Oregano ** Some Studies

[Guest guest]

Hi y'all,

 

Last one .. ;-p

 

And on 24 January 1999, somebody wrote: " Cellulite? Anyone understand

the use of Oregano oil, one book mentioned it in a blend for cellulite. "

 

And I replied .. giving far less than I have now and far less than I'm

willing to give now .. ;-p Butch

--

Valerie Ann Worwood, in " The Complete Book of Essential Oils &

Aromatherapy, " suggests a six-point plan of actions against cellulite:

Increase blood circulation by skin brushing, exercise, massage every

day, put EOs in the bath, breathing exercises and relaxation.

 

She says the " General Fat Attack " oils are, orange, basil, lavender,

grapefruit, rosemary, sage, thyme, pettigraine, lime and lemongrass.

 

She writes that the " Diuretic Fat Attack " oils are, fennel, celery,

grapefruit, OREGANO. cypress, lemon and juniper.

 

For baths, she recommends a number of synergistic blends - two of these

contain OREGANO. She also lists OREGANO in one of her formulas for

massage oil for dieters.

 

She also recommends rosemary and lemon teas for dieting and loss of

cellulite.

 

She recommends the use of OREGANO EO for bronchitis, viral infections,

rheumatism, respiratory problems, muscular pain and digestive problems.

 

Susan Worwood, in " Essential Aromatherapy: A Pocket Guide to Essential

Oils & Aromatherapy, " states generally that essential oils are extremely

effective for cellulite reduction, which is a detoxification procedure,

and because some essential oils can quicken the production of body

cells. I have read in more than one source that OREGANO does assist in

the production of body cells - so do we want to make a supposition?

 

Maggie Tisserand, in " Aromatherapy for Women, " suggests a thigh slimmer

massage oil made from a carrier, cypress and juniper.

 

Valerie Cooksley, in " Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing With

Essential Oils, " suggests diet, exercise, detoxification, excellent

elimination and caring for yourself as crucial elements for dealing with

cellulite problems.

 

But, as an anti-cellulite lotion and anti-cellulite bath oil, she lists

cypress, lemon, juniper and lavender - and as an anti-cellulite (detox)

tea she lists red clover, peppermint, fennel seed, parsley & dandelion.

I'll also point out that I haven't found any case where she or Maggie

Tisserand (in AT For Women) recommends use of OREGANO - though both

recommend Origanum marjorana. I'm guessing that the writers didn't like

OREGANO and so, substituted marjoram (which is in fact, an OREGANO.)

 

Some folks will tell you that OREGANO is too harsh due to the high level

of carvacrol, so you should use marjoram. I think that's hogwash! I

will tell you that wild marjoram has higher levels of carvacrol than

most types of OREGANO - I see if routinely here in Turkey where the

Creator decided to let them both grow wild.

 

I would NEVER suggest Cooksley and Tisserand didn't know the difference

and I AM NOT saying that - but I will strongly suggest that MOST people

DON'T - to include some of the authors of books on herbs and spices.

They normally heap marjoram and OREGANO together as if O. marjorana and

O. vulgare were the same plant. One such book is John Heinerman's,

" Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs & Spices, " which lists O. vulgare and O.

marjorana in the same explanation where in fact, they're very different.

 

To burst another bubble, there's lots of folks in the EO world selling

marjoram for OREGANO and OREGANO for marjoram - it's real easy to pass

such substitutions to folks who don't know the difference. One buyer

bought thousands of kilograms of Beyaz Kekik (White Oregano) from a less

than honest distiller here in Turkey (certainly not me) and later sold

it as O. vulgare. I think it's likely that he still doesn't know the

difference. But folks, Beyaz Kekik is O. marjorana (wildgrown)!

 

There are similarities in these plants but also, many differences in the

percentages of chemical components. Likewise, there's many differences

even among the various types of marjoram and types of origanum.

 

OREGANO is not one or a few different plants - it's a whole genus of

herbs - marjoram is in that genus and both are strong antioxidants and

some studies suggest that WILD OREGANO is the STRONGEST of all the herbs

as an antioxidant.

 

There are clinical studies that support the use of OREGANO for various

ailments, but as is the case with most herbs and EOs there are far more

recommended uses than studies to back them up. In the third world and

in some developing countries there is a few thousand years of practical

usage to support such claims. On the other hand, there's no studies to

refute these claims so if a person wants to try OREGANO - it certainly

won't hurt them. Peasants are normally far healthier than their more

affluent city breathren simply because they use more natural products

and less prescribed crap. Ignorance and stupidity are two different

animals and those peasants are not even ignorant in all matters!

 

Rodale's, " Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, " contains an explanation

of the probable beginning of the confusion between marjoram and OREGANO

- the Greeks and Romans. For thousands of years, OREGANO herbs and teas

(and now EOs) have been recommended for a multitude of ailments, but

problems in identifying the many different species of OREGANO are still

ongoing - still unresolved.

 

I think that the jury is still out on whether anything can be effective

in reducing cellulite, but I also believe that massages and EO baths

might well help and they certainly won't harm you.

 

It's possible that you might have read that OREGANO is a good treatment

for cellulitis, which is an inflammation of connective tissue between

adjacent tissues and organs. As this is commonly caused by a bacterial

infection from streptococci or staphylococci, the first thing doctors

want to prescribe is antibotics. This is a case where I KNOW that

ORIGANUM is effective and I would certainly use it and recommend it's

use in lieu of antibotics to anyone I truly cared for.

 

Finally, let me say that the following is not a recommendation - it's a

testimonial. For almost three years, I have taken ORIGANUM internally

at the first sign of a cold, flu or any other microbial or viral illness

- and it ALWAYS works!! I give it to my employees and we have, on many

occasions, cured strep throat in 24 hours! I do not get sick! When

the cold, flu and other bug problems come around and folks all around me

are dropping like flies - I drive on and keep smilin'.

 

An article in the January 1999 edition of " Better Nutrition " is entitled

" Earth Medicine: Oregano, More Than a Nice, Italian Spice, " by James J.

Gormley. He uses a number of references in the article - to include one

from Medical Sciences Research. This article discusses a test made

against RNA asnd DNA viruses. Bottom line, upon exposure to OREGANO EO,

the viruses' outer protective membranes " disintegrated " !

 

Another test is discussed - where investigators tested eight strains of

bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and determined that the

OREGANO EO was " extremely bactericidal " (antibacterial) even at very

dilute concentrations. Even the " watered down " preparations caused

" considerable decrease in bacterial growth rates. "

 

Another test discussed is an examination of the effectiveness of the

most potent compound found in OREGANO - carvacrol - against food-borne

Bacillus cereus. The results showed that based on dosage, OREGANO EO

totally blocked growth at high dosage, and even reduced spread of the

bacteria at the vert lowest dosage.

 

You asked a simple question, and I gave you a long, drawn out reply.

I'm not sure if I really answered your question - or even if there is a

correct answer. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity to jump on the

bandwagon for ORIGANUM because I'm sort of fed up with the urban rumor

that many in the AT comunity continue to keep alive - that OREGANO and

carvacrol are too harsh for aromatherapy. It's just not true, but if

you say it long enough then many folks will believe it. I believe that

time and further research will show far more beneficial therapeutic uses

for OREGANO and it's essential oil.

 

Regards,

 

Butch Owen

Ankara, Turkey

 

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