The safety and well-being of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby is the utmost priority for any expecting mother and for those around her. During pregnancy, there are many dietary and lifestyle choices that need to be made with the utmost care, and one of those choices involves dietary supplements. In particular, many women wonder if oil of oregano is safe to consume during pregnancy.
Oil of oregano is derived from the wild oregano plant and is known to have antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Studies have suggested that it can be used as a natural remedy for conditions such as yeast infections, digestive issues, and respiratory illness. With these potential benefits, it’s no wonder that some pregnant women may be considering using oil of oregano as part of their dietary supplement regimen.
In this blog post, we will discuss the potential risks and benefits associated with taking oil of oregano while pregnant
Is Oregano a Safe Herb to Eat When Pregnant?
Oregano is used both as a seasoning and garnish. There are two types of oregano: fresh and dried. While dried oregano is frequently used to flavor food, fresh oregano is frequently used as a garnish.
Oregano works well in cooking when used sparingly. When consumed in these small doses, oregano is regarded as safe to consume while pregnant.
The key is not to overdo it. Oregano consumption in excess can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage.
Oregano contains a compound called thymol (source: Elsevier Journal). Natural sources of thymol include aromatic plants like oregano, thyme, and basil.
Unfortunately, thymol can act as a mild uterine stimulant and may result in miscarriage (source: Naturally Occurring Chemicals Against Alzheimer’s Disease, 2021).
Furthermore, too much oregano can lead to gastrointestinal problems like heartburn and indigestion (source: WebMD), so be sure to minimize your intake if you are prone to these issues.
Is Oil Of Oregano Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is found to be an unsafe time to use oregano oil. The oil is known to have negative effects and allergic reactions, even in small amounts. Certain oil constituents may stimulate the uterus and cause preterm labor.
As there is inadequate research on the safety of oregano oil during pregnancy (2), both oral and topical use is discouraged during pregnancy (3).Related:
Improves Immunity:
Antioxidants found in oregano are incredibly abundant, which helps to improve immunity during pregnancy. It helps the body fight off any external infections and lessens the harmful effects of free radicals. It is very common to use oregano oil during pregnancy to fend off macular degeneration, nervous disorders, aging, and even cancer.
FAQ
What essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy?
- Aniseed.
- Basil.
- Birch.
- Camphor.
- Clary Sage.
- Hyssop.
- Mogwort.
- Oak Moss.
Can you eat oregano in first trimester?
What herbs Cannot be taken while pregnant?
- Uterine stimulants like aloe, barberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, feverfew, goldenseal, juniper, wild yam and motherwort.
- Herbs that might potentially harm your baby, such as autumn crocus, mugwort (safe for moxibustion but not for ingestion), pokeroot and sassafras.
Is it safe to consume oregano oil?