These are some scary times we are in right now. This pandemic looms over us like a black cloud causing fear and uncertainty.
Every minute/hour/day, there is some kind of news piece on COVID-19 and it can be overwhelming . I, like many others, want to avoid getting this at all costs. Or at the very least, be able to fight it off well.
It is never too late to work on getting our immune systems in tip-top shape. I was looking into supplements that might help me and I came across Oil of Oregano as something to try.
This post will discuss what it is and the research that has been done on it.
What Oil of Oregano is and what it is taken for
Oil of Oregano is the essential oil taken from the oregano plant. It contains carvacrol and thymol which are phenols. These are mainly where the alleged benefits come from.
The use of oregano dates back many years to Greece where it was used for various health-related reasons. It was then used in China, North Africa and Europe before it became a popular flavoring for food in the United states.
The alleged benefits are as follows:
- Boosts immune system
- Heals wounds
- Relieves stomach upset
- Lowers bad cholesterol levels
- Natural antibiotic properties
- Natural antiviral properties
- Natural antimicrobial properties
Oil of Oregano can be found in gel cap and oil form. The gel caps usually contain 150-250 mg of the oil recommended to be taken once or twice a day. The oil form needs to be diluted as dropping it into your mouth will be very unpleasant.
The research
There were quite a few research articles that were available for me to read. I found them to be very interesting and I am glad that they were free to browse.
There was indeed evidence in immune system boosting benefits noted. This was thought to be in correlation with its ability to promote intestinal health. The researchers likened it to doing what probiotics are said to do when taken regularly.
A few of the articles talked about there being an anti-tumor (decreases the size) benefit with the supplementation of Oil of Oregano. The research was specific to cancer of the breast, liver and lungs.
Anti-diabetic properties were found with the thymol and carvacrol (phenols in Oil of Oregano) combination. There showed to be positive results when it came to insulin resistance. This benefit was even stronger when rosmarinic (a phenol found in rosemary) acid was added to the combination.
A reduction of inflammation was shown in several studies. This is due to it causing an increase in a cytokine (protein) that is anti-inflammatory in its action. This effect also improved atherosclerosis (plaque on artery walls).
There were many studies showing the efficacy of Oil of Oregano in stopping the growth of bad bacteria. The types of bacteria included E.coli and salmonella. It also proved to be a great surface sanitizer for the norovirus.
A couple studies concluded that when Oil of Oregano was combined with the Essential Oil of Sage, there were anti-microbial actions against streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat). Alone, it was also active against oral and vaginal yeast infections.
Conclusions on the research
All of these results sound great. The kicker is that the studies were mainly done on animals and food. There will need to be human studies done for there to be a more definitive answer on whether this supplement does anything.
The anecdotal evidence is strong though. If you were just going by that you would think it really does what the supplement companies are stating it does. Is it placebo though? Not sure.
I started taking them
I have to admit that I have been really panicked about this whole virus situation. This has led me to read about what things I can ingest that may boost my immune system so that I can avoid getting it or fight it off fast.
I bought the bottle pictured above about two weeks ago. Since it came, I have been taking one a day with my evening meal (150 mg). It has not messed up my stomach which is great considering I am very sensitive.
Has it helped and will it help? I am not sure but it definitely hasn’t hurt. Right now I am very focused on making sure that my immune system is in the best shape it can be.
Should you take them?
That is all your choice to take them or not. I am not a medical professional so I can’t be telling people what to do.
If you are interested in boosting your immune system like I am, you should do some research on your own about Oil of Oregano and other supplements. If you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions, it is good to avoid this one.
Have any of you taken or are currently taking Oil of Oregano? If so, what do you think of it?
Stay home and stay healthy everyone! We will get through all of this.
Sources-
https://herbalrootssupplements.com/blogs/herbal-history/a-history-of-oil-of-oregano
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.6103
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5242351/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0044848619322628
#oiloforegano #essentialoils #supplements #health #immunesystem #covid19
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