OIL OF OREGANO

3 YEA

[YEA] 02/15/2009: Tabby from San Francisco, California writes: "I'm returning to Earth Clinic to share what Oil of Oregano has done for my family in the past 6 months! I also want to give thanks to God :)

I had a cracked tooth start hurting, extremely sensitive to cold. I knew it was infected, and it throbbed almost constantly. I began apply oil of oregano diluted in cold pressed olive oil to the gum two - three times daily. This immediately took down the pain each time I applied it. By the end of the week the pain was completely gone, giving me time to get to a dentist.

My husband caught a cold this winter, and after a week of it came down with bronchitis. He refused to try my Oil of Oregano! Stubborn guy that he can be ;) But after two weeks of coughing he relented one night and I started him off on 2 drops under the tongue three times daily. Within 24 hours he reported "feeling better overall with more energy". Within two weeks his cough was completely gone, then we stopped the regimen.

I began feeling a sore throat coming on. My daughter had one as well. I took one little drop of Oil of Oregano and put it in some water and had her drink it before bedtime. I took mine straight, I like the taste. I held 3 drops under the tongue for a bit, then began swishing it in the mouth and swallowed. After one more time of this, sore throat totally gone.

I have a compromised immune system and I'm extremely grateful and impressed by how well the Oil of Oregano has helped me and my family. It's nice to go to my cabinet instead of the doctor."

The Benefits of Oregano



The herb we know as oregano is a native of northern Europe, where it grows freely. In addition, oregano has been cultivated for centuries, and the herb can now be found throughout the world. Oregano is prized not only for its strong flavor and pleasant aroma, but for its health benefits as well.

Oregano is known to have strong antibacterial properties, perhaps as a result of the volatile oils the herb contains. Some of these powerful volatile oils include thymol and carvacrol. Both of these substances have been shown to inhibit the growth of many kinds of bacteria, including some that cause serious food borne illnesses.

Mexican researchers have even studied oregano as a treatment for the common bacteria disease known as giardia. This common amoeba is common throughout the world, and it can cause serious illness in those afflicted. In one study, oregano proved to be more effective at treating giardia than the commonly .

The health effects of oregano do not stop with its antibacterial properties, however. Oregano is also a powerful source of many antioxidant vitamins. Antioxidant vitamins are thought to play a vital role in the prevention of many forms of cancer, as well as perhaps slowing down the aging process.

Oregano has been shown to have over 42 times the antioxidant activity as apples, 30 times higher than potatoes and 12 times more than oranges. As a matter of fact, ounce for ounce oregano is thought to be one of the most antioxidant dense of all foods.

Certain bacterial infections now defy all antibiotics.

--Stuart Levy, M.D.

When it comes to antibiotic resistant bacteria and deadly viruses, so-called “alternative medicine”, including herbs and a variety of other treatments, could be your most effective form of treatment and prevention. A few years ago, my wife suffered from an antibiotic resistant urinary infection that was probably caused by the same strain of antibiotic resistant E. coli that reportedly plagued women across the country (San Francisco Chronicle 10/14/2001). We spent several hundred dollars on multiple courses of three different antibiotics, which escalated all the way to the infamous Cipro, a powerful “last resort” antibiotic. Cipro held her infection at bay, but failed to eliminate it. The infection would return within three days after finishing a course of Cipro. After months of unsuccessful medical treatment with pharmaceutical antibiotics, she was finally able to kick the infection in less than ten days through the use of a combination of grapefruit seed extract (from the health food store) and large quantities of homemade antibiotic colloidal silver solution. The following is a list of items you may wish to keep on hand:

Astragalus. One of the most highly regarded herbs used in Chinese medicine, astragalus is an effective immune system booster.

Colloidal silver. The medicines that hospitals use to fight skin infections on severe burn patients are all based upon the active component of silver. Colloidal silver is a broadband antibiotic solution that has been used against a myriad of harmful protozoa, bacteria, and viruses, though users indicate that it may require significant quantities (like a quart a day) to successfully treat serious illnesses. It is available in health food stores (expensive!) or can be made for just pennies a day with a simple commercial or homemade colloidal silver generator.

Echinacea. A traditional Native American medicinal herb, Echinacea has become a part of mainstream self-help medicine. Since its antiviral and antibacterial properties have been scientifically documented, Echinacea is now available at most drugstores.

Garlic. A true “wonder herb,” garlic has powerful antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties as well as tremendous nutritional antioxidant value. The number of active ingredients in penicillin is one. At least thirty-five active ingredients have been identified in garlic, making it much more difficult for bacteria to grow resistant to garlic than penicillin. CAUTION: cooking destroys most of garlic's potency, but your friends may not stick around after a serious raw garlic treatment.

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE). Like garlic, GSE is another true “wonder herb,” exhibiting powerful antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties. It has been used successfully to battle numerous diseases and ailments, including Lyme disease, Candida, Giardia, amoebic dysentery, many kinds of parasites, athlete's foot, ringworm, gum disease, herpes, colds, flu, and some forms of arthritis.

Homeopathic Medicine: Homeopathy appears to stimulate the body's own immune system in ways that western science still doesn't fully understand. For a reasonable price, you can buy homeopathy kits that contain 10-30 common remedies for treating a wide variety of ailments. Sometimes homeopathy works wonders when other medicines and remedies fail, like the time it helped my dog rebound from the edge of death when she was suffering from a serious antibiotic resistant infection. During the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, regular hospitals experienced fatality rates of around 30% whereas homeopathic hospitals treated over 26,000 people with a fatality rate of just over 1%.

Honey is a natural antiseptic. It has been used on the battlefield for treating wounds since ancient times and as recently as WWI. Some modern physicians claim that wounds treated with honey heal faster than those treated with antiseptics.

Hyssop. Though little used in the West, hyssop is another powerful herb, exhibiting strong antiviral and antibacterial properties. One of the few herbs that has been proven effective against active tuberculosis, Hyssop is often prescribed by Chinese herbalists for lung ailments.

Neem oil. The National Research Council (NRC), Washington, D.C., considers the neem to be “one of the most promising of all plants. . . . [It] may eventually benefit every person on this planet.” Like garlic, neem appears to be have powerful antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.

St. John's wort. Sometimes called “nature's Prozac,” St. John's wort is mostly known for its antidepressant and mood-enhancing properties. It is also an immune system booster with strong antiviral properties.

Tea tree oil. A powerful antifungal and disinfectant. Use topically (do not take internally) for skin infections, itchy scalp, and fungal infections such as athlete's foot. This oil is very penetrating and will penetrate through the skin to heal sealed-over infections and pimples. Tea tree oil is one of the few liquids that can seep through toenails.

Usnea. Another powerful herb with antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Use internally or externally against bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Often combined with Spilanthes and called “Spilanthes-Usnea”.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, immune system booster, natural detoxifier, and necessary body nutrient for tissue health and wound healing. Powdered vitamin C is handy for sprinkling in foods and liquids to detoxify mold aflatoxins and many other toxic substances that may be present in foods. Sprinkle powdered vitamin C into purified water to remove the taste of iodine or other water treatment chemicals.

GENERAL MEDICINAL HERBS

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Herbs

From your garden to your table

20 Essential Herbs for Cooking and Healing

Herb

Culinary Uses

Healing Uses

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Strong flavor and aroma complements tomatoes, eggplant, squash, seafood; use in sauces, salads, marinades, pesto

Eases stomach cramps, colic, nausea and vomiting, and flatulence; increases breast milk production; externally, helps repel insects

Bay (Laurus nobilis)

Use in soups, stews, stock, marinades; for poaching fish; with parsley and thyme for bouquet garni

Settles the stomach and stimulates appetite; externally, used to relieve muscle aches and pains, especially for arthritis

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Edible petals add bright golden color to cheese, butter, custards, rice, vinegar, salads, soups

Used to heal swollen lymph glands and ulcers in the digestive tract; externally, creams and salves help heal cuts, dry skin, sunburn and diaper rash

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)

Delicate parsley-like flavor; use fresh leaves with fish, poultry, eggs, soups, sauces, salads; all vegetables

Settles digestion; has diuretic properties; helps purify the blood and lower blood pressure; rich in vitamin C

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Add to eggs, potatoes, soups and salads just before serving; cream with butter and lemon juice for grilled fish

Mild antibacterial and antifungal properties; mild cardiovascular-systems benefits; good source of vitamins A and C

Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Add leaves (cilantro) to curries, salsa, stir-fry; add ground seeds (coriander) to curries, chutney, baked goods

Stimulates appetite and improves digestion; relieves flatulence, bloating and cramps, sweetens breath

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

Leaves enhance fish, egg, rice and potato dishes; use pungent seeds in vinegar, pickles, soup and poached fish

Potent digestive aid, soothes colic; stimulates milk production in nursing mothers, chewing the seeds relieves bad breath

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Use leaves in salads, sauces, breads, dressings and with oily fish, such as trout or mackerel

Has antispasmodic properties that soothe digestion; diuretic properties; promotes bile secretion and aids digestion of fats; increases milk supply in nursing mothers

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Pungent cloves enhance a wide range of meats; seafood" vegetables, soups and sauces

Potent antibacterial, antibiotic and antifungal properties, may help lower cholesterol and prevent cancer and atherosclerosis, may reduce blood sugar levels

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Spicy flavor enlivens bread, candy, cookies, crackers, cake; also essential for Asian stir-fries

Superior anti-nausea herb beneficial for morning and motion sickness; contains anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties; prevents indigestion; improves circulation

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Adds a light floral flavor to desserts, sugars, liqueurs; sometimes included in bouquet garni Soothes the digestive tract, promotes bile secretion and relieves nausea; lavender essential oil relieves anxiety and insomnia, has antimicrobial action to help heal wounds

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Leaves add a mildly tart, lemony flavor to teas, ice cream, fruit dishes, salads and meats

Has mild tranquilizing (sedative) properties; settles the stomach; lemon balm ointment has antiviral properties and is used externally to treat cold sores and herpes

Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Use celery-flavored leaves, seeds and stalks to flavor soups, stews, salads and meat dishes

Warming and tonic herb; relieves indigestion, bloating, flatulence and colic; improves appetite; has diuretic properties

Mint (Mentha spp.)

Adds fresh flavor to many foods-teas, meats, salads, potatoes, candies and more

Superior digestive aid; relieves congestion and suppresses coughs; peppermint essential oil has antibacterial properties and helps relieve headaches

Oregano/Marjoram (Origanum spp.)

Pungent herb pairs well with tomato-based dishes, pizza, vegetables, meats, Greek dishes

Relieves flatulence and stimulates bile flow; has strong antiseptic properties; relieves coughs and other respiratory conditions

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Use this slightly peppery herb as a garnish and with meats, vegetables, soups; rich in vitamins C and A

Relieves bad breath (has high levels of breath-freshening chlorophyll); aids digestion and relieves intestinal gas; seeds have potent diuretic properties

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Resinous lemon- and pine-flavored herb for roasts, meats, fish, tomatoes, pasta sauces, salad dressings, pizza, breads

Has potent antioxidant properties; soothes digestion and relieves congestion; eases headaches and depression; improves weak circulation

Sage (Salvia spp.)

Pungent, slightly bitter herb flavors breads, stuffing, Italian dishes

Contains astringent tannins that help treat sore throats, tonsillitis and bleeding gums; prevents excessive sweating; dries up breast milk in nursing mothers

Savory (Satureja spp.)

Minty, thyme-like herb for teas, vegetable dishes, stuffing and meats, especially sausage

Relieves gas; stimulates healthy digestion; soothes chest infections and bronchitis; savory essential oil has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Adds a pungent, lemon like flavor to meats, vegetables, soups, stews, tomatoes

Soothes digestion; has expectorant (mucus-loosening) properties useful for coughs, bronchitis and emphysema; used externally to disinfect wounds



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