involved 20 patients reported zero having any adverse side effects to using oregano oil.

Reason #2: Well-researched

There have been numerous studies on oregano oils’ effects in aromatherapy, for fungus, immune system, and other health conditions. Over 800 scientific-based articles focus on one of the main components of oregano oil. The topic of study in these articles was carvacrol which is found in oregano oil.

Reason #3: Cost-efficient

Lastly, the most important factor is that oregano oil is relatively cheap when compared to other methods of treatment for fungus. While oregano essential oil is not as inexpensive as other home remedies, it is still very affordable. Oregano essential oil can be found online for $25 or less.

Side Effects?

In this article, we discussed using oregano oil topically, not internally. Some of the side effects of using oregano oil topically include:

  • Skin rash
  • Mild skin irritation
  • Dryness
  • Possible allergic reaction if you are allergic

Most of these side effects can be mitigated by using a carrier oil. If any discomfort or irritation occurs, stop using oregano oil and contact your medical doctor.

The Important Thing About Oregano Oil

Honestly, if you are like me then you probably think you don’t have sensitive skin on your toes and feet and don’t see the point of using a carrier oil. Believe me, I thought the same. But, after using essential oils like oregano oil topically on my toes for a few weeks they looked terrible.

My toes were looking terrible because the oregano oil was drying out the surrounding skin of my toes. So, the nails were progressively looking better but the skin was not because I did not dilute the essential oils. After diluting the essential oils, I saw significant improvement in the surrounding skin.

One of the best carrier oils that also moisturizes is coconut oil. So, if you suffer from sensitive skin or notice the carrier oil you are using doesn’t seem to be affecting your skin positively then I recommend trying coconut oil as your carrier oil.

Oregano Oil vs. Tea Tree Oil?

One of the rivalries in the essential oil world is between oregano oil and tea tree oil. But, I believe instead of using one or the other… why not both?

Both of these essential oils can be used in unison to combat nail fungus and we will tell you exactly how. Earlier in this article, we recommended the following dilution ratios:

  • 2.5% dilution: 15 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 3% dilution: 20 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 5% dilution: 30 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 10% dilution: 60 drops essential oil per 6 tablespoons carrier oil

You can easily split the drops of essential oils between oregano oil and tea tree oil since both are potent fungal killers. For example, you could add 10 drops of oregano oil and 10 drops of tea tree oil per 6 tablespoons of carrier oil.

Recommended Products

There are a few products worth checking out if you are considering using oregano oil for your fungal infections. We will recommend some that are the best on the market.

North American Herb & Spice Oreganol – Best All-Around

This product is a best seller. It comes with an eyedropper which makes using it topically very convenient. The company tests the product and its website state it contains a range of 63% to 79% carvacrol and less than 2% thymol. If you are new to essential oils then this is a great option.

View Pricing on Amazon

 

Zane Hellas – Best Runner Up

Zane Hellas Oregano Oil is 100% undiluted with a minimum of 86% carvacrol and less than 2% thymol. So compared to the first option, this one is more potent and stronger. Unfortunately, this one does not come with an eyedropper but it has a top that allows you to pour drop-by-drop. I personally prefer eyedroppers. If you want a very strong oregano oil, I recommend this one.

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Now Essential Oil – Best Organic Oregano Oil

For those that are conscious about organic versus not organic then this is the right product for you. Similar to Zane Hellas, this one does not come with an eyedropper, but instead a top that allows you to pour it and count the drops easily. This product is 100% pure oregano oil with a minimum of 55% carvacrol. So, if you prefer buying organic then this is a great option for you.

View Pricing on Amazon

 

Our Verdict

Hopefully, now, you have a better understanding of whether or not oregano essential oil is a good option for your nail fungus and athlete’s foot. Oregano essential oil is a great natural solution for fungal infections that have been well-studied throughout the years.

If you plan on using any essential oil topically, including oregano essential oil, it is important to use a carrier oil. Remember one of the most important things about any treatment for toenail fungus is to be consistent. Good luck!