Some people with psoriasis say that oregano oil helps control their symptoms because of its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Unfortunately, no validated studies support the use of oregano oil as a complementary therapy for psoriasis.

Some of the compounds in oregano do appear to offer benefits. However, without human trials on specific diseases, it’s tough to predict if you’ll have negative side effects. Here’s what you should know before you try oregano oil for psoriasis.

What Is Oregano Oil?

Oregano oil is an essential oil made from the oregano plant. Technically, at least 61 plant species fall under the category of oregano and share similar characteristics. All parts of the oregano plant contain some health-related compounds, and researchers have identified 37 compounds in the oil of the leaf flower — 29 in the root oil and 11 in the stem oil.

Oregano oil is used in medicine, cosmetics, and food preservation. You can find oregano oil in the form of drops or capsules or as an added ingredient in special shampoos, soaps, and lotions. Various health food stores, homeopathic practitioners, and online retailers sell oregano oil.

Generally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers essential oils like oregano oil safe for humans, but that doesn’t mean these oils don’t have significant effects or that everyone benefits from using them. In addition, the FDA doesn’t regulate natural products like these, so you can’t be sure of what a product actually contains or how effective it is when you’re looking for natural oils.

Oregano Oil’s Effects

Oregano contains several bioactive compounds called terpenes. Two of these terpenes, thymol and carvacrol acetate, have strong anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, studies suggest that oregano oil may help protect against inflammatory reactions.

Potential Benefits

It’s believed that oregano oil has positive effects on inflammatory conditions, leading some people to ingest oregano oil as a way to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Others may apply the oil topically in hopes of lowering inflammation and protecting against free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells) in certain areas of the skin.

The underlying problem in psoriasis and many of its common comorbidities (coexisting conditions) involves high inflammation levels. Early research using human skin cells suggests that carvacrol-containing lotions may help fight inflammation.

In addition, people with psoriasis may be more prone to fungal infections, such as candida (a type of yeast). Like many spices and herbs, oregano can help kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. As a result, it’s possible that oregano oil could help ward off fungal overgrowth for people with vulnerable skin, but no research has conclusively supported this hypothesis.

Side Effects and Risks

A small study on eight people with either atopic dermatitis or psoriasis found that lotion containing oregano extract did not cause irritation in sensitive skin. However, oregano oil may not be safe to use for an active skin infection or psoriasis flare-up. When you’re dealing with a flare, it’s best to refer to your dermatologist’s advice and seek proven psoriasis treatments to get your symptoms under control.

Before using oregano oil, you should perform a patch test. Apply a small amount of the product to a patch of clear skin. Observe the effects over the next few days before using the oil more liberally. If your skin becomes itchy and irritated, you may want to try a different brand or consider other types of essential oils.

Oral intake of oregano oil through food or supplements is likely safe when used as directed. The safest way to enjoy oregano is by adding it to recipes and eating it with food. However, if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking lithium (a medication to treat bipolar disorder), you should avoid oregano oil.

Also, keep in mind that essential oils aren’t regulated in the same way as food or prescription medications. The United States has no quality control standards for essential oils, so it can be difficult to know if you’re buying a high-quality product. Be wary of essential oil brands that are significantly cheaper than similar products.

Essential oils degrade over time or when improperly packaged and stored. It’s best to keep them in a dark glass container that’s tightly sealed to prevent oxidation. Write down the date you open the bottle, and try to use essential oils within a year or two of opening to get the best results.

Let your health care professional know when you’re considering a new supplement or topical product, and ask if it’s safe for you based on your medical history and current treatments. If you notice side effects, like an upset stomach or itchy skin, you should stop using oregano oil.

What MyPsoriasisTeam Members Say About Essential Oils

Many members of MyPsoriasisTeam have shared their experiences with essential oils. However, there hasn’t been a lot of conversation focusing on oregano oil.

One member reached out asking for natural remedies to help with nausea from medications. Another suggested, “Try adding ginger aromatherapy essential oils mixed with lavender essential oil, a few drops of basil essential oil, a few drops of peppermint essential oil, and almond carrier oil twice a day. This is a great combination. It worked for me and others.”

In a different thread, another member shared how they use essential oils for scalp psoriasis: “I put oils on my scalp a couple of times a week. I mix my own with a carrier oil like coconut oil, avocado oil, or jojoba oil. Then, I mix in rosemary oil, lavender oil, tea tree, or any oil that is healing to the scalp. You can research ‘essential oils’ online and see what would work for you. I use a dropper and just put a drop or two on the problem areas. Let it sit overnight, then wash it out. I put shampoo in my hair before putting water in my hair. Dry wash your hair and scrub in the shampoo to work the oil into specific areas. Then rinse and condition.”

You can read more member experiences on MyPsoriasisTeam and ask questions to see if anyone else has tried oregano oil.

Remember to always consult your dermatologist before trying any therapies for psoriasis, even if the approach seems harmless. Your doctor knows what will work best for your specific symptoms and can offer advice on how complementary therapies may work alongside your traditional psoriasis treatment plan.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 117,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Have you tried incorporating oregano essential oils as part of your skin disease treatment? What health benefits, if any, did you observe? Post your suggestions in the comments below, or start a conversation on MyPsoriasisTeam.