Oregano herb is a member of the mint family. It is light green in color with
strong, aromatic odor and pleasantly bitter taste. This spice goes well with
tomato sauces, pizza, and vegetable and fish salads.
Q. Can you tell me if oregano oil typically contains
thymol, and if this causes liver toxicity. I bought 2 different brands
of oregano oil and it just lists carvacrol as an ingredient, but not
thymol.
A. As far as I know, reasonable amounts of thymol contained in
dietary supplements are not toxic to the liver.
Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2018. Hepatoprotective effect of thymol against subchronic toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: Biochemical and histological evidences. Thymol effectively protects against nano-TiO2-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by its antioxidant properties.
Molecules. 2017. Cytotoxic Activity of Origanum Vulgare on Hepatocellular Carcinoma cell Line HepG2 and Evaluation of its Biological Activity.
Res Pharm Sci. 2018. Effects of oregano essential oil on brain TLR4 and TLR2 gene expression and depressive-like behavior in a rat model. The compositions of the oregano oil were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The main constituents were thymol (20%), gamma-terpinene (9%), borneol (9%), cymene (7%), carvacrol (6%), alfa-terpinene (5%), and sabinene (5%). Administration significantly alleviated depressive symptoms.
Phytother Res. 2018. Carvacrol and human health: A
comprehensive review. Carvacrol is a phenolic monoterpenoid found in
essential oils of oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus vulgaris),
pepperwort (Lepidium flavum), wild bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia),
and other plants. Carvacrol possesses a wide range of bioactivities
putatively useful for clinical applications such antimicrobial,
antioxidant, and anticancer activities.
Oil of Oregano benefit
Many studies have been done over the years, but I
could only find one involving a human trial. Numerous laboratory and
animal studies indicate the health benefit of oregano include immune stimulating effects, blood
sugar control properties, antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-parasite, and anti-bacterial activities.
However, since human trials are lacking, the benefit of oregano oil or
oregano herb in terms of human disease prevention and treatment. is
difficult to say. There are many supplements, herbs or herbal extracts
that play a role in immune system support. A few of these include
olive leaf extract
supplement, colostrum
supplement and
andrographis.
Q. Is it useful in skin cancer?
A. I could not find a human study on Medline when I searched for
the key words " oregano skin cancer "
Skin care products
Biochim Open. 2017. Anti-inflammatory, tissue remodeling, immunomodulatory, and
anticancer activities of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil in a human
skin disease model. The use of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil has
become popular in skin care products. However, scientific research regarding its
effects on human skin cells is scarce. We suggest that oregano oil extract, with
carvacrol as the major active component, is a promising candidate for use in
skin care products with anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
Oil of oregano side effects, danger, is it safe
Q. When I took one dropper full of oil of oregano my tongue became
swollen 4 times it's size and I lost my taste buds. I had to go to the
ER . I'm on Lidocaine solution to ease the pain My throat is swollen
still no taste buds. My tongue 4 times it's original size. I'm hurting .
The ER said my mouth and throat burned.
A. An allergic, hypersensitivity, or irritant reaction can occur if it is not diluted. The side effects subside over a few
hours or days depending on the amount used.
Cancer prevention with this plant
Anticancer Drugs. 2015. Carvacrol inhibits proliferation and induces
apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. Carvacrol is a major component of
oregano and thyme essential oils and shows antitumor properties.
Oregano Plant studies
J Egypt Soc Parasitolology. 2012. The efficacy of Origanum vulgare on Eimeria
tenella. Eimeria tenella is one of the most common and pathogenic
species of the genus Eimeria in the chicken and is associated with many
coccidiosis outbreaks and a high rate of mortality. Experimentally,
Origanum vulgare proved to be an anti-Eimeria tenella regimen.
Oregano: properties, composition and biological activity
Arch Latinoam Nutrition. 2004.
The wild oregano spice includes various plant species. The most common are the
genus Origanum, native of Europe, and the Lippia, native of Mexico. Among
the species of Origanum. their most important components are the limonene,
gamma-cariofilene, rho-cymenene, canfor, linalol, alpha-pinene, carvacrol
and thymol. In the genus Lippia, the same compounds can be found. The
oregano composition depends on the specie, climate, altitude, time of
recollection and the stage of growth. Some of the properties of this
plant's extracts are being currently studied due to the growing interest
for substituting synthetic additives commonly found in foods. Oregano has
a good antioxidant capacity and also presents antimicrobial activity
against pathogenic microorganisms like Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia
coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, among others.
These are all characteristics of interest for the food industry because
they may enhance the safety and stability of foods. There are also some
reports regarding the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effect of
oregano; representing an alternative for the potential treatment and/or
prevention of certain chronic ailments, like cancer. Oregano oil herb.
Performance of rabbits and oxidative stability of muscle tissues as
affected by dietary supplementation with wild oregano essential oil.
Arch Anim Nutr. 2004.
The effect of dietary supplementation with herb oregano essential oil on the
performance of rabbits, and the susceptibility of the produced raw and
thermally treated muscle tissue to lipid oxidation during refrigerated
storage, were investigated. A total of 96 weaned rabbits were separated
into four equal groups with three subgroups each. One group was given the
basal diet and served as control, two groups were administered diets
supplemented with oregano essential oil at levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg
diet, whereas the remaining group was given a diet supplemented with
alpha-tocopheryl acetate at 200 mg/kg. During the 42-day experimental
period, body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly and the feed
conversion ratio was calculated. Feeding the experimental diets to
rabbits, performance parameters were not affected. Therefore, dietary
oregano essential oil exerted no growth-promoting effect on rabbits. With
increased supplementation of oregano essential oil, malondialdehyde values
decreased in both raw and thermally treated muscles during refrigerated
storage. This finding suggests that dietary oregano essential oil exerted
a significant antioxidant effect. Dietary supplementation of oregano
essential oil at the level of 200 mg/kg was more effective in delaying
lipid oxidation compared with the level of 100 mg/kg, but inferior to
dietary supplementation of 200 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate per kg. This
study indirectly provides evidence that antioxidant compounds occurring in
oregano essential oil were absorbed by the rabbit and increased the
antioxidative capacity of tissues.
Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Origanum
vulgare growing wild in Tafilalet region.
J Ethnopharmacology 2004.
The effect of an aqueous extract of wild oregano leaves on blood
glucose levels was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)
diabetic rats. In normal rats, the blood glucose levels were slightly
decreased 6 h after a single oral administration as well as 15
days after once daily repeated oral administration of aqueous wild oregano
extract (20 mg/kg). After a single dose or 15 daily doses, oral
administration of the wild oregano aqueous extract (20 mg/kg) produced a significant
decrease on blood glucose levels in STZ diabetic rats. In STZ
rats, the blood glucose levels were normalised from the fourth day after
daily repeated oral administration of aqueous wild oregano extract (20 mg/kg). However, this effect was less pronounced 2 weeks after daily
repeated oral administration of wild oregano extract. In addition, no changes were
observed in basal plasma insulin concentrations after treatment in either
normal or STZ diabetic rats indicating that the aqueous Oregano extract
acted without changing insulin secretion. We conclude that an aqueous
extract of Oregano exhibits an anti-hyperglycaemic activity in STZ rats
without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations.
Immunostimulatory effect of dietary oregano
etheric oils on lymphocytes from growth-retarded, low-weight
growing-finishing pigs and productivity.
Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 2004.
The present study was designed to evaluate the possible effect of
dietary oregano etheric oils as non-specific immunostimulating agents in
growth-retarded, low-weight growing-finishing pigs. Results show dietary oregano improves growth in growth-retarded growing-finishing pigs
and has non-specific immunostimulatory effects on porcine immune cells.
Effect of dietary supplementation with oregano
essential oil on performance of broilers after experimental infection with
Eimeria tenella.
Arch Tierernahr. 2003.
A study was carried out to examine the effect of dietary
supplementation of oregano essential oil on performance of broiler
chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella at 14 days of age. A
total of 120 day-old Cobb-500 chicks separated into 4 equal groups with
three replicates each, were used in this study. Two groups, one infected
with 5 x 10(4) sporulated oocysts of E. tenella and the other not, were
given a basal diet and served as controls. The other two groups also
infected with E. tenella were administered diets supplemented with oregano
essential oil at a level of 300 mg/kg, or with the anticoccidial lasalocid
at 75 mg/kg. Following this infection, survival rate, bloody diarrhoea and
oocysts excretion as well as lesion score were determined. Two weeks
after the infection with E. tenella supplementation with dietary oregano
oil resulted in body weight gains and feed conversion ratios not differing
from the non-infected group, but higher than those of the infected control
group and lower than those of the lasalocid group. These parameters
correspond with the extent of bloody diarrhoea, survival rate, lesion
score and oocyst numbers and indicated that oregano essential oil exerted
an anticoccidial effect against E. tenella, which was, however, lower than
that exhibited by lasalocid.
Antithrombin activity of some constituents from Origanum vulgare - wild
oregano plant.
Fitoterapia. 2002.
Aristolochic acid I, aristolochic acid II, and raffinose were
isolated from oregano plant. Their inhibition of thrombin and activity against
leukemia were evaluated. Aristolochic acid I and II have high inhibition
of thrombin activity and were confirmed to possess activity against
cancer.
Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil
of oregano in vivo.
Phytother Research. 2000.
Oil of Mediterranean oregano plant was orally administered
to 14 adult patients whose stools tested positive for enteric parasites, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax nana. After 6
weeks of supplementation with 600 mg emulsified oil of oregano daily,
there was complete disappearance of Entamoeba hartmanni (four cases),
Endolimax nana (one case), and Blastocystis hominis in eight cases. Also,
Blastocystis hominis scores declined in three additional cases.
Gastrointestinal symptoms improved in seven of the 11 patients who had
tested positive for Blastocystis hominis.
Emails
Q. What is the safety record of using oil of oregano daily as an immune
booster?
A. We are not familiar with any long term studies regarding
supplement use of oil of oregano. Breaks from use of supplements are often
recommended in order to minimize any potential problems that may exist
with daily use for prolonged periods.
Q. Is it okay to use wild oregano oil 6 months of
the year during the winter flu season?
A. I really don't know if oil of oregano use is safe to
use for prolonged periods or whether prolonged oregano use leads to side
effects. Oregano used reasonably, is probably side effect free, but I
prefer taking at least 2 days a week off from an oregano supplement and to
avoid continuous use of oregano for more than 2 months at a time.
Q. Can you tell me about oregano and essential
oils
A. I am still learning about
essential oils
and click the link for more information.
Q. Is Mexican oregano plant different than herbal
oregano plant grown other places?
A. The chemical composition of an herbal plant can be
slightly or moderately different depending on which kind of soil it is
grown in, the type of fertilizer used, sun exposure, temperature, etc.
Q. I am the administrator of a web site on cystic fibrosis. We have had
forums for the past 10 years. I notice the forum members are beginning to
use Oil of Oregano with good results. I wonder if you can point me in a
direction for a study of oil of oregano and people with cystic fibrosis.
A. I have not come across any research regarding the
use of oil of oregano for cystic fibrosis.
Q. I enjoy your site. Just a comment about the
use of oregano in respiratory
ailments. I have a decades-long history of severe sinus infections and
continued to get these 4 or 5 times a year despite surgery to correct a
deviated septum and improve drainage. Needless to say, I was concerned
about
the continued, repeated use of strong antibiotics to address this issue. About 18 months ago a friend recommended oil of oregano to me. After
trying short-term oregano therapy I am happy to report that I have not
needed an antibiotic to cure a sinus infection since discovering this
method. I use Oregacyn (softgels and capsules) 4 times day (one capsule,
one softgel each time). It consistently wipes out sinus infections within
four to five days, and works especially well when combined with a
twice-a-day warm saline sinus rinse with a neti pot or other rinsing
device. The softgels have the equivalent of about 6 drops of wild oregano
oil and I believe this could also be used successfully, though Oregacyn
has a few complementary herbs that may provide some additional benefits.
Oregacyn is not cheap, but it's been a Godsend after all these years of
antibiotic use. I only use it when an infection is present (green gunk),
not on a continuous basis. I have no connection with the manufacturer of
this Oregacyn product but wanted to post a plug for it because it has
really worked
wonderfully for me when conventional medicine had little to offer but
repeated courses of ceftin, augmentin, biaxin ad infinitum.
A. Thank you for sending your anecdote.
Q. Dear Dr. I've read all you write on the Oil of
Oregano and the daily dosage, but how long do we take it for. 10 days, 2
wks, 3 wks. etc. Thank YOU for all you do.
A. There is no right or wrong answer on how to take oil
of oregano. Each person is unique in their requirement depending on what
they treating or preventing or what other supplements they are taking, or
what kind of diet they have. For general immune health maintenance, using
oil of oregano 2 or 3 times a week seems safe.
I will be interested to know if my husband who was just
diagnosed with gleason 6 on one lobe and gleason 7 on other lobe (3+3), (3+4),
could safely use oil of oregano. How many times a week?
I can't give specific advice, but, as a general rule, oil of
oregano is a safe supplement when diluted appropriately according to the
instructions on the bottle, but his doctor would have to approve.
I stumbled upon your website while doing some research
on elderberry supplements after it was recommended by Dr. Oz on tv. I was
worried about bacterial infection which I might have picked up from washing a
sick dog in July 2009. The dog died. I have had numerous blood tests since then
and all come back normal / negative but have had some symptoms (headaches, itchy
acne-like skin bumps on the neck, lactose intolerance, etc). Consequently, the
doctors I have seen are unconcerned and think I am imagining an illness. I think
symptoms usually indicate risk and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure. I don't blood bacteria to eat my brain like it did the dog. So I tried the
elderberry product Sambucol to boost immunity (as well as eating lots of garlic,
cranberry juice, etc) and have also purchased Oil of Oregano which is supposed
to be (according to my internet research) a herbal antibiotic as effective as
the strongest prescription antibiotics. Just curious if you have any advice
about taking the oil of oregano and elderberry - ie. how long should it be
taken, how should the oil be taken - topical or mixed in food, should
acidophilus be taken with it to keep up the "good bacteria", what is "good
bacteria", etc.
These are all good questions and there are no easy answers
since each person may respond differently depending on their age, diet, other
supplements used, other medications taken, etc. Oil of oregano is a good product
for the immune system but it is not as effective as the strongest prescription
antibiotic.
buy Oil of Oregano Supplement
Source Naturals
Oregano Supplement
Facts:
Serving Size 4 Drops
Servings Per Container 275
Amount Per Serving:
Wild Oregano Oil 37.6 mg
(Origanum vulgare herb)
Yielding approximately 22.6 mg of carvacrol
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 70 mg
Purchase Oregano Oil supplement
Suggested Use or dosage : 1 to 4 oil of oregano drops in water, juice or milk once or twice daily.
Oregano oil may also be used topically. Do not use this product undiluted.