What is Oregano oil?
Oregano oil is one of the most potent and powerful essential oils and has been used for centuries in traditional practices. Oregano essential oil is made from the dried shoots and leaves of the plant. The oil extract is derived from steam distillation. When mixed with carrier oil, oregano essential oil can be applied topically to benefit the skin or help heal wounds.
The oregano oil extract is made as a result of one of several extract methods, often using compounds such as alcohol or carbon dioxide. The primary chemical component of Oregano is carvacrol, a phenol that possesses antioxidant properties when ingested. Oregano contains chemicals that might help reduce cough. Oregano also might help with digestion and with fighting against some bacteria and viruses.
People use oregano for wound healing, parasite infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can affect different parts of your body. There are over 100 types of HPV, including strains of HPV that cause warts on your hands, feet, face, etc. About 30 HPV strains can affect your genitals, including your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, and scrotum, as well as your rectum and anus.
HPV that affects your genitals is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that gets passed through skin-to-skin contact. Many people cringe at the thought of STIs, but the majority of genital HPV strains are harmless. This includes the type of HPV that causes genital warts.
Some strains of HPV are high-risk and can lead to cancers, like cervical cancer. Early detection and treatment can usually prevent this from happening. In the United States, around 79 million people have HPV, and doctors diagnose around 14 million new cases every year.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV)
In most cases, your body’s immune system defeats an HPV infection before it creates warts. When warts do appear, they vary in appearance depending on which kind of HPV is involved:
- Genital warts. These appear as flat lesions, small cauliflower-like bumps or tiny stemlike protrusions. In women, genital warts appear mostly on the vulva but can also occur near the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina.
In men, genital warts appear on the penis and scrotum or around the anus. Genital warts rarely cause discomfort or pain, though they may itch or feel tender.
- Common warts. Common warts appear as rough, raised bumps and usually occur on the hands and fingers. In most cases, common warts are simply unsightly, but they can also be painful or susceptible to injury or bleeding.
- Plantar warts. Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that usually appear on the heels or balls of your feet. These warts might cause discomfort.
- Flat warts. Flat warts are flat-topped, slightly raised lesions. They can appear anywhere, but children usually get them on the face and men tend to get them in the beard area. Women tend to get them on the legs.
Can oregano oil kill HPV?
No, although oregano oil is helpful for treating warts as a result of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-killing properties, there is no conclusive evidence that oregano oil kills the Human papillomavirus (HPV). Research conducted in 2011 found that oregano essential oil can inhibit both human and animal viruses in vitro. The researchers noted that this action is likely due to carvacrol, one of the main compounds in oregano oil.
When using this oil for relief of warts symptoms, it must be diluted with a carrier oil before use to avoid skin irritation because oregano essential oil is extremely concentrated. Oregano oil also supports healthy digestion and respiratory function when taken internally
How to use oregano oil for HPV
To use oregano oil for HPV dilute 1 drop with 4 drops of olive oil. Test on a small area of skin on the underside of the arm and apply to the desired area as needed, genital warts can disappear without treatment. Although this will usually happen within 2 years, it can take longer. People can eliminate genital warts much faster with conventional treatment, and treated warts are less likely to return quickly. For a person using oregano oil, it may take as little as a few months for warts to disappear.
If you have an HPV infection, discuss it with your doctor or healthcare provider before using oregano oil.
