Oil of Oregano

Nov 07

Recently I thought it might be a good time for me to try oil of oregano. As usual this was based on bits of information I had collected from the media. A radio nutritionist seemed to suggest it now and then when talking about fighting “those winter bugs” and I thought I had heard it helped with the digestive tract and even skin problems like athletes foot. Beyond this I knew it was called Oil of Oregano and not oregano oil; maybe for the same reasons it is “eye of newt” and not newts eyes; or maybe this is to keep you targeted on the herbal oregano and not cooking oregano.

I stopped in our little local health foods store “Nature’s Cornucopia” armed only with that bit of critical info. I know the couple who own it and was clowning around before even getting in there, begging them to let me in an unused and permanently barricaded side door. In the middle of gabbing about some local musician experiences with John (great drummer!) I mentioned the Oil of Oregano and Bev showed me some OregaMax. I was immediately confused by the front label. There was no mention of oregano. Instead it mentions wild rhus berries,”ancient formula”, 100% raw, certified wild, natural source of calcium. Nothing I was interested in…other than the name OregaMax sounded like it would have Oregano in it. I’ve seen “ancient formula” used before to point to some vague bible references and make baloney claims backed up by non-scientific testimonials. Ok, “raw’ is probably important so you know you aren’t getting cooked oil, and the wild oregano is the type needed. Natural source of calcium? Who cares? Coral calcium is natural and worthless as a supplement. I’m content with calcium citrate as my calcium supplement. I tell Bev and John I want to make sure it’s the correct herbal type oregano and they both smile nodding as I flip the bottle over and read aloud from the ingredients “Wild mountain oregano! Wild mountain…sounds good to me!” There are other herbs in the blend but Bev knows her stuff so I go along with the choice. It is important that it contains wild oregano and not culinary oregano. In fact, this oregano will only grow and produce the optimum herbal potency growing wild in the Mediterranean mountains. It’s primary component should be carvacrol and not thymol. But just one thing…it mentioned onion in the ingredients. I tend to have skin problems when I eat food with onions, but decide to give it a shot anyway. Maybe a little onion powder in a pill will be no big deal.

How did it work for me?

I took 2 of the capsules that afternoon and 2 more the next day. On the second day I thought I could feel a warm sensation in some areas of my skin, particularly the area on my feet where I tend to get athletes foot, but this might have just been noticed by my focusing on it. By the third day I was seeing my usual reaction to onion, a sort of oiliness that seems to come from deep in the skin, yet will form something like a small bubble that when rubbed releases the oil…not like typical acne at all. In addition to this I guess the source can get clogged deeper and a type of boil can result. Yes this is why I avoid onions! I wonder how much better my teenage years would have been if I had learned that sooner.

Back to the OregaMax

I did notice a reduction of the foot fungus over that short period and the mild intestinal flue symptoms i felt coming on before, diminished. But I stopped taking the Oregamax to avoid the onion, later giving it to a friend. I’m encouraged enough by the results that I will look for a formulation without onion.

OregaMax and Oregano claimed uses

Oregamax might be a good choice for most people who have no problem with onion. It turns out there was more to that “ancient formula” than my skeptic mind thought. Ancient Greek physicians used oregano to treat all kinds of aches and pains, coughs, and even venomous bites. Mediterraneans have for centuries used wild oregano to ease constipation, diarrhea, chronic cough, headache, menstrual irregularities, parasitic infections, and bacterial and viral infections. In addition to these uses todays herbalists use oregano for chronic infections, asthma, bronchial congestion, joint pain, digestion, energizer and for the elimination of intestinal gas. Wow! I can be free of pain, infection, breathe freely and stop farting!

Anti Fungal

Wild oregano oil is a very powerful anti fungal herb. Since it is relatively non-toxic, (there are still warnings about it’s use. see below) it is possible to use higher doses of it to treat wide spread fungal infections, like Candidiasis (maybe it will work on some of my “candy ass” friends). Oregano is said to work on almost every type of fungi and can even fight fungi that have mutated from antibiotic use.

Antibacterial

Oregano also combats most bacterial infections, including staph, strep, and E. coli. Researchers believe its volatile oils oxygen somehow react with the bacteria to create heat and dehydrate the cells.

Wild Oreganos other components.

It’s not just those spicy oils; oregano is also loaded with calcium, vitamin C and many other vitamins and minerals plus the antiseptic, chlorophyll.

Is it all Good?

Ok, so far it looks like we are all fools for not ingesting and bathing in oil of oregano every day. But digging a bit deeper I found a few warnings.

Don’t use while pregnant

Do not use oil of oregano, either topically or internally, while pregnant. And caution is advised while nursing. (Consult your doctor) It can reduce a mothers milk supply and there are other safety issues for the infants milk. Nursing mothers should prevent the infants ingestion of oil of oregano by not applying the oil to their nipples. It can be difficult to wash off and of course then the infant might ingest it. During the weaning process, to reduce milk production, mothers may wish to use a breast massage oil containing oil of oregano. If the mother is still nursing, care should be taken to be sure all the oil is removed before breast-feeding.

Skin Irritation

Oil of oregano should always be diluted for topical use. The essential oil is irritaing to the skin. It can be especially irritating to mucous membranes and should be diluted with a carrier oil to 1% or less for this use. Use should be avoided on damaged or sensitive skin or on children younger than 2 years old.

Internal use Warnings

Not all commercial oregano oils are made from high grade wild mountain oregano. Some even contain dangerous levels of thymol, so use due diligence in checking the quality and source of the product. There is not even universal agreement among experts that oil of oregano should ever be taken internally. Those who accept its use stress that it be suitably diluted and its source and contents verified.

Internal use should be restricted to a few drops of the pure essential oil per dose, and used short term. Although therapeutic in small, short term doses, these oils can build to toxic levels in the liver, kidneys and the nervous system if taken in excess.

Always be sure to use true wild oregano essential oil ( less than 5% thymol) Don’t be tempted by pure thymol oil, which should never be taken internally and should be only used with extreme caution externally.

If you have a medical condition consult with a physician before use.

Interactions

Light

Oil of oregano like other essential oils tends to be photosensitive. So avoid the sun and tanning beds after applying to prevent skin burn.

No Sweat

Skin irritation can result if you apply the oil after sweating.

Using the Oil

If you have a vial of the oil of oregano instead of the capsule formula I tried, you will need to dilute.

For internal use try 1 drop of oil in an 8 ounces of water or juice once or twice daily. You can also mix a drop of the oil with a tablespoon of honey, syrup or olive oil and place it under the tongue twice a day.

For topical use on skin and nail dilute with a carrier oil like olive oil or almond oil reading all label warnings and instructions. A little goes a long way. You might start with a one to three ratio first (1 drop oregano oil to 3 drops carrier oil), massaging or swabbing the affected area up to 3 times a day. If no problems occur you may want to go up to a 1 to 2 ratio.

Test your skin for sensitivity first. Apply a small amount and cover with a bandage for a day to see if redness or irritation develops.

Antiseptic. Yes, you can even mix a few drops with water for wiping down counters or add a couple drops to body wash, shampoo or your bath water.

What do I think?

I like the ease of having a capsule. I’ll be looking for an oil of oregano cap that will work for me next time I feel I need to fight back an infection.

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