Benefits of Oregano Oil for the Urinary Tract

The urinary tract includes the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder and the urethra. The urinary tract clears bodily waste and balances blood salts and minerals. Maintaining your health requires a properly functioning urinary tract. Oregano oil may help ward off urinary tract illness because it has antimicrobial, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and kidney protective properties, according to a review in the April 2007 "Phototherapy Research."

Antimicrobial Properties

Most urinary tract infections are caused by a bacteria called Escherichia coli. Drug-resistant strains of E-coli are making urinary tract infections harder to treat. Oregano oil has powerful antimicrobial properties and contains carvacrol, the active ingredient that is effective in treating drug resistant E-coli, according to a study in the April 2010 “International Journal of Food Microbiology." The National Kidney and Urological Disease Clearing House reports that a streptococcus infection can cause permanent kidney damage. A study in the 2005 “Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods” reports that oregano oil has germ killing properties that are as strong as Vancomycin, a powerful antibiotic used to fight streptococcus infections.

Kidney Protective

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Diabetes is the leading causes of kidney disease, reports the National Kidney Foundation. According to Dr. Y. Takeda in the January 2008 “Journal of Natural Medicine,” oregano contains glucosides that help control blood sugar. Oregano oil can also help with hypertension, a common cause of kidney failure.

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants protect your cells from the free radical damage that can cause cancer and other illnesses. Oregano oil is a powerful antioxidant, according to the November 2001 “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." Researchers state that oregano has "42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries."

Anti-mutagenic Properties

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Oregano oil contains Rosmarinic acid that can prevent cancer, says Dr. K.A. Scheckel in the November 2008 “Journal of Nutrition." The compounds naringin and luteolin are also found in oregano oil. These flavonoids have been found to kill cancer cells and make these cells more responsive to chemotherapy. You can make oregano tea by placing 1 teaspoon of dried oregano in a cup of boiling water. Steep for one minute, strain and add a bit of honey.