How to Prepare Oregano Leaves for Cough Medicine

Last Updated: February 18, 2022 References Approved

Oregano is an herb that’s not only used in cooking. Oregano is used in natural medicine for many different ailments, from colds and coughs, to digestive issues, to aches and pains. If you have a cough and want to try a natural remedy, you can use oregano to help with your symptoms.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Oregano Oil

1
Gather the oregano. To make oregano oil, you need to first make sure it is completely dry. If there is any excess water or damp spots, it can cause mold or bacteria to grow in your oil. Gather the amount of oregano you’d like for your oil, such as ½ cup or 1 cup.^{[1]
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2
Choose your oil. When you make oregano oil, you will use a 1:1 ratio of oil to oregano. This means you will add the same amount of oil as oregano. If you have ½ cup of oregano, you need ½ cup of oil.
- You can use olive oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or almond oil.
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3
Crush the oregano. You should crush the oregano before you add it to the oil to help it start releasing its own oils. You can do this a couple of different ways. You can tear or cut the leaves with a knife.
- You can also place the oregano in a plastic bag and smash it with a mallet or rolling pin.^{[2]
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- If you have a mortar or something similar, you can crush the oregano that way, too.
4
Warm the oil. Before adding the oil to the oregano, you need make sure it is warm. You can do this by placing it in the microwave, or place the oil in a glass container that you sit in hot water. Just make sure the oil is warm, and not too hot or boiling.^{[3]
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- Warming the oil helps the oregano and oil infuse better.
- Alternately, you can place the jar in hot water after you place the oregano inside and seal the jar to infuse it. If you do this, leave the jar in the hot water for up to 10 minutes.^{[4]
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5
Add the oregano. Once you have warm oil, add the oregano and oil to a sanitized jar. Stir is around to mix the oregano fully. You can even massage the leaves if you want to help release their oils.^{[5]
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- Place the lid on the jar when the oregano is added.
6
Infuse the oil for a few weeks. The oil needs to infuse for a few weeks. You want to let it infuse for at least two weeks. You can set it on a sunny windowsill to let the sunlight heat the oil to help it infuse.^{[6]
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- Make sure to shake the jar every few days.
- Some people think letting it infuse longer is better for medicinal use. If you want to let it infuse longer, keep it infused for up to six weeks, but no longer. It could go bad.
7
Strain the oil. After the oil has infused for a number of weeks, you need to strain the oregano from it. Use a strainer or a cheesecloth to strain the oregano from the oil. Make sure to squeeze out all the oil in the oregano leaves.
- Place the oil in a sanitized jar or a dropper bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place.
- You can also store it in the refrigerator.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Cough Syrup With Oregano

1
Gather the ingredients. To make a natural cough syrup, you need garlic, oregano, and honey. You need ½ cup of honey, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 sprigs of fresh oregano. You can measure out about one teaspoon to one tablespoon of oregano instead.
- Garlic, honey, and oregano are antimicrobials that help naturally fight colds and coughs.
- You can also add ½ cup of onion and one lemon if you want.
2
Boil oregano and garlic. Boil the garlic cloves and the oregano with about ½ cup of water. Boil for about five minutes.
3
Combine with honey. Let the boiling mixture cool for a few minutes, then pour into a cup with the honey. Mix together. Now, it is ready to drink.
4
Steep overnight. An alternate way to make this cough syrup is to let it set overnight. In a jar, put the oregano at the bottom, then the garlic, then lemon and onion. Pour the honey and water over the ingredients, making sure the water covers all the ingredients completely. Put the lid on the jar so it is airtight, and let it steep overnight. Strain the liquid the next morning and only drink the liquid.
- Store in your refrigerator for a week.
- This makes an even stronger cough syrup because the garlic and onion (if you add onion) are stronger and have more medicinal properties if they aren’t cooked.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Oregano For Medicinal Purposes

1
Use oregano cough syrups. The oregano cough syrup can be taken orally. Take a spoonful as often as you need for coughs or sore throats.
- Don’t give the cough syrup to children under a year old because of the honey.
2
Take oregano oil for colds and coughs. Oregano oil can be taken orally for any cold or cough symptoms. If you have a dropper, you can take two droppers full if you feel any cold symptoms coming on, including a cough.
- Another way to use oregano oil for coughs is to take three to five drops daily when you have a cough. You can put the oil in water, tea, orange juice, or directly into your mouth.^{[7]
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3
Use oregano oil only when sick. Some people take oregano oil daily for a general boost. Most people believe you should only take it when you are sick. Oregano oil is considered a powerfully effective herbal remedy, so taking it when you feel a cold or cough coming on, and while you are sick, helps emphasize the effectiveness of the oil.^{[9]
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Know the medicinal properties of oregano oil. Oregano oil is an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial agent. It also is considered a natural pain reliever.^{[10]
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- Oregano is believed to fight coughs, colds, congestion, sinusitis, allergies, arthritis, sore muscles, tooth aches, burns, ear infections, insect bites, and digestive issues like diarrhea.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

Where can I get oregano oil?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Most herbal stores and some pharmacies will carry oregano oil. You can also get it online, but do your research to make certain the company has a good reputation.
Question

Is oregano safe for infants?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

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Most of these oils are not generally recommended for infants or babies less than 2 years old. There are some who recommend diluting the oregano oil by putting 1-2 drops into a tablespoon of olive oil and applying this mixture to the soles of baby's feet, but it is not really known if that approach is safe or effective.
Question

Is it safe to drink oregano leaves everyday even without a cold or cough?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Most herbalists and naturopaths would recommend against using oregano leaves every day, reserving the oregano for when you are sick with a cough or a cold. There are currently very few studies looking at daily oregano intake.