Many of you have heard of taking oil of Oregano for colds or the flu. Some people claim they can take it at the first sign of sniffles, and wake up the next morning feeling great. Others take it every day, and claim they’ve been able to avoid the flu all year.
But have you heard of using oil of oregano for migraine? Many people do.
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Just three drops under the tongue at the first sign of a migraine attack, and that’s it.
I’ll warn you, it’s pretty strong. And it’s not just the oregano you put on your pizza (although it’s still oregano – you’ll recognize the smell). This is a kind of oregano known as origanum vulgare.
Two of the key ingredients occurring naturally in this type of oil of oregano are carvacrol and thymol. We don’t know exactly why oregano seems to work for some people, though we do know it has anti-inflammatory properties.
If you want to give it a try, make sure you get a reputable brand with 70% standardized carvacrol. A good option is Source Naturals Oil of Oregano (it’s also available in capsules, but for migraine you want the liquid to drop under your tongue).
As well as being well known as being an anti-inflammatory, oregano is being studied for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, and for such diverse issues as metabolic syndrome, colon cancer and respiratory illness. It is a powerful herb packed with health benefits, and I’m sure we’ll see more studies on it as time goes by.
I have some friends who have found oil of oregano helpful as a migraine killer. Have you tried it? Leave a comment!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi James,
Interesting article, but I’m not sure about this bit:
“And it’s not just the oregano you put on your pizza (although it’s still oregano – you’ll recognize the smell). This is a kind of oregano known as origanum vulgare.”
Origanum vulgare is the Latin name for oregano. vulgare = vulgar = common, so the name just means regular old normal oregano. This is opposed to Origanum majorana which is the Latin name for marjoram. The two plants are closely related. To be honest, it sounds like the manufacturers are trying to impress people with important-sounding names!!
As I understand it, oregano oil is extracted by distilling the dried leaves of the oregano plant. And it’s the dried leaves that you put on your pizza.
So basically this isn’t any special different type of oregano, it’s just a plain and simple herbal extraction. Which means it’s good because it’s all natural!
I’ve never heard of using the oil for migraine before, I might just go get me a bottle.
All the best
Lizzie
As I understand it, I could have put it this way,”It may not be the oregano you put on your pizza”. There are actually many different types of oregano, and often the kinds that are sold are not the kind that have the health benefits you need.
So in this case, I don’t think it’s a matter of manufacturers making it sound fancy (although I’m sure using the latin name helps!). Origanum vulgare is not always the kind used on pizza, and if you’re not careful you can end up buying a variety that has no evidence of migraine fighting properties.
So you can call it “plain and simple”, but the fact of the matter is there are many other varieties than just “plain and simple”, so look for the 70% standardized carvacrol (oops – I saw a typo there in the original post – fixed) origanum vulgare, not just a bottle that says “oregano oil”.
I stand corrected.
Oh no, you don’t need to be corrected. Actually, we’re both right.
How politically correct is that? 
James,
I saw your article on oregano oil aborting migraine attacks so I went right out and bought myself a bottle. What a lifesaver! It didn’t take the effects of migraine away completely but it helped enough that I didn’t have to take any other rescue meds.
Taking the oil is a real trial for me. The first time I dropped some under my tongue and I thought, “oh, that’s not so bad.” Then it hit me. I was running all over the kitchen trying to find something to get it out of my mouth. I put water in my mouth and spit it in the sink. I wadded bread up in my mouth then spit it in the trash. I drank a little milk and that helped a bit. My kids think it’s funny to watch me and keep urging me to take more oregano oil so they can videotape me and send it in to one of those funny video shows.
But within minutes I was feeling better. It’s worth the horrible, burning!
Both of my daughters have tried oregano oil with the same good results. Friends of my children have purchased some to try for their next migraine. We’re spreading the word. It is worth trying.
Thank you for all the research and time you put into this website. You are my go-to guy for migraine information!
Suzie
I wonder if oil of oregano in liquid capsules would work just as well. My gag reflex is seriously not good enough to allow me to try the dropper kind ever again!
I am familiar with another type of oregano, Coleus aromaticus, I have used it for coughs by squeezing the juice out of the leaves. And yes, headaches when my migraine was still in its early stages. This oregano made me sleep…When I don’t have a headache and just plain want to sleep, but can’t, because migraine has destroyed the normal body clock, I take oregano tea…I’ll see if they have this oil at the health store. I bet I’ll also scratch my tongue like Suzie.