Infection Fighting Oil of Oregano

WitsEnd

Contributing Member
I have used Oil of Oregano in a diluted form (olive oil with a few drops of oregano oil) for various cuts and sores for myself and family members. It always works in healing but my family complains of smelling like a pizza.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/sardi6.html

Oil Of Oregano Rivals Modern Antibiotic Drugs
by Bill Sardi

Oil pressed from oregano leaves that contain the active ingredient carvacrol may be an effective treatment against sometimes drug-resistant bacterial infection. Georgetown University researchers have found that oil of oregano appears to reduce infection "as effectively as traditional antibiotics."

Oil of oregano at relatively low doses was found to be efficacious against Staphylococcus bacteria and was comparable in its germ-killing properties to antibiotic drugs such as streptomycin, pencillin and vancomycin. [Science Daily 10/11/2001] The findings were presented by Harry G. Preuss, MD, professor of physicology and biophysics, Georgetown University, at the American College of Nutrition'a annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. The oregano oil was obtained from North American Herb and Spice Company, a Waukeegan, Illinois company that sponsored the study and markets their non-prescription products in retail stores un the trade names Oregamax and Oregacyn.

Earlier this year researchers at the Department of Food Science at the University of Tennessee reported that, among various plant oils, oil of oregano exhibited the greatest antibacterial action against common pathogenic germs such as Staph, E. coli and Listeria. [Journal Food Protection, Volume 64, July 2001] Last year British researchers reported oregano oil had antibacterial activity against 25 different bacteria. [Journal Applied Microbiology, Volume 88, February 2000] A clinical study in Italy has shown that oil of oregano can be used to treat intestinal parasites. [Phytotherapy Research, Volume 14, May 2000]

The body of positive evidence for oregano oil as a major antibiotic is growing. Among 52 plant oils tested, oregano was considered to have "pharmacologic" action against common bugs such as Candida albicans (yeast), E. coli, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [Journal Applied Microbiology, volume 86, June 1999] Pseudomonas is a type of germ that is getting more difficult to treat as it has developed strains that are resistant against antibiotic drugs.

Of recent interest are reports showing that carvacrol from oil of oregano kills spores, such as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). [Archives Microbiology, Volume 174, October 2000; Quarterly Review Biology, Volume 73, March 1998] Bacillus cereus is considered to be from the same species as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). [Applied Environmental Microbiology, Volume 66, June 2000] In tests of antibiotics and antiseptics, Bacillus cereus is often used in studies in lieu of the anthrax strain. [University of Michigan News & Information Service, Sept. 23, 1998]

Oil of oregano is not to be confused with common oregano in the kitchen spice cupboard, which is usually marjoram (Origanum majorana or O. vulgare) rather than true oregano (Origanum vulgare).

The growing problem of antibiotic resistance has health authorities concerned. Already various germs are showing resistance to vancomycin, particularly to intestinal bacteria (Enterococcal species) among hospitalized patients. [Southern Medical Journal, Volume 94, August 2001] Vancomycin is considered to be the most potent antibiotic available and is withheld from use as a drug of last resort. Vancomycin costs about $16 per pill versus about $1 for the purest-strength oregano oil. Drug resistance does not develop against naturally-occuring antibiotics such as garlic and oil of oregano.

October 13, 2001
 

Kathy in WV

Down on the Farm...
Thank you! Thats an awesome piece of info to have on hand right now. Flu is here now and I'm scrambling to gather up this kind of info so we will have something to fall back on if its bad this year. My sons Principal was out yesterday with the flu :shk: I'm going out tomorrow to pick up oli of oregano. Isn't olive leaf extract supposed to be good too? Kathy
 

Wise Owl

Deceased
Look for a product called Oregacyn. It is Oregano extract with sage and cumin extracts. We swear by it to kill colds, sore throats, flu symptoms, ect.
I have seen it kill a cold in two days!

That reminds me. I need to get some more for the coming winter.... Great stuff.
Oregano is powerful stuff...
 

redhen

Inactive
i swear by "oreganol". It killed the flu that i had in Feb. At $25 for 0.45 OZ it is expensive but good. 5 minutes after i took it i didn't have a sore throght which had been bugging me for 2 days that i was at the farm. Also try grapfruite seed oil, it is an anti-fungel.
 

Dixielee

Veteran Member
Does anyone know if the capsules are useful? They are certainly easier to take than the oil. Also, do you take it only when you have symptoms, or is it a preventative? Do the "bugs" become resistant to it as well as to antibiotics? I am really concerned about the upcoming flu season and am looking at alternatives.
 

goatlady2

Deceased
Dixielee, it's my understanding that "bugs" do not develop a resistance to herbal stuff as the herbal stuff does not directly attack the bugs rather it works with the bodys' natural systems, strengthening and boosting the immune system so the immune system can do it's very best as it naturally was programed to do. The immune system can change to attack "bugs" faster that the "bugs can mutate if the immune system is operating at optimal levels. In my experience the very best immune system booster is echinacea tincture taken daily for a 7-10 day course, then not taken for a week to give the immune system time to adjust, then take again for 7-10 days, and off for a week. It is used as a preventative, but if you do come down with something you can take it just like an antibiotic, a dose every 4 hours or so for 5-7 days. Again, the "bugs" do not become resistent to the herb. Usiing capsules can work but takes a longer time as the dried herb in the capsules is not as medicinally potent as the extract in tinctures. You can put tincture into empty capsule which you can get at most health food stores or buy by the 1000 on line or just put the tincture in a glass of water and chug it down. I'm pretty sure the oregano is taken when you exhibit symptoms, not necessarily as a preventative. I personally don't have any experience with the oregano preps as I prefer preventative over curative.
 
Top