Oil of Oregano - Ancient Secret Rediscovered

It may sound Italian, but Oregano actually comes from the Greek meaning “mountains of joy.”   Legend has it Hippocrates (of the famed Hippocratic oath) used Oregano to treat stomach pain and respiratory diseases.   In later centuries, it was used to cure everything from joint pain to indigestion to foot fungus.   Grown in remote mountainous regions of the Mediterranean, the Oregano plant has long been recognized as a natural cure for what ails you.

Anti-Powerhouse
The Kat doesn’t mean to be negative, but she’s never encountered an herb that is so anti- so many different things!  Anti- comes from the Greek for ‘against’ or ‘instead of’ and Oil of Oregano works against a lot.   It’s an antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflamatory, anti-parasitic, antifungal, and antiseptic all in one.  Oil of Oregano packs a potent punch, knocking out many of the germs, microbes, and parasites that can quietly infest the body.  

As an added bonus, Oil of Oregano is loaded with a long list of vitamins including:  calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, copper, boron, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin A, and niacin.

The Co-op especially suggests Oil of Oregano in support of digestive, respiratory, joint and immune system health. 

Triple Threat:  Carvocral, Flavonoids, and Terpenes
The key element in oregano is the oil which contains Carvacrol, a natural phenol chocked with powerful anti-microbial properties.  Add in Flavonoids with their natural antiseptic powers and Terpenes, a potent natural anti-inflamatory, and you’ve got a triple threat to the bad guys.   Carvacrol has been shown to destroy a wide variety of pathenogic organisms, including the dreaded E. Coli.

So, yes, continue to liberally sprinkle Oregano on your pizza, pasta, and salads for seasoning, but also consider adding supplemental Oil of Oregano.  If you feel a cold or the flu coming on … If you suffer from allergies, hay fever, or sinus conditions … If you’ve got arthritis or sore muscles and joints … If you experience problems with your digestive tract … add the Co-op’s new Oil of Oregano to your supplement regimen.   Consider keeping a bottle in your medicine cabinet, too, to treat topical conditions such as toe fungus, warts, and psoriasis.  (see Notes)

Notes:
• Oil of Oregano has also been found to be an excellent topical treatment for fungal infections of the skin and nails including psoriasis, eczema, athlete’s foot, toe fungus and warts.  Pierce a capsule with a pin and apply it evenly to the infected area.   One caution: do not apply Oil of Oregano directly to the genital area as it will feel like it is burning.   Instead, try mixing a drop with olive or coconut oil before applying.

• Dentists may also delight in Oil of Oregano.  Capsules may be broken open and applied to canker sores or inflamed gums.  Because it’s so good at fighting bacteria, consider adding a drop or two to your toothpaste before brushing your teeth to fight plaque.

• Two studies out of Georgetown University, led by Dr. Harry Preuss, found Oil of Oregano, in particular its Carvacrol, reduced infection as effectively as antibiotics.

• A Cornell University study found Oil of Oregano was 100% effective eradicating 30 forms of bacteria including Pseudomonas aerulinosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphyloccus aureus and albus, and Bacillus anthracis.

• A University of Tennessee study led by microbiologist Dr. F. Ann Draughton found Oil of Oregano useful against 9 different food borne microbes: Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (also known as E.Coli), Yersinia enterocolitica, Pseudonomas aeruglinosa, Lactobacillus plantarum, Aspergillus niger, Geotrichum and Rhodotorula.

• Preliminary results in a Spanish study conducted by Cass Ingram, D.O. in Marbella, Spain indicate that Oregano may be effective in combating the Hepatitis C virus.