
For
over 4,000 years of man's history, the ancient herb
Oregano has been used by healers world wide to treat
a wide variety of ailments, and to strengthen man's
ability to fight off illness. It has powerful bacteria
and fungi killing properties, as well as being used
as a painkiller and anti-inflammatory.
The
ancient Greeks were among the first to take advantage
of oregano's medicinal qualities. The Greeks termed
the spice origanos, meaning "delight of the mountains."
Those who have visited Greece, where oregano covers
the hillsides and scents the summer air, would probably
agree with this name. The sweet, spicy scent of Oregano
was reputedly created by the Goddess Aphrodite as a
symbol of happiness. Bridal couples were crowned with
garlands of oregano, and the plants were placed on the
tombs to give peace to departed spirits.
Oregano
is one of the most diverse health aides available.
Researchers have uncovered numerous benefits to using
oregano and extracted oil of oregano. But buyer beware,
these significant health benefits are unattainable if
the oregano is not the true substance. Although there
are a wide variety of plants that are confused with
oregano (including marjoram, thyme and sage), true oregano
grows wild in Mediterranean regions such as Greece.
The wild oregano is the source of surprisingly potent
oil of oregano.
True
oil of oregano offers many exciting remedies to a variety
of ailments. In Herbal Renaissance, Steven Foster
credits oregano as having "been employed to treat indigestion,
diarrhea, nervous tension, insect bites, toothache,
earache rheumatism, and coughs due to whooping cough
and bronchitis (primarily for it's antispasmodic effects)."
In The
Cure is in the Cupboard, Cass Ingram, D.O., has
written a book that is dedicated to unveiling the health
benefits of oregano and oil of oregano. He notes that
"wild oregano is a veritable a natural mineral treasure-house,
containing a density of minerals that would rival virtually
any food."
The
wild oregano is rich in a long list of minerals that
includes calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium,
copper, boron, and manganese. Vitamins C and A (beta
carotene) and niacin also are contained in oregano.
Judging from its mineral content alone, it isn't hard
to figure out why oregano is such a valuable commodity.
Consider some of oregano's other useful purposes and
it becomes even more obvious.
"Oregano
is one of Nature's finest preservatives." states
Ingram in another book, Supermarket Remedies.
The author suggests that if oregano is used with foods
such as meat, eggs, milk, or salad, you "will greatly
halt the growth of microbes and, thus, reduce the risk
for food poisoning."
The
key element in oregano is the oil, which Foster points
out "contains carvacrol and thymol as the primary
components." Foster attributes the "fungicidal
and worm-expellant properties" of oil of oregano
to carvacrol and thymol. "These two phenols may constitute
as much as 90% of (the oil)."
However,
Ingram adds that these two phenols work synergistically
and that is the reason "oil of oregano packs a double
punch in antiseptic power and explains why it is infinitely
more potent than commercial phenol in microbial killing
power."
All
of this helps make oregano oil a significant factor
in treating internal and external fungi including athletes
foot. Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can
be improved with the treatment as well. Ingram explains
the astonishing discovery that "oil of oregano outright
destroys all variety of fungi and yeasts, regardless
of where they reside."
In addition
to fighting various fungi, oil of oregano is useful
against bacteria and parasites. As Ingram asserts, "oil
of oregano's antiseptic powers are immense...it inhibits
the growth of the majority of bacteria, something that
prescription antibiotics fail to accomplish." In
the case of parasites, oil of oregano has had success
neutralizing worms, amoebae and protozoans.
Additional
uses for oregano and oil of oregano are unlimited. They
have been found helpful in combating diarrhea, intestinal
gas, and digestive problems, as well as sore throat
and breathing difficulties. Oil of oregano can be immediate
help against bee stings and many venomous bites until
medical attention can be reached. Oil of oregano has
even been suggested as a treatment for dandruff, diaper
rash, and other skin disorders.
The
benefits of oregano have gone largely unnoticed and
underpublicized for far too long. As Ingram notes, oregano
is "one of the world's finest natural medicines,
that is if it's true oregano." So while oregano
may hold the answer for a number of your health questions,
be sure that it is in fact the real thing. Remember,
these remedies are only attributed to genuine oregano
and oil of oregano. Nonetheless, their values are much
too important to overlook. Oregano may just be the thing
you are searching for, or maybe didn't realize was available.
Many
studies are discovering that Oregano, the "pizza herb",
is a powerful antioxidant. The compound in Oregano,
rosmarinic acid, has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant and antiviral properties. Of all the plants
in the mint family, Oregano is the richest in antioxidants.
Oregano
may help prevent the cell damage caused by free radicals--highly
unstable oxygen molecules that steal electrons from
other molecules they find. Free radical reactions are
most likely involved in inflammation, degenerative arthritis
and the aging process in general. Evidence is growing
that antioxidants may help relieve osteoarthritis and
rheumatism.
Oregano
also contains four anti-asthmatic compounds; six compounds
that are expectorants; seven that lower blood pressure;
nineteen antibacterial compounds and up to 8.8 percent
bactericidal compounds.
Loaded
with antiseptic compounds, Oregano is useful in treating
sinusitis; try a tea and inhale as you drink.
Make
a tea by using one to two teaspoons of dried oregano
per cup of boiling water.
According
to Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables
and Herbs, Oregano helps reduce fevers and relieve
cramps, bronchitis, childhood diseases such as measles
and mumps, and irregular menstruations. Make this tea:
bring a pint of water to a boil. Remove from heat and
add one teaspoon of Oregano. Stir well, cover and let
steep for about half an hour. Strain and it can be refrigerated.
Warming only slightly that amount to be consumed, one
cup two to three times daily.
The following is
an excerpt from Dr.
Cass Igram's book "The
Cure is in the Cupboard"
"Infectious disease and Oil of Oregano"
A microbe is described in
the dictionary as a minute form of life. A microorganism
is one that causes disease. We are surrounded by an infinite
number of microorganisms. We tend to think of them as
something outside the body, but if truth be known, the
number of microbes residing in the body would be shocking.These
microbes or microorganisms have a critical influence on
our health. Infectious diseases are responsible for many
of our modern day diseases, disabilities and deaths. Most
of the hospital visits are infection related and more
than 90% of doctor visits are due to infections.
While the major cause of
death in this country is degenerative diseases, infectious
diseases are the major cause world wide. However, between
the 1600's to the early 1900's, a large number of deaths
were infection related. For example in the early 1900's
several million people died from a flu epidemic. In that
same era, other killers such as cholera, diphteria, tuberculosis,
small pox, typhus, pertussis, hepatitis, shigella and
amebic dysentery claimed many lives.
In the 1940's, we see a dramatic
reduction of these untimely deaths due to improved sanitation
and nutrition and the advent of antibiotics. Yet infections
still kill even in spite of the advances in moderm medicine.
The latest statistics show that the number of infection
related deaths have risen by 60% between 1980-1992. It
is expected that at this rate, by the year 2000, infectious
diseases will rival heart disease and cancer as a primary
cause of death.
Many viruses and bacteria
have become immune to the current arsenal of antibiotics.
There is no drug available that is guaranteed to cure
any of the major infectious diseases. In fact, drugs,
particularly antibiotics, have aggravated the dilemma.
The widespread use of antibiotics have created mutant
resistant microbes and because these microbes alter their
genetics, they have become immune to the antobotic.
These mutants are a major
cause of severe illness in western culture. These genetically
altered microbes are not only able to resist the antibotic,
but they are also able to invade the immune system. Some
bacteria are even able to digest the drug and use it for
fuel. They are extremely difficult to kill.
The diseases that result
can be life threatening. The "Hippocrates" magazine quotes
that 130,000 hospitalized patients in this country die
each year due to antibiotic resistant microbes. In "Germs
that won't die" by Lappe tens of thousands of Americans
who have never had a serious infection develop one simply
by entering a hospital as a patient or a visitor. Millions
of people lose their health or lives from infections which
could be potentially cured if physicians only knew about
the antiseptics of nature.
Many people are also allergic
to antibiotics. Some reactions are sudden and often severe.
Many have died or have suffered serious damage to their
immune system and/or internal organs. Americans spend
thousands of dollars on antibotics. Sadly, this is not
money well spent. Most of the drugs are ultimately ineffective
and tend to aggravate the illness. There are several reasons
why.
Antibiotics create mutant
microbes. These mutants continue to cause trouble and
do not respond to treatment. Antibiotics also destroy
the friendly bacteria that perform useful functions, i.e.,
Lactobacillus acidophilus. These friendly bacteria aid
the immune system and help prevent infection. Drug toxicity
is another problem arising from the widespread use of
drugs.
Some drugs such as aminoglycosides,
erythromycin and tetrecyclines damage vital organs such
as the liver, bone marrow and kidneys. Antibiotics are
a regular cause of hepatitis, inflammatory damage to the
liver. Antibiotics have their place, but they are prescribed
excessively and this has led to a much more serious and
dangerous health crisis.
Incredibly, drug companies
are investigating the use of natural substances in the
treatment of infectious diseases. Before the advent of
penicillin, such substances as sulfur, garlic, ginger,
goldenseal, Echinacea, thyme, camphor and horseradish
were commonly used as natural antiseptics.
A look back at history either
to a museum or an old pharmacy will reveal that natural
medicines were the mainstay and served as such for over
200 years. Many physicians and herbalists for years used
these natural substances to fight infections and microbial
resistance was not a problem.
We must once again return
to our natural resources to eradicate the enormous number
of infectious diseases including those which are now resistant
to antibiotics. Synthetic drugs are unreliable and are
responsible for complicating the sickness. Side effects
are numerous and often severe and lead to a host of new
problems which then might require treatment. Natural antobiotics
are essentially non toxic.
Oil of Oregano is
a premier antiseptic and contains a wide range of antimicrobial
powers. It is unequaled in its ability to kill a wide
range of microbes and it does not promote microbial resistance.
The oil is derived from certain species of oregano plants,
similar to what is grown in herb gardens. Its odor or
fragrance is pugnant and its flowers are quite colorful.
This is not to be compared
to what we find in the spice section of the grocery store
or in Italian foods. Oregano, as we know it, is not the
same medicinally. You won't achieve the desired results
by eating pizza or spaghetti.
The oil is derived from a
unique species of plant that grows throughout the world.
The oregano is rich in essential oil and is processed
in a special type of distillation. This procedure ensures
minimal alteration of the active ingredients and the curative
properties are preserved. The result is an amber colored
liquid which has a powerful and hot tasting flavor. Its
odor is similar to camphor. It takes 200 pounds of herb
to produce 2 pounds of oil. It is difficult and expensive
to produce.
The premier features of
this product are:
- its valuable inflammatory actions
- can neutralize a wide range of spiders, scorpions, bees,
ants and snake bites and stings
- natural antiseptic, can treat various painful lesions
and pain disorders
- mucolytic, helps to mobilize and thin mucous, useful
in lung disorders
- antitussive, halts cough and eases spasticity of the
lung tubules
- antispasmodic, obliterates tightness and spasms of muscles
- its greatest attribute is its antimicrobial property
Some of the infectious diseases
are; staph/strep, E. Coli, veneral disease, salmonella,
cholera, typhus, flesh eating bacteria, camphylobacter,
dysentery, mycoplasma, Epstein Barr, HIV Heliobacter,
herpes, colds, flu, hepatitis, tuberculosis, Lyme, Shigella,
Candida, Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, Meningoccoccus,
Encephalitic virus, dengue and hantavirus. They can strike
at anytime. Not only is it the epitome of distess to contact
one of these diseases, many of them are fatal and have
nomedical cure.
What is little known is that
in addition to the acute infections, many chronic diseases
are also caused by infections. Diseases including arthritis,
cancer, fibromyalgia, lupus, ulcerative colitis, chronic
fatigue syndrom, rosacea, gastritis, and Chron's disease
are not usually correctly treated. Antibiotics will not
work for these conditions, rather, it is the natural antiseptic
and nutritional therepies that are the answer."