the oregano oil incident

Okay. If you know anything about oregano oil, disregard it during this post. Just so you can understand how this all went down.

So a few months ago, Casey was telling me all about oregano oil. She had read about it on the internet (where else do you get new information?) and it was apparently this miracle substance. Basically what I heard was that you drop some oregano oil in your mouth and you'll never be sick again. Sounds pretty good! She ordered some and when it finally came in, she realized she had bought the topical kind, not the kind you can ingest. So she re-purchased the right kind. And now we would have 4 bottles of oregano oil. And that would be fine because certainly we would use it all over time... mmm mmm mmm. If only I knew then what I know now.
When the second round of oregano oil came in we were pretty eager to try it. WHY??? Casey goes first. Two drops under the tongue. Her face... oh her face. I could tell it wasn't the most pleasant thing she had ever tasted. She may have even said something about how strong it was. Duh, it's concentrated oregano people. What did we think it was going to taste like? She proceeds to tell me to try it and of course I'm hesitant because of everything she just went through. But I figured that I could handle the intensity for a couple of minutes if it meant all these health benefits. Two drops under the tongue. It was okay, and then it wasn't.

SO. MUCH. OREGANO. It just started to spread further and further throughout my mouth and soon it felt like oregano was taking over my body. It was almost minty. But not the good kind of minty. Like a terrible terrible oregano mint. I think we drank lots of water to try to get rid of the taste but it took a while for it to go away. And then I had heartburn for the rest of the day. Terrible terrible heartburn. But, I must say, Casey's heart was totally fine. She told me that she had read that it caused heartburn in some folks. Thank you for that information, a little late. So we decided to give the oregano oil a break. I know right? Short lived. You'll soon find out that that is a common theme with Cavannah (Casey + Savannah.)

Well about a week or two ago, wheels started turning. You see, I have been having a hormonal acne problem. TMI? I thought, if oregano oil is so awesome and it's antiviral and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and antibiotic and antifungal and apparently anti-everything bad, maybe I could put it on my face and it'd help it out. So I ran the idea by Casey and without hesitation she basically said it made sense. Because oregano oil is anti-bacterial. So, without hesitation, I went to wash my face. I think that it is safe to say that if Cavannah agrees so easily on something, we need to take a step back and do more thinking and more research. Just to be sure. So I washed my face, everything was great. I got my oregano oil out, couldn't tell you if it was the topical kind or the kind you ingest but I don't really think it mattered at this point. I dropped some in the palm of my hand and started applying it all over my face. I made sure every inch was covered. I will also add that my face now smelled like a pizza. That just ain't right. So I was moving on to the moisturizing part of the face washing ceremony and I felt like my face was tingling a little. Just a little. I started applying moisturizer and it intensified the tingling. So naturally I started telling Casey that it was burning a little. She brushed it off and headed to bed and within seconds, I was screaming. Well, maybe it was more of a yell. At that point, I hadn't reached my most dramatic self. It was reeeeallly burning. Like someone had set my face on fire. So Casey ran into the bathroom and she's just like ehhhhh... because let's be honest, there was really nothing she could do. But I just needed her to fix it.

She had an idea for me to use her plain face cream to soothe it. She brought it to me and I scooped almost a handful out and started piling it on my face. The layer must have been 1/4 inch thick. BAM. Most dramatic self enters now. It made it worse! I mean I have never in my life experienced the pain that was happening on my face. I was just yelling. Just yelling. Making no sense. Making no progress, not trying to find solutions. Just yelling. And of course Casey was laughing hysterically while trying to be nice at the same time. Heck, I was laughing. Because this was such a Cavannah moment. I looked in the mirror and my face was more red than it has ever been. I was almost crying. So I plop down in front of the bathtub, turn the water on and start pouring water on my face. I was rinsing my face off for a while but, it finally started to stop burning. And when the pain had gone, there I was, sitting on the bathroom floor, soaking wet, with Casey standing over me. This was a very "smh" moment. (That is, shaking my head.) So much laughter and relief. Then I realized that it was very likely that my face would look crazy in the morning. Because let's be honest, I had just given myself and accidental chemical peel of some sort.

The next morning, my face was fine. And the next morning after that, my skin looked better than it had in a long time. So even though it was a very painful experience that I wish to never experience again, there is certainly something good about this oregano oil stuff. Since this incident, I have realized that it is actually okay to use oregano oil on your face, just not by itself. Now if I use it, I will mix it with Coconut Oil. But I must say that when it is mixed, it doesn't have the same dramatic effect. But I've also realized that it works just as well as lavender oil except lavender oil smells better on your face. And I will choose flower face over pizza face any day.

xo, Savannah

p.s. Please, please tell me that one of you has had a similar experience!


40 comments

  1. hahah this was hilarious! I love the crazy ideas we sometimes think are OK. lol! Now what to do with all that oil....
    Kallie @ But First, Coffee

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    1. Right! What are we going to do with all of this oil?? Maybe we will use it in place of actual oregano. But that might just be another crazy story to tell.

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  2. I had an experience not as painful as yours but still quite miserable. I was gonna use it as a detox because I've also heard of all the benefits of oregano oil so I put about 5 drops of the oil in a glass of water and just chugged it. About 1 minute later I'm over the toilet and all of it is coming back up haha!

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    1. Oh my that sounds terrible! I've heard of people mixing it with water but... that just sounds like a really bad drink. Although dropping it right under your tongue isn't all that great either...

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  3. I've never heard of this oil before, but I had a similar experience with a makeup removing pad once that made my face burn and all my friends just laughed at me while I rolled around dramatically on the floor. hahaha! But it did get all my makeup off.

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    1. Whoa a makeup removing pad?? That seems like something that should be gentle!

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  4. OH MY GOSH this is so hilarious and sounds like something my sister and I could do!!! Hilarious!! Glad you are ok!!

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  5. Oh myyy! I never even thought about putting that kind of oil on my face but after hearing that tea tree oil can cause allergies I'll probably never let any kind of oil near my face in its concentrated form.

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    1. Ya it's probably a safe bet to not use concentrated oils on the face. It's just tooooo intense.

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  6. Sorry, but thanks for sharing such a funny story!! I do mix oregano oil with echinacea in a little shot glass with water when colds start. Also clove oil is really good for all that stuff too and my kids will take clove oil before oregano. PS - love the new blog and direction you guys are going. Refreshing and inspiring!

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  7. OMG that is hilarious! I've tried oregano oil in the past whenever I'm sick so I definitely know how awful that is. I have thought about applying it to my face but was always too scared and I guess I had good reason to :P Thanks for sharing your story!

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  8. what about in a smoothie? just a thought.

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  9. I work at a Vitamin store so I have a lot of experience with Oregano Oil. That stuff is amazing, I can't say enough good stuff about it. I haven't been sick for over 3 years (and I used to get strep throat every year!). The taste is absolutely awful though, the trick is to use something that will cancel the taste out or help disperse the oil. It is basically the same as eating spicy foods. After letting the drops sit in your mouth for a few seconds wash it all down with milk. The enzymes in milk can help break down the oils. Its the same concepts as ranch sauce with super spicy chicken wings! Also, you had the right idea to dilute the drops for your face. They actually sell creams that have ingredients like oregano oil, tea tree oil, and neem. Which are all good for anti-inflammation!

    P.S. I have been a huge fan of the blog for a few years, keep up the good work! I have tried several DIY's and have always been extremely happy with the results! Thank you!!

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    1. Thank you Savannah and Casey for sharing! I am currently dealing with a very bad oregano oil chemical peel incident that took place Tuesday night! I am using cocnut oil to heal and help with the pain. I used way too much of the substance on my neck. And it still burns. My skin is peeling off. But I have no doubt it will heal. I am leaving it in God's hand. Thank you again!

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  10. Yup. Did the same damn thing. Feeling pretty silly about it

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  11. Yep this same thing basically happened to me this morning. I never had an essential oil burn me! I have a weird bump thing (yes I will go to the Drs.) And I thought I'd try a drop of oregano oil on it to maybe make it go away.. so I put a few drops on my hands and rubbed them together and applied it... I'm pretty sure my hands now have chemical burns. Dang that hurt!!! Leaned my lesson

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  12. I wish to gawd I'd have seen this before dabbling in this insanity... Got huge burns on my face from it. So. I got it because I felt a bit off after a course of antibiotics, my tongue was coated with some nastiness, and I'd read that the carvacrol in it is antibacterial. Figured I'd take a drop and see what happens. Burned to hell and back, but the nasty stuff was GONE! I figured some more - and this is where things turned real bad - hmm... maybe i can get a light facial peel out of it... Because if it burned my mouth but worked, it'll do the same to my face! And yes, put it on. It was like 1000 suns had congregated to burn my cheeks, and cold water made it worse and hot water EVEN WORSE. Then my face looked like I was dragged on the pavement and had burns from it. I will dilute and try some more. Because I'm insane and also because it obviously does *something* and the dose makes the poison!

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  13. I had a cold sore on my tongue so I was taking oil of oregano capsules. One day I thought it would be a good idea to cut then open and put it directly on my cold sore. I was alone in my apartment so the first thing I could think to do is put my mouth under the faucet. My mouth was on fire! Two little drops and suddenly my entire mouth and lips were on fire! Even after I washed my mouth completely I could still taste it and it still burned. So now I realized what I've been doing to my stomach by taking these capsules every day . Whenever I burp I smell and taste oregano. My pee smells like oregano. I'm afraid to check what else might smell like it. Needless to say my medical issues seem to be getting better. One day I actually tried eating whole cloves of raw garlic with it and I had spaghetti burps all day. Gross.

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  14. I literally did this same thing to my face 20 monumin ago which led me to Google "oregano oil stinging burning skin" which led me to your blog post 😂 you made me laugh and feel so much better that I'm not alone! It hurt like hell...felt like my face was on fire. I kept running cold water over it until it went down to merely tingling all over, rather than that lemon juice in a paper cut in the fires of Mordor kind of feeling. I will never do that again! Than you for the humor and empathy I found here! 🖤 I loved reading all the comments as well. So helpful.

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  15. ^^^^^just had this same experience. I tried washing it off with water which did NOT work, & put coconut oil all over my face instead which helped soothe the burn instantly. now I look like an inflamed oily tomato since my face is so red, hoping it goes away by the morning and this isn't some serious chemical burn shit that lasts forever...

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  16. Ughh just did this to myself my face is on fire. I knew better but thought it’s just a little it will be fine. I had liquid snot pouring out of my nose and eyes and mouth. If the cold water didn’t start working. I was grabbing the fire extinguisher next and blow torching my face with it. I’m glad I’m not alone and pray to God tomorrow it will be better. FML lol

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  17. I had an earache, so I put a few drops in my ear! OMG! The burn was something serious! Never Again!!!!

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  18. Too funny! Here's something to do with all that oil: I put 5 drops of oil of oregano into a 2 ounce shot glass along with 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract and 2 Tbsp of colloidal silver. Then I fill the rest with apple or orange juice (which masks most of the flavor). This kills most bacteria during cold and flu season (and throughout the year)!

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  19. Put it on my lip omgoodness. The more I rinse the more it burns. Coconut oil to the rescue after 20 minutes.Should have read this article first. It really scared me. I know I wasn't allergic. I use the herbs in my fish. I thought it would be a good for dry lips. Ayer it cooled off my lips were fine

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  20. Thanks for sharing. My advice: don't put it in your bath!! I put like 4 drops in my bath last night. Stepped in, got comfy, and then the stinging began!! I didn't want to get out so I stayed in. Bad idea! I was mad cos I have severe tonsillitis right now and just couldn't take it. Showered for 10 mins scrubbing vigorously with soap till the stinging stopped. I've taken it under the tongue for years with much success though.

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  21. I had a bad experience with this. Got the oregano on my upper lip. Burned like hell. Then dried out my skin so bad and I've been dealing with it for years now. No matter what I do, my lip is dry and my facial hair doesn't grow as thick anymore, very sad and flakey. Came here for solutions. It's old now. I am tired of it, so tired of it.

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  22. I received the oil of oregano yesterday in the mail. Put two drops under my tongue for the first time. It was horrible! It burns so bad it scared me! I jumped up and ran into the bathroom and kept brushing my teeth. It kept burning. I didn’t know what to do because I live by myself. I just kept brushing and brushing and rinsing and rinsing and the burn finally stopped. I am returning it and I will never use it again. I might read more about taking it in capsule form but now I’m afraid to put it in my body because I would be afraid it would burn my insides up!!! Before I ever order this again I will do more research to see if I can take the capsules without it harming me.

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    1. Loool. It’s completely normal to burn. It’s amazing for wisdom teeth that are coming out and infected, it’s amazing for strep throat/ sore throat. It has so many great benefits but hurts like hell. I swallow two or 3 drops when I feel my throat starting to hurt 3 times a day. It never gets easy but it’s natural & very effective. It’s an oil, and it’s killing bacteria of course it’s gonna hurt. I’d rather that hurt me for a minute or two and benefit me then take antibiotics that are “easy” and affect me more in the long run.

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  23. Thank you for sharing this it was funny but at the same time reassuring. This evening I went to wash my hair. Now I had read that oregano oil was good for so many things I thought that it would be good for dandruff so I put about 2ml in about 500ml of warm water and rinse my hair through after shampooing. I was going to leave it on for about 5 minutes but after I poured it on I felt a slight tinkling and thought it's good that it was working so quickly. Then the tinkling rapidly changed to my head is on fire.I was calling "help me!" till I realised that the windows were open and we are in covid season and I didn't want the neighbours to call the emergency services. I put on the cold water and rinsed for ages. I got out of the shower and it still burned so I ran it under the cold water in the sink. The pain was unbelievable. I was sure nobody could be as stupid as me. My family could not appreciate what I was going through. I went to the internet to look for something to counteract the burning and came across your story. I read the bit about the coconut oil and so I plastered my head with coconut oil and the relief was instant. Never again. I thank God I wasn't blinded. I really expected my hair to be in my hands. Thank you so much for mentioning the coconut oil it really helped.

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    1. Sammmmmmme...I put drops on my scalp bout 4 days ago..and 4 days later I have scabs on my scalp and it's still sore.I need something to get rid of the soreness in my scalp

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  24. OMG! I surely found this blog searching for explanations why oregano does this burning effect. I got it with face mask I prepared without thinking too much. But, and this appeared in the comments only once, thanks G.D I somehow knew that MILK neutralizes the effect of burning. It could have help to the hair, and the mouth, etc. So I washed my face with milk and it instantly stopped burning. But I also had mist water with lavender oil and mist with aloevera. So I sprinkled both of them in the course of the evenenig and for the next day my face looked as usual. I just had small sencitivty on my cheeks, but this passes after one day. OMG! This was experience of a kind!! Now I want to prep DIY face cream and searching inet for what essential oils I can put inside so not to kill myself :)

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  25. Sooo...that sounds terrible about everyone’s faces and lips. However, I will one up all of you. I heard same thing about oregano oil. I am NOT a regular nor competent oil user, TO SAY THE LEAST. I had the beginnings of a yeast infection coming on. Wait for it...I put CONCENTRATED oregano oil ON. MY. VAGINA!!!!! I’ve given birth 5 TIMES. 5! Bearing a human being out of my tender of parts has nothing on the pain I experienced. I have NEVER been in so much pain in my life! Came very close to passing out. Coconut oil did bring the pain down to the level of childbirth. Heaven help me. 😑

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    1. OMG, OMG. I hope you’re okay! Oh noooooooo 😭😭😭

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    2. Omg... Mrs. Voyles. You are right, you just one upped all of us. I found this post by googling to see if others have used it as a skin peel bc I used it last night to try to get rid of a tiny black spot on my cheek that didn't look right. I spread it around a little bit too much (knowing how much it burns but doing it anyway) and now my cheeks are bright red.

      But I got nothing on you, girl. Your post was hysterical and frightening at the same time. I think that they should put a warning on all bottles of Oregano oil to tell people, do not use on mucous membranes and be extremely cautious of using on skin. Glad you survived!

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  26. I took Gala Oil of Oregano pill form, 2 the first day and 1 the next day, starting get upset stomach day 1 and 2, stop taking due to stomach issues. The 3rd day seems my body is releasing the Oregano, its in my nose, mouth, eyes etc. Really strange being I only took recommended dosage day 1 and half dosage day 2. I am drinking tons of water and eating trying to get rid of it now. I took it due to a cold, good thing is it took care of the cold but now makes me feel bad another way. Any suggestions on getting it to flush out ?

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  27. Hi, did anyone else lose their taste with the god awful burning?

    I just got off two rounds of antibiotics which caused some oral thrush. So I decided to go the natural route and use oregano oil…I use it all the time in capsules so I know I can deal with it… Not nearly aswell as I thought! Lol I can’t taste a thing other than grapefruit juice! Lol

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    1. Finally a post I can relate to! I got home one day and I wanted to take some vitamins and oregano oil. The one I would use was the one that you could do 2-3 drops under tongue and although the taste is not pleasant it was bearable. I’ve been taking CBD drops and I normally use the whole tube (the pipette) and because I hadn’t used oregano in a while I forgot you were suppose to do it in drops but my fiance ended up buying a new bottle that is 100 % pure so this one specifically needs to be mixed with something. Well, I took the whole tube instead of drops and without mixing it with anything and I swear I thought I was going to die, I couldn’t talk, I was drinking water and it didn’t work, I tried spitting out what I could, I was nauseous and felt like throwing up immediately, my eyes were red and the tears were coming out uncontrollably. My fiancé thought I was choking and was not sure what happened. Thank god 5 minutes later I felt better but those were the longest 5 minutes of my life. So now I am on day 2 and my taste buds are still no where to be found. I am scared I messed something up. Every time I google to see if it can possibly permanent, I can’t find any answers. So I am pretty much praying and hoping that it isn’t permanent cause I love food too much to not be able to taste it ever again lol!!!!

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  28. I definitely would never put it under my tongue but I do take it just straight down my throat before any of my other supplements for years and I've never had any of the above mentioned issues.... I don't get colds or sick but I wouldn't say it's because of that, just the combination of healthy living, eating and extra supplements when needed :)

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