[Carolyn (OP)]

Thanks for all of this info Iko!

[iko]

Thanks to you, Carolyn,
for starting this topic!
Now we know why in warm countries
they put all those spices in their foods!
Apparently 'we' prefer synthetic compounds
to preserve our foodstuff...

ikod

   
http://www.quornforlife.co.uk/images/pic_rainbow_delight.jpg
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/278853/2/istockphoto_278853_culinary_delight.jpg

[iko]

Allow me a short note from a commercial website.
A scam? Pure fantasy? Just solid crap?
Let's leave it open, once in a while...
We are all grown-ups and have been around:

Positive evidence is slowly coming out from scientific literature
after ages of total ignorance about this issue.
Well, Gentlemen, until we find negative reports from official studies,
we are certainly allowed to think that something really good may hide here.

The Cure is in the Cupboard 

     
  Wild Oregano cures many ills, says doctor 
 
Dying from a fungus infection in his blood American physician Dr Cass Ingram claims that pure wild oregano was the only thing that saved his life.

According to Dr Ingram, a surgeon and nutrition expert, oregano is the "herb superb" and one of the most important natural medications you need in your medicine cabinet. He recently published a book entitled "The cure is in the cupboard : how to use oregano for better health" which describes anti-septic, anti-biotic and anti-pain uses of the herb and oil of wild oregano.
Dr Ingram explains how to heal sore throats by gargling with the oil in salt water, curing acne by mixing the oil into facial soap, stopping diarrhoea by drinking a few drops of oil in a juice, opening sinuses instantly by inhaling the oil vapours from a bottle, relieving headaches with a few drops of the oil rubbed on the forehead and scalp, and using oregano capsules to help asthma sufferers. And move out of the way E. Coli, salmonella and lice - Dr Ingram says that oregano will eradicate them!
 
Ingram was accidentally stuck with a used IV needle several years ago while working. "For a doctor, that can be a catastrophe, l slipped into a state of health and had to close my clinic" he recalled, breaking out in psoriasis and being too weak to walk, often having to crawl to the cupboard for medication. His body temperature dropped to 94.2 degrees and touching his skin was he said like touching a corpse.

"A kind soul brought me oregano oil and said try it, l took some each day but it was not enough, but then l started to investigate it and found that the wild herb of oregano was available in the Mediterranean region and having relatives there asked them to pick some and send it to me in the America".
...
natural herbs and spices can cure ailments and true wild oregano is one of the most powerful.
...
for more reading click down here:

http://www.oliveleaf.co.uk/acatalog/info_cupboard.html

[Carolyn (OP)]

IKO - Oh WOW! I have been playing around a little with the oregano oil since your last post.  Last night - I had 2 pimples starting to form under the skin, the were quite sore.  I put a drop of oregano oil on before bed, this morning they were gone.

Just a few minute ago my head was throbbing at my left temple.  I put a drop on and rubbed it in - the headache is really gone.  Last night hubby and I got food poisoning - we think thats what it is.... we're better, but still a little quesy.  I took 2 drops in water...I'll let you know later if it helped.   The only problem so far is the smell.  Pewwww.

[iko]

Enjoy your experiments!
I hope we are by far lower than
the oregano oil LD50...
(Lethal Dose in 50% tested)

ikod  

http://home.online.no/~kgroenn/disney/sverdistenen/merlin06.gif

[iko]

Which are the main chemical
components in oregano oil?

http://www.spectroscopynow.com/FCKeditor/UserFiles/Image/spectroscopyNOW_ezines_2005/Journal_Articles/chinese_herbal_medicine_cabinet_230021105.jpg

Analysis on the volatile oil in Origanum vulgare
[Article in Chinese]

Tian H, Lai DM.
Guangxi College of TCM, Nanning 530001, China.

OBJECTIVE:
To analysis compositions of the volatile oil in Origanum vulgare.
METHODS:
GC-MS condition: using programmed temperature gas chromatography cinitial temperature was 60 degrees C, and then raising the temperature (5 degrees C/min) to 240 degrees C, mass-to-electric charge ratio was 10 to 425.
RESULTS:
GC-MS identified 29 kinds of contents.

CONCLUSION: Thymol and carvacrol are main compositions of the volatile oil in Origanum vulgare.

Zhong Yao Cai. 2006 Sep;29(9):920-1.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/9/94/Thymol.jpg
http://www.herbalchem.net/images/Slide11.jpg
http://www.cheric.org/kdb/kdb/hcprop/molimg/883.gif

[iko]

A good reading for the Oregano Oil fanatics Club...
Never forget that applications in agriculture may
come much before a specific medical interest:

Oregano essential oil
   
http://www.ecopharm.gr/oil4.JPG
http://www.ecopharm.gr/orig3.JPG

click here to read:   http://www.ecopharm.gr/R_c_oil.html

[iko]

Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant staphylococci to oregano essential oil, carvacrol and thymol.
Nostro A, Blanco AR, Cannatelli MA, Enea V, Flamini G, Morelli I, Sudano Roccaro A, Alonzo V.Dipartimento Farmaco-Biologico, Sezione Microbiologia, Facolt�  di Farmacia, Universit�  di Messina, Villaggio Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy. atnostro@pharma.unime.it

The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MSS, MRS) to oregano essential oil, carvacrol and thymol.
The commercial aerial parts of Origanum vulgare L. were hydrodistilled and the essential oil analysed by gas- chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometry. The inhibition efficacy of this essence and its major components was assayed against 26 MSS and 21 MRS, using an agar dilution method. The methicillin resistance was thoroughly typed by Epsilometer test (E-test), polymerase chain reaction for mecA gene detection and PBP2' latex agglutination test. The results clearly demonstrated that the comparison between the susceptibility of MSS and MRS to oregano oil, carvacrol and thymol showed no significant differences (Fisher's exact test, P > 0.05). The best minimum inhibitory concentration values were reported for carvacrol (0.015-0.03%, v/v) followed by thymol (0.03-0.06%, v/v) and oregano oil (0.06-0.125%, v/v).

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2004 Jan 30;230(2):191-5.

[iko]

A 'new' antioxidant effect from oregano
aqueous extract (tea!) and beneficial
effects on humans?  A study from Europe (Croatia).
You never know.  []

The effects of essential oils and aqueous tea infusions of oregano
(Origanum vulgare L. spp. hirtum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.)
on the copper-induced oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins.

Kulisić T, Krisko A, Dragović-Uzelac V, Milos M, Pifat G.
Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Split, Croatia. tea@ktf-split.hr

In this study, the antioxidative capacity effect of essential oils and aqueous tea infusions obtained from oregano, thyme and wild thyme on the oxidation susceptibility of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) has been studied. The results indicate a dose-dependent protective effect of the tested essential oils and aqueous tea infusions on the copper-induced LDL oxidation. The protective effect of essential oils is assigned to the presence of phenolic monoterpenes, thymol and carvacrol, which are identified as the dominant compounds in these essential oils. The strong protective effect of aqueous tea infusions is proposed to be the consequence of large amounts of polyphenols, namely rosmarinic acid and flavonoids (quercetin, eriocitrin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, apigenin), with the most pronounced effect in the case of oregano. These findings may have implications for the effect of these compounds on LDL in vivo.

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2007 Mar;58(2):87-93.

[iko]

Origano is safe and cheap for food packaging:

Combination of analytical and microbiological techniques to study the antimicrobial activity
 of a new active food packaging containing cinnamon or oregano against E. coli and S. aureus.

Becerril R, Gómez-Lus R, Goñi P, López P, Nerín C.Lab Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, c/Domingo Miral s/n, Zaragoza, Spain.

The aim of this work is the optimization and application of a group of analytical and microbiological techniques in the study of the activity of essential oils (EOs) incorporated in a new antimicrobial packaging material and the research in depth of the interaction between the microbial cells and the individual compounds present in the active material. For this purpose the antimicrobial activity of the active packaging containing cinnamon or oregano was evaluated against E. coli and S. aureus. The vapour phase activity and the direct contact between the antimicrobial agents themselves, or once incorporated in the packaging material, and the microbial cells have been studied. The direct contact was studied using a broth dilution method. The vapour phase was evaluated by using a new method which involves the use of a filter disk containing the EOs. Furthermore, the kill time assay was used to determine the exposure time for the maximum efficiency in packaging, and transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the antimicrobial activity and the possible mechanism of action against E. coli and S. aureus. Finally, the compounds absorbed by cells were identified. The results showed that the techniques used provide relevant information about the antibacterial activity of cinnamon and oregano in direct contact as well as in the vapour phase.
The antimicrobial packaging showed a fast efficiency which supports its likely application as a food packaging material. Bacteria treated with EOs exhibit a wide range of significant abnormalities; these include formation of blebs, coagulation of cytoplasmatic constituents, collapse of the cell structure and lack of cytoplasmatic material. Some of these observations are correlated to the ability of some of these substances to disrupt envelop structure, especially the inner membrane. After an extraction from dead cells, cinnamaldehyde was detected by GC-MS in E. coli exposed to the active packaging containing cinnamon.

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2007 Jul;388(5-6):1003-11. Epub 2007 Jun 6.

http://www.eons.com/images/cms/7467_image_file_1.jpg

[Gurugirl]

I read this thread with great interest, renewed actually.  I bought oregano oil awhile back when searching for a cure for my acne ..... I just tried to find my bottle with no luck (darn it) as I'd like to try it again for some other things you mentioned (in particular a 3-week headache).  I took drops in water for acne but I couldn't tolerate the taste.  I never thought of using it in my facial cleanser.  I now will have to buy more and give it a try.  Thanks for all the info! []

[iko]

Hi Gurugirl,

I don't know if acne is an indication to give oregano oil a try.
Actually I'm pretty sure it is NOT. You better think again!
If you could not tolerate it orally, you might have heavy contact dermatitis by applying an unproper dilution to your skin.
Read more and get better informed: this seems to be powerful stuff, even in terms of negative side effects.
There are plenty of remedies for acne, please use the 'search' option in this forum to find many threads and possible alternative treatments.
Take care

ikod

[iko]

...why not giving
'Liquid Sunshine'
a try?

 []

Vitamin D and the skin: an ancient friend, revisited.

Reichrath J.
Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany. hajrei@uniklinik-saarland.de

Most vertebrates need vitamin D to develop and maintain a healthy mineralized skeleton. However, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)], the biologically active vitamin D metabolite, exerts a multitude of important physiological effects independent from the regulation of calcium and bone metabolism. We know today that the skin has a unique role in the human body's vitamin D endocrine system. It is the only site of vitamin D photosynthesis, and has therefore a central role in obtaining a sufficient vitamin D status. Additionally, the skin has the capacity to synthesize the biologically active vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), and represents an important target tissue for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). In keratinocytes and other cell types, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) regulates growth and differentiation. Consequently, vitamin D analogues have been introduced for the treatment of the hyperproliferative skin disease psoriasis. Recently, sebocytes were identified as 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-responsive target cells, indicating that vitamin D analogues may be effective in the treatment of acne. Other new functions of vitamin D analogues include profound effects on the immune system as well as in various tissues protection against cancer and other diseases, including autoimmune and infectious diseases. It can be speculated that the investigation of biological effects of vitamin D analogues will lead to new therapeutic applications that, besides cancer prevention, may include the prevention and treatment of infectious as well as of inflammatory skin diseases. Additionally, it can be assumed that dermatological recommendations on sun protection and health campaigns for skin cancer prevention will have to be re-evaluated to guarantee a sufficient vitamin D status.

Exp Dermatol. 2007 Jul;16(7):618-25.

http://www.zabriskiepoint.net/files/little%20miss%20sunshine.JPG

[iko]

Oregano essential oil:
talking about 'natural' additives!

Combined effect of oregano essential oil and modified atmosphere packaging
on shelf-life extension of fresh chicken breast meat, stored at 4 degrees C.

Chouliara E, Karatapanis A, Savvaidis IN, Kontominas MG.
Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Food Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece.

The combined effect of oregano essential oil (0.1% and 1% w/w) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (30% CO2/70% N2 and 70% CO2/30% N2) on shelf-life extension of fresh chicken meat stored at 4 degrees C was investigated. The parameters that were monitored were: microbiological (TVC, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Enterobacteriaceae), physico-chemical (pH, TBA, color) and sensory (odor and taste) attributes. Microbial populations were reduced by 1-5 log cfu/g for a given sampling day, with the more pronounced effect being achieved by the combination of MAP and oregano essential oil. TBA values for all treatments remained lower than 1 mg malondialdehyde (MDA) kg(-1) throughout the 25-day storage period. pH values varied between 6.4 (day 0) and 5.9 (day 25). The values of the color parameters L*, a* and b* were not considerably affected by oregano oil or by MAP. Finally, sensory analysis showed that oregano oil at a concentration of 1% imparted a very strong taste to the product for which reason these lots of samples were not scored.
On the basis of sensory evaluation a shelf-life extension of breast chicken meat by ca. 3-4 days for samples containing 0.1% oregano oil, 2-3 days for samples under MAP and 5-6 days for samples under MAP containing 0.1% of oregano oil was attained. Thus oregano oil and MAP exhibited an additive preservation effect.

Food Microbiol. 2007 Sep;24(6):607-17. Epub 2007 Jan 12.

[iko]

...and 'natural' preservative for our food:

Application of Origanum majorana L. essential oil as an antimicrobial agent in sausage.

Busatta C, Vidal RS, Popiolski AS, Mossi AJ, Dariva C, Rodrigues MR, Corazza FC, Corazza ML, Vladimir Oliveira J, Cansian RL.Department of Food Engineering, URI-Campus de Erechim, Av. Sete de Setembro 1621, CEP 99700-000, Erechim, RS, Brazil.

This work reports on the antimicrobial activity in fresh sausage of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) essential oil against several species of bacteria. The in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 10 selected aerobic heterotrophic bacterial species. The antimicrobial activity of distinct concentrations of the essential oil based on the highest MIC value was tested in a food system comprising fresh sausage. Batch food samples were also inoculated with a fixed concentration of Escherichia coli and the time course of the product was evaluated with respect to the action of the different concentrations of essential oil. Results showed that addition of marjoram essential oil to fresh sausage exerted a bacteriostatic effect at oil concentrations lower than the MIC, while a bactericidal effect was observed at higher oil concentrations which also caused alterations in the taste of the product.

Food Microbiol. 2008 Feb;25(1):207-11. Epub 2007 Jul 28.

http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2006/06/19/grilledpizzawithhotsausage_e.jpg

[iko]

Wow!!!   []



The apoptotic and anti-proliferative activity of Origanum majorana extracts on human leukemic cell line.

Abdel-Massih RM, Fares R, Bazzi S, El-Chami N, Baydoun E.

Department of Biology, University of Balamand, Al-Koura, Lebanon.

Scientists are constantly searching for phytochemicals and compounds with anti-cancer and antioxidant activity. In this study, the anti-proliferative activity of plant extracts from Origanum majorana (marjoram) was tested on human lymphoblastic leukemia cell line Jurkat. Cytotoxicity was examined using non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay and the IC(50) was calculated. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, the viability of cells decreased with increase of concentration of plant extract. The anti-proliferative effect was also found to be dose-dependent. Analysis via flow cytometry shows that marjoram extracts stimulated apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis was caused by an up-regulation of p53 protein levels and down-regulation of Bcl-2alpha. Marjoram exhibited a strong scavenging activity (SC(50)=0.03mg dry weight). The conclusions from this study suggest that marjoram extracts exhibit anti-proliferative effect and high antioxidant activity. For that it merits further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent.

Leuk Res. 2009 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

[kilgorethecat]

I used to take wild, dried oregano in capsules along with grapefruit seed extract in orange juice for toothaches when I was younger.  Never had to take an antibiotic again, and the dentist was amazed that my cavities "disappeared."

[iko]

Hi kilgorethecat,

Thanks for your contribution!
I just found plenty of 'stuff' in the oregano-cavities connection...

http://foreverlivinghealth.com/strategies-for-successful-living/Oil%20of%20Oregano.pdf

We might see more in the future, even from official research. Maybe.

ikod

[kilgorethecat]

From personal experience I find it to be useful, but I also took it in conjunction with GSE.  I cannot be sure which may have helped the most.

[kilgorethecat]

Also, whoever wrote that may want to consider "dumbing it down" a bit less...

"Furthermore, due to the number of compounds within Oregano Oil, its
“complexity” does not allow for the development of resistant germs (a.k.a.
“super bugs”)."

Oregano Oil's "complexity" of multiple "compounds" probably has a lot in "common" with "toxins" that have multiple "compounds" that do not "allow" resistant germs to "develop." 

COME ON.  Super Bugs???