 Research Studies
For centuries, oregano has been used as a folk medicine for everything from respiratory ailments to gastrointestinal complaints and from headaches to colds. Various pharmacological studies suggest that oregano and its essential oil are antibacterial, antifungal, expectorant, spasmolytic and diuretic in effect.
A series of recent studies by Harry G. Preuss, M.D. and colleagues at the Georgetown University Medical Center have shed light on the future potential of oregano oil. His findings are presented at the American College of Nutrition’s annual meeting in Orlando, FL., in October 2001. A test-tube study and follow-up using 18 mice separated into three different groups found that oregano oil had significant antibacterial activity against staphylococcus bacteria. And the oregano oil, in test tubes at relatively low doses, inhibited Staph growth as effectively as standard antibiotics.
“While this investigation was performed only in test tubes and on a small number of mice, the preliminary results are promising and warrant further study,” says Preuss. “The ability of oils from various spices to kill infectious organisms has been recognized since antiquity. Natural oils may turn out to be valuable adjuvants or even replacements for many anti-germicidals under a variety of conditions.”
Another study presented at the same meeting combined edible oils form fenugreek, cumin, and pumpkin seed as well as oregano oil, and found that the oils may enhance insulin sensitivity and lower blood pressure in diabetic rats. According to Dr. Preuss, “Our results suggest that combinations of various edible oils improve glucose metabolism in these diabetic rats, and they may be important in the treatment of different forms of human diabetes, as well as the high blood pressure that often accompanies it. We are encouraged by the results of this small study and plan to conduct more research to try to find new ways to treat diabetes with fewer side effects.”
A soon-to-be published study by Dr. Preuss and colleagues looked at the potential or oregano oil in Candida albicans, and found that oregano demonstrated antifungal powers in these test-tube and experimental studies, against both systemic and skin infections.
Oregano has a rich tradition of historical use and recent use as a folk medicine, while the vast majority of scientific studies on oregano deal with its chemistry, quality and commercial production. Most studies looking at health benefits have been laboratory studies not involving humans or higher organisms.
However, a recently published preliminary clinical study on oregano and its effect on parasites was conducted by researchers at Health Explorations Trust, in Scottsdale, AZ., and Biotics Research Corporation of Houston, Texas. Thirty-three adult patients with chronic gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue were tested for evidence of enteric parasites in their stools. Fourteen of the patients tested positive for one or more parasites, 13 of whom completed the study. For a six-week period they received four tablets of an emulsified oil of oregano, there times a day – 600 mg of emulsified oil daily. This small, human study provides the first evidence of antiparasitic effects of oregano oil in humans. |
