Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.
In this time of antibiotic resistant diseases, many natural
minded people are looking for holistic ways to prevent and treat common
ailments which usually should not require prescriptions.
Essential oils are one of those useful tools. In this
article we will examine oregano oil. What are its’ uses, composition, benefits,
causative actions, safety and side effects.
First of all, oregano oil is derived from the leaves and
flowers of the oregano plant, an herb belonging to the mint family. There are
many varieties of the plant, but the most therapeutically beneficial variety is
found to be origanum vulgare, from the Mediterranean regions. Be careful where you buy your oils. Oregano oil from
cheap suppliers may not even use the most effective plant to extract their
oils.
Oregano oil is high in phytochemical compounds called
phenols. They are natural, beneficial antioxidants. The two most abundant ones
are thymol and carvacrol. Thymol is a natural fungicide with antiseptic
properties. It boosts your immune system, shields against toxins, and helps
prevent tissue damage while supporting healing. Carvacrol has antibacterial
properties against some of the most dangerous bacteria including: candida
albicans, staph, e-coli, campylobacter, salmonella, klebsiella, giardia,
pseudomonas and listeria.
Oregano oil has other helpful compounds like terpenes,
rosmarinic acid, narirgin and beta –caryophyllin (E-BCP). All have various
properties helpful to killing off bad bacteria.
The benefits of oregano oil are wide ranging in the body,
but are mostly associated with respiratory and immune system benefits. It can
help prevent and treat urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, yeast
infections and MRSA.
Adding oregano oil to foods helps prevent food-borne illness
by killing bacteria. It may also help alleviate food poisoning symptoms.
On top of being highly effective in fighting infections, it
also has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties; treating foot and
toenail fungus, killing parasites and alleviating sinus infections and colds.
You can also add oregano oil to your natural home cleaning
mixtures. It works to ward off insects, and relieve bug bites. Oregano oil can
be used to enhance treatment for cold sores, and other skin conditions. It can
help ease a sore throat by simply diluting a few drops in water and gargling.
Its action on microbes comes from the phenols it possesses.
The carvacrol breaks the outer membranes of the bacteria that helps protect it
from your immune system. Oregano oil is best used in short bursts of 7 – 10
days, and in small doses of 4-6 drops with a carrier oil.
The only side effects
may be upset stomach or allergic reactions. If not diluted properly, oregano
oil can have a burning sensation when applied to the skin or taken orally.
Oregano oil is not advisable for infants and small children or during pregnancy
or lactation. It has the ability to induce menstruation which is dangerous to
the unborn child, obviously.
Now that you know the benefits, do some research on how best
to apply it to your situation. Any help from natural sources should always be
welcomed.