If you enjoy cooking, you probably use oregano in your pasta dishes, homemade pizzas and favorite vegetable soups. Its botanical name is Origanum vulgare, Greek for "joy of the mountains." True oregano grows wild on the mountainsides of Greece and other Mediterranean countries where this savory herb is well-loved.

But this plant has some important properties that make it useful for much more than cooking.

Oregano oil, from the wild mountain oregano vulgare species, is a powerful antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic. It is nature’s antibiotic and can be used to treat many different types of infections. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used by people who suffer from chronic conditions that cause pain.

Oil of oregano contains carvacrols, flavonoids, and terpenes. Carvacrol is a natural phenol that kills many strains of bacteria. Flavonoids are natural antiseptics and terpenes have anti-inflammatory properties.

The Cure is in the Cupboard by Dr. Cass Ingram is all about the therapeutic benefits of oil of oregano. This doctor discovered first-hand the power of oregano as he treated an incapacitating blood-born fungal infection that forced him to close his practice and move home to be cared for by his family. He claims that after trying many other things, he healed himself with oregano oil!

So, can sprinkling oregano on your food make you healthier?

In short, probably not. Most of the oregano you buy in the store as an herb contains little of the potent oil that contains all the health benefits. Also, much of the spice labeled oregano is actually thyme. Even some of the supplements claiming to be oil of oregano are watered down with thyme oil.

In his book, Ingram suggests the following conditions to determine if you are buying the right supplement: make sure it is a wild spice, not farm-raised and from a proven edible species of oregano that is high in carvacrol; it is extracted in a natural process (steam distilled) and free of all chemical residues; and it is relatively low in thymol (less than 5%).

You can buy the essential oil of oregano as a tincture or in capsules. I really like the one made by Herb Pharm. It does have a strong taste and burns a bit going down. Be sure to follow the directions and dilute it with water. I find that for sore throats, using the tincture works very fast because of the topical application. I have found that using the tincture either keeps me from getting sick or shortens the duration when I am sick.

If you prefer capsules, Gaia Herbs makes a very high quality product.

The Alternative Health Encyclopedia reports that there have been some recent scientific studies backing up the claims about the healing properties of oregano oil. One study, published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology in 1999 cited oregano oil as having significant antibacterial action against many bacteria, including E. coli, Staph and Salmonella. In 2000, the same journal published a study by Scottish researchers showing Oregano Oil to be effective against 25 different bacteria.

Conditions treatable with oregano oil:

• Viral infections like colds and flu


• Bacterial infections, including drug-resistant ones


• Fungal infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm and Candida


• Tooth pain and infection


• Digestive problems including diarrhea and constipation


• Respiratory illness like bronchitis and whooping cough (it is a natural anti-spasmodic)


• Parasites


• Skin conditions like psoriasis, dandruff and acne


• Allergies and hay fever


• Nervous tension


• Pain and inflammation as found in Rheumatism, CFS, and Fibromylagia

Oregano oil should not be used by pregnant women and under advisement of your health practioner when nursing. As with any supplement, consult your doctor before using oregano oil if you have a health condition.

Have you used oregano oil? If so, tell us how it worked for you.

You might be aware of the controversy around the widespread use of antibacterial soaps and the concern that they may create drug-resistant strains of bacteria. More recent research is also suggesting thattriclocarban, a common additive in many antibacterial soaps and deodorants, has an unusual effect on hormones. This chemical is considered to be one of the suspected "endocrine disruptors" that may interfere with human sex hormones and reproductive development, causing reduced fertility, early puberty and increases in breast, ovarian and prostate cancers.

Another chemical under scrutiny is triclosan, also found in some antibacterial soaps. While it is thought to be safe for most people, research suggests that it might cause subtle harm to humans in critical developmental stages including in utero, early childhood and adolescence. It has been named as a target for further research into the environmental contributors to autism.

Manufacturers of antibacterial soap products, of course, claim that their products are safe and have been thoroughly tested for human use.

Studies show that these chemicals are being dumped into the environment at an alarming rate, with more than one million pounds of triclosan and triclocarban coming from use in America alone. And with a recent CDC study detecting triclosan in the urine of 75% of Americans aged 6 and older, we can't deny that these chemicals are entering our bodies.

In my household, we have stopped using all antibacterial products. I have found a natural product that fights germs and bacteria and does not contain any potentially dangerous chemicals. CleanWell is made with "Igenium," a plant-based essential oil formula that claims to kill 99.99% of germs, including MRSA (staph), E.coli and salmonella on contact.

The CleanWell story is touching. The product was developed by a family with a child who has a rare disease that causes severe immunodeficiency. Since his immune system only functions at about 10%, they needed to protect Conor from exposure to germs but did not want to expose his fragile system to harsh chemicals. After eight years of research and development, they patented the CleanWell with Igenium formula.

CleanWell products are environmentally sound. Being plant-based, they are alcohol-free, chemical-free and 100% biodegradable. They are also certified cruelty-free and never tested on animals. There is also no ingestion risk for children.

CleanWell offers hand sanitizing sprays in several sizes, hand sanitizing wipes and pump soap bottles in lovely scents. You can order online or locate a store on their Web site.

Do you prefer using natural remedies when you or your children are sick? Now that research is suggesting that many over-the-counter medicines are not good for babies and young children, it is even more important to know how to use the plant-based medicines that nature offers.

I interviewed Certified Aromatherapist Laura Genoway to find out more about using essential oils. Laura has been educating people about the use of essential oils on a daily basis for more than 14 years. She maintains a private practice in San Anselmo, California where she offers consultations in-person and by telephone. Laura is an intuitive consultant, energy medicine practitioner, certified aromatherapist and massage therapist, and is passionate about offering support to individuals in their pursuit of healing, transformation and empowerment.

The Tranquil Parent: What are some common essential oil remedies that families can use during the cold/flu season?

Laura: When my daughter was younger, I used essential oils for everything: boo-boos, stuffy nose, earache, the flu. Using essential oils as a preventative especially at daycare and during cold season was such a blessing. I noticed that she rarely got sick and when she did, it was for shorter periods of time than other kids. Now that she is a teen, we still use essential oils for things like blemishes, colds and stress.

There are hundreds of essential oils on the market, which can be overwhelming, so I will try to keep it simple. For a basic family "first-aid" kit, I recommend these three essential oils: Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Tea Tree.

1. Lavender (lavendual angustifolia) or Lavandin (lavandula hybrida) are varieties of lavender that are very soothing and calming. They can be used to help everyone relax and get ready for bed. [Stay away from Spike Lavender it is a very different variety of plant and is too strong for kids and not relaxing.]


2. Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulous or eucalyptus radiata) is a wonderful decongestant and helps to loosen phlegm. Good for upper and lower respiratory conditions.


3. Tea Tree (melaleuca alternifolia) has excellent antibacterial properties for injuries and adds those properties to any essential oil blend.

With these essential oils you can make:

Cold Season Blend: Mix equal parts (i.e. 10 drops) of each essential oil into a separate empty glass bottle. Add three drops of this blend to vaporizer water or use it in an aromatherapy diffuser.

Chest Rub Recipe: Put one ounce (two tablespoons) of thick, unscented cream or lotion into a small jar. Carefully drip 15-20 drops of the EO blend, and then stir until thoroughly incorporated. Apply a small amount of this cream to the upper chest to help with congestion and as a preventative during cold season.

TTP: How do you know what kind of essential oil to buy?

Laura: When purchasing essential oils, make sure that the plant’s botanical name is on the bottle and not just the common name, so that you know which oil you are using. In general, essential oils should be diluted in a lotion or oil before they are applied to the skin.

TTP: What safety precautions should be taken with essential oils and babies and children?

Laura: Essential oils should be taken seriously. They are potent, concentrated substances with hundreds of naturally occurring chemical constituents. Even though the essential oils mentioned here are safe for kids, they should always be kept out of reach to avoid ingestion or getting the oils in the eyes or other sensitive areas.

Always keep the dropper insert secured in the opening of the bottle. That way, if your child were to open the bottle and try to drink it, they would most likely only get a drop or two. In any case, if you suspect that your child may have been alone with an open bottle, call Poison Control to be on the safe side. If you do get essential oils into your eye or any other sensitive area, rinse thoroughly for several minutes to remove the oils. Note that because it has a lot of fat content and EOs are fat-soluble, flushing the area with milk works better than water.

Having said all of that, we never had any of those situations occur even with dozens of essential oils in the house and a routine of using them on a daily basis. The warnings are common sense. You would probably find far more dangerous substances under the kitchen sink in most homes.

TTP: Where can I get more info on essential oils?

Laura: Valerie Ann Worwood’s Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child and The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy; the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, Simpler’s Botanicals, and Original Swiss Aromatics are all good sources of information.

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Do you have any favorite natural remedies? Share them in the comments!