When God said in the
Bible that the fruit of trees is good to eat and their leaves
medicinal (Ezekiel 47. 12), he knew what he was talking about. Every
plant has some medicinal properties and many are yet to be
discovered. Indeed, it was only in 1910, that a scientist named W.
H. Martindale documented that the essential oil of oregano is the
most powerful plant-derived antiseptic known. He showed it was 26
times more active as an antiseptic than phenol (a powerful
disinfectant). In 1977, at the second International Congress of
Phytotherapy and Aromatherapy in Monaco, a French doctor named
Belaiche unveiled his Oregano Index that uses Oregano oil as the
base reference to compare the bactericidal action of other
substances. The reason he chose
Oregano Oil is because he determined by rigorous laboratory
experimentation that, out of all natural essential oils, Oregano was
the closest to an ideal antibacterial agent.
He used the
analytical technique of Schroeder and Messing, who measured the
"halo" of bacterial inhibition in millimeters caused by specific
essential oils in a bacterial culture medium maintained in petri
dishes. He tested both the ability of essential oils to inhibit
bacterial growth as well as to kill bacteria. Belaiche also chose to
use bacterial cultures taken from sick persons rather than cultures
grown in laboratories. He tested essential oils on test groups of
bacteria that ranged from 20 to 90 different types such as E Coli,
Candida, Staph, etc. Based on these experiments, Belaiche and other
French doctors developed an "Aromatogramme" or a chart measuring the
halo of inhibition caused by individual essential oils on specific
bacterial cultures. After exhaustive studies he concluded the
following statements:
"This aromatic
essence ( Oregano ) is almost always the leader. Among the most
active oils Oregano is the "best of the best..." The essential oil
of Oregano has always provided me with amazing results in treating
infectious diseases. Besides Oregano oil's bactericidal action, it
also prevents spasms, convulsions and nervous disorders. In my
estimation, the antispasmodic qualities help to synergize its
wonderful antiseptic powers which comforts me everytime I prescribe
it for my patients. It is surprising that Oregano oil has been known
for a long time but is only now being recognized for its therapeutic
powers."
Belaiche and his
collegues devised a standard to determine which oregano oil would
consistently provide therapeutic results. First they determined
there were two constituents of Oregano oil, namely Carvacrol and
Thymol (technically referred to as phenols}, which proved to be
remarkable antibacterial agents. They analyzed Oregano oils from
Spain, Morrocco, Italy, and Albania. They observed variations of
22.4% total of Carvacrol and Thymol in Albanian Oregano oil to 66.5%
in Spanish Oregano oil. After careful study they decided to identify
a maximal therapeutic Oregano oil as containing a phenol total above
50% with a minimum of 40 % Carvacrol and the rest Thymol. During
their tests in the 1970s they chose to work with the Spanish Oregano
in the Labiatae family of plants, specifically called Floribundum
Mumby, or generally classified as Origanum Vulgare. The results of
their studies indicate that therapeutic Oregano oil is distinguished
by its high percentage of Carvacrol in comparison to Thyme plants
which have much more Thymol than Carvacrol. Sometimes different
species of Thyme plants are also called Oregano, but they are not as
active as real Oregano oil nor as safe to use for human internal
consumption.
Impressive results
have been published about Oregano oil's qualities. Back in 1918, a
French scientist named Cavel did research on meat stock cultured in
septic tank water. He found that Thyme oil and Oregano oil in very
small doses were able to destroy and prevent the development of
microbes. In 1992, two researchers at the University of Bologna,
Italy ( Caccioni and Guizzardi) studied the fungicidal effects of
essential oils on harvested fruits and vegetables. They determined
that carvacrol derived from Oregano oil was able to almost
completely inhibit spore development in fruits and vegetables at
very minimal doses.
Traditionally, the
Oregano plant and its essential oil have been used as folk remedies.
In Turkey, where Oregano oil is referred to as "Kekuk Yaguh", it is
commonly used to stop colds and indigestion. One or two drops of the
oil are mixed with hot tea and drunk before bedtime. I personally
have used Oregano oil with great success. After avoiding the dentist
for over ten years, I recently went for a check up. I was feeling
some discomfiture in a tooth that had been covered with a bridge 10
years ago. The dentist announced that he would never have put such a
bridge on that particular tooth. It was a popular technique ten
years ago, but had presented too many problems such as the one I was
experiencing. He suggested taking off the bridge to treat the decay
and do root canal work. He cautioned that taking off the bridge
might result in cracking the tooth and losing it. I am sure many of
you have felt the frustration of sitting in the chair with the
dentist staring at you with devastating news. My only thought was,
"Let me get out of here and try something natural." After careful
thought, I decided to try Oregano oil which I had heard about as
being the most powerful antiseptic essential oil known. Effectively,
the infection was advanced and often painful, with frequent
eruptions of foul smelling pus that I cleaned away with a toothpick.
I began to apply the Oregano oil at least ten times a day under the
bridge into the decayed part of the tooth. After one week the pain
and pus stopped. It has been almost six months now and I have not
felt any discomfiture or pain from this tooth.
The name Oregano is
derived from the Greek origanos, meaning "delight of the mountains."
Medicinal oregano grows wild in mountainous areas of Greece and
Turkey often growing out of rock clusters. Such wild oregano is
incredibly rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron,
potassium, copper, boron, and manganese besides vitamin C, A and
niacin. Using the Turkish variety of Oregano as a spice can be a
very medicinal addition to salads, soups and other dishes.
Because Oregano oil
is so powerful, it is wise to dilute it with olive oil or other
suitable comestible oils for internal use. When using on skin, again
dilute it with a carrier oil so that it does not sting the skin.
Oregano oil can be used for skin conditions such as athletes foot. A
mixture of four drops Oregano oil in a half ounce of apple cider
vinegar is an ideal treatment for this condition. Other skin
conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne can be improved or
eliminated with Oregano oil diluted with colloidal silver water or a
carrier oil. For intestinal gas and digestive problems, as well as
sore throat, Oregano oil can be taken internally. One to four drops
a day under the tongue or diluted with juice can be ingested.
Candida and other fungal infections can also be kept in check or
eliminated with the topical and internal use of Oregano oil.
Obviously, this oil and herb can be used for an extensive number of
ailments.
There is an Arab
proverb that states, "He who made the door and the lock also made a
key to open the lock." The Oregano plant and oil are one of the keys
given to us by the Almighty to alleviate the frequent pain and
suffering of this mortal body.
