Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 19/10/2016 15:53:02

Title: Would inhaling oregano oil help emphysema?
Post by: thedoc on 19/10/2016 15:53:02

Roy Mode asked the Naked Scientists:
   I was reading about Oregano.  I have emphysema and copd.  How much oregano do you put in the nebulizer?  Is the oregano oil the only thing you put in the nebulizer?  This won't hurt me?
What do you think?

Title: Re: Would inhaling oregano oil help emphysema?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/10/2016 16:31:13

I doubt it would do you any good.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregano#Oregano_oil

Check with a doctor  before you try this.
Also, pure oil will almost certainly wreck the nebuliser.

Title: Re: Would inhaling oregano oil help emphysema?
Post by: exothermic on 20/10/2016 23:01:43

Pointless.

Title: Re: Would inhaling oregano oil help emphysema?
Post by: exothermic on 21/10/2016 00:34:02

If you're interested in actual efficacy....

N-acetylcysteine [NAC]

Influence of N-acetylcysteine on chronic bronchitis or COPD exacerbations: a meta-analysis
http://err.ersjournals.com/content/24/137/451

~

Title: Re: Would inhaling oregano oil help emphysema?
Post by: Colin2B on 21/10/2016 09:15:30

Quote from: thedoc on 19/10/2016 15:53:02

How much oregano do you put in the nebulizer?  Is the oregano oil the only thing you put in the nebulizer?  This won't hurt me?
What do you think?

I think dangerous.
Breathing atomised/finely divided oil can coat the lungs an impair breathing. Mechanics are warned of the danger of using an airline to clean oily machine parts.
With most 'inhaled' oils the oil is put into a bowl of hot water and only the vapour is inhaled.

Title: Re: Would inhaling oregano oil help emphysema?
Post by: exothermic on 21/10/2016 11:02:16

Quote from: Colin2B on 21/10/2016 09:15:30

Quote from: thedoc on 19/10/2016 15:53:02

How much oregano do you put in the nebulizer?  Is the oregano oil the only thing you put in the nebulizer?  This won't hurt me?
What do you think?

I think dangerous.
Breathing atomised/finely divided oil can coat the lungs an impair breathing. Mechanics are warned of the danger of using an airline to clean oily machine parts.
With most 'inhaled' oils the oil is put into a bowl of hot water and only the vapour is inhaled.

And that's not even taking into consideration the unknown impurities  that could be inhaled.