Wild Oregano Oil Softgels

Technical Notes

Overview

Most people are familiar with oregano for its use in cooking, particularly Mediterranean dishes, but few people realise that its greatest value may actually be in its use as a healing herb, The rich variety of compounds found in oregano give it a wide range of applications in natural medicine Phenolic components are thought to provide the primary benefits of oregano, with carvacrol and thymol being the major constituents. Of particular note are the herb’s antimicrobial, anti-spasmodic and antioxidant properties.

Solgar’s Wild Oregano Softgels contain oil from Oreganum vulgare, which is richer in phenolic components and volatile oils than its Spanish and Mexican cousins. The oil is extracted by pressing the leaves, in a process that does not require solvents. The oil is so rich in phenolic compounds that only a few drops are necessary for most applications. The oregano is provided in a base of olive oil to avoid any mucous membrane irritation that could occur with neat oregano oil. The softgel capsule provides a stable environment for the oil ensuring the natural potency of the oiI is retained throughout the shelf life of the product.

Bacterial Dysbiosis

Numerous studies have shown oregano to be effective in killing a number of bacterial pathogens including Klebsiella, E.coli, Salmonella, H.pylori and Staphylococcus aureus ^(1,2,3) The active phenolic components of oregano oil are thought to kill bacteria by altering their membrane and cell wall integrity ⁽³⁾. Bacteria! dysiosis, or an imbalance between good and bad gut flora, is commonplace in conditions such as abdominal bloating, flatulence, lBS and leaky gut disorder and a variety of other conditions. Eradication of pathogenic bacteria, whilst promoting the probiotic bacteria, is a basic strategy in all these conditions. Importantly. oregano does not appear to adverseIy affect levels of good bacteria in the gut.

Candida Overgrowth

Oregano has been shown to act as a potent antifungal agent in various research studies ^(4,5,6,7,8). OF particular interest is the ability of oregano oil to kill Candida albicans. Various preliminary studies have demonstrated a powerful anti-candida effect, with one study reporting equal effectiveness to that of nystatin — a powerful antifungal drug — in oral candidiasis ⁽⁵⁾ . Oregano oil does not appear to adversely affect levels of probiotic organisms in the gut, making it an ideal component of an anticandida programme (suggest using it alongside caprylic acid).

Parasites

Studies also suggest a powerful anti-parasitic action. In one study oregano oil was administered to 14 adults known to have tested positive for a variety of parasites including Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax narna. Aher 6 weeks of supplementation there was complete disappearance of parasites in eight cases and reduction in numbers in a further three ⁽⁹⁾. Another study examined the potential of oregano in killing the prolific parasite Giardia lamblia, which infects in excess of 200 million people every year. Giardia adheres to the wall of the intestinal tract and prevents the absorption of food components. It is highly contagious and the most common cause of ‘traveller’s diarrhoea’. Other symptoms include constipation, fatigue and malnutrition. Oregano was shown to cause significant and terminal damage to the structure of the parasite and was more effective than a common anti-giardia drug⁽¹⁰⁾.

Helicobacter pylori

Oregano appears to be one of the best natural antimicrobial agents against H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for the vast majority of cases of both duodenal and gastric ulcers. H. pylori disrupts the integrity of the protective mucous membrane, which leads to the formation of ulcers and has also been identified as a trigger for gastritis. Recent studies have identified oregano as a powerful antimicrobial against H. pylori^(11,12), which is generally regarded as being difficult to clear using natural products. One study suggests that oregano works by inhibiting the way the bacteria make energy and produce urease, the substance secreted by H.pylori that neutralises acidity and damages the mucous membranes⁽¹²⁾.

Anti-spasmodic

The volatile oils in oregano are smooth muscle relaxing and may help to inhibit muscle spasm, an effect that is especially prominent in the digestive tract. Oregano could therefore be useful in a variety of digestive conditions includina IBS, flatulence, abdominal cramping, and conditions associated with nervous tension⁽¹³⁾.

Respiratory Support

Historically, oregano has been used to support respiratory function in conditions involving lung and sinus infections⁽¹³⁾. Many chronic sinus problems are thought to be fungal in origin, sometimes with bacterial complications. The combination of potent antibacterial and antifungal activity makes oregano ideal for these types of infection.

Oregano has also been reported to alleviate coughs of various types, an attribute that may be due to the herb’s antispasmodic action. It has also been shown to act as an expectorant, helping with the breakdown and expulsion of mucus         in catarrhal conditions⁽¹³⁾. The antimicrobial properties would also be synergistic in this regard.

Blood Sugar Balance

Preliminary research suggests a role for oregano oil in diabetes and syndrome X, a condition characterised by poor insulin sensitivity and   consistently high insulin levels in the blood. In one    study, oregano was shown to normalize blood glucose levels in diabetic rats⁽¹⁴⁾, and although the mechanism is not well understood, the authors of several studies have hypothesised a role for oregano in humans with diabetes and syndrome X ^(15,16,17).

Antioxidant

Oregano has tremendous antioxidant activity. In a recent analysis by the US department of Agriculture oregano scored the highest for antioxidant activity of any herb tested. Its activity was forty-two times greater than that of apples, and four times greater than blueberries⁽¹⁸⁾. Oregano contains rosmarinic acid - the active also found in rosemary - which is known for its incredibly potent antioxidant activity.

Potential applications of oregano oil

·         Bacterial dysbiosis

·         Parasites

·         Candida and other fungal infections

·         Ulcers (gastric and duodenal)

·         Gastritis

·         lBS

·         Flatulence/bloating

·         Abdominal cramps

·         Leaky gut disorder

·         Sinus infection

·         Bronchitis

·         Coughs

·         Pneumonia

·         Sore throat

·         Tonsillitis

·         Diabetes/syndrome X

·         Externally for fungal and bacterial skin infections

·         Antioxidant

·         Well tolerated but should not be taken during pregnancy

Key selling points of Wild Oregano Oil Softgels

·         Wild oregano is richer in phenolic components than Mexican and Spanish oregano

·         Extracted without the use of solvents

·         Standardized to 60-80% carvacrol, 3-5% thymol. Also contains a wide variety of other compounds including rosmarinic acid.

·         Only a few drops required for most applications

·         Base of olive oil minimises potential for irritation of the rnucous membranes of the intestinal tract

·         Oil is highly stable due to softgel presentation — best protection against degradation of actives

·         Powerful antimicrobial

·         Shown to be effective against pathogenic bacteria, fungi and parasites

·         Does not adversely affect probiotics

·         Supportive in upper respiratory infections

·         Anti spasmodic (smooth muscle relaxing) especially helpful for intestinal muscle spasm

·         Potentially helpful in syndrome X

·         Historically used for a variety of respiratory, sinus and digestive complaints

References

1.      Preuss HG et al. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of herbal essential oils and monolaurin for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Mol Cell Biochem 2005 Apr;272(1,2):29-54

2.      Hammer KA et al. Antimicrobial activib/ of essential oils and other plant extracts. J Appl Microbial 1999 June; 86(6):985.989

3.      Rhayour K et al. Mechanism of bactericidal action of oregano and clove essential oils and their phenolic major components on E.coli and Bacillus subtiles. Journal of Essential Oil Research 2003 Sept/Oct

4.      Chami F et al. Oregano and clove essential oils induce surface alteration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phtyother Res 2005 May;19(5):405-8

5.      Chami N et al. Study of anticandidal activity of carvacrol and eugenol in vitro and in vivo. Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2005 Apr;20(2): 106-11

6.      Salgueiro LE at al Chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Oreganum virens on Candida species. Planta Med. 2003 Sep;69(9):871-4

7.      Tampieri MP et al. The inhibition of Candida Albicans by selected essential oils arid their major components Mycopathologica. 2005 Apr;159(3):339-45

8.      Manohar V et al. Antifungal activities of origanum oil against Candida albicans. Mol Cell Biochem. 2001 Dec;228(1-2):111-7

9.        Force M et al. Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo. Physiother Res. 2000   May;14(3):213-4

10. Ponce-Macotela M et al. Oregano kills Giordia intestinalis trophozoites in vitro: antigiardiasic activity and ultrastructural damage. Parasitol Res. 2006 Jan 20; 1-4 [Epub ahead of print)

11. Mahady GB et al. In vitro susceptibility of helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytother Res. 2005 Nov; 19(11):988-91

12. Lin VT et al. lnhbition of Helicobacter pylon and associated urease by oregano and cranberry phytochemical synergies. AppI Environ Microbiol. 2005 Dec;71 (12):8558-64

13. Lust J. The Herb Book.  Bantam Books 1974.

14. Lemhardi A et al. Antihyperglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Oreganum vulgare growing wild in the Tafilalet region. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jun;92(2-3):251-6

15.  McCue PP and Shetty K. Inhibitory effects cf rosmarinic acid extracts on porcine pancreatic amylase in vitro. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(1):101-6

16.  Talpur N et al. Effects of a novel formulation of essential oils on glucose insulin metabolism in diabetic and hypertensive rats: a pilot study. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2005 Mar;7(2):193-9

17. McCue P et al. Inhibitory effects of clonal oregano extracts against porcine pancreatic arnylase in vitro. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(4):401-8.

18. Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno. Atrio Books New York. 2005.