Oregano
is a hard shrubby perennial that is related to the mint. It has a strong,
aromatic flavour which is why it used in cooking, particularly pasta dishes. But
oregano also has medicinal properties used since the Romans. It has been used
to treat athlete’s foot, urinary infections, colds, an insect repellent and
even to clean the home.
This
is because oregano oil is supposed to have antifungal and antiseptic properties.
It would seem oregano oil is the ideal treatment for candida, a nasty yeast
overgrowth can lives in the gut of stressed or junk-eating people. But is this
just another one of those so-called miracle cures that is supported by claims
all over the Net?
Having
suffered with candida albicans for many years, I decided to give oregano oil a
go.
Medicinal
Properties of Oil of Oregano
 |
| Does Oregano Oil Work? |
After
purchasing a bottle, I learned that oil of oregano is distilled from its flowers
and dark green leaves when the oil content is at its highest. The oil has a
golden brown colour and the aroma is strong enough to permeate the gel coating.
When in contact with skin or the tongue, the oil can irritate. This is why I
take a little coconut oil with the capsule.
Treatment for Thrush
I
brought a month’s supply from my local health shop. I took one capsule per day with
a meal as advised. However, oregano oil is so powerful, I am told it can kill
not only the bad bacteria but also the beneficial flora in the gut. Could
oregano oil have the same effect as the NHS’ industrial antibiotic? I wasn’t
sure.
Despite
this, I took my probiotics and ate plain yoghurts, but kept these separate to my
dose of oregano oil. (I took my oregano oil in the morning with breakfast, so I
would take probiotics later in the day). This kept the two opposing forces separate
from one another.
It
also unfair to expect oregano oil to counter a bad diet of sugar, alcohol and
fast food. In this vein, I had cut refined sugar, alcohol and other junk from
my diet four weeks earlier. In order to keep the results faithful, I did not
begin taking oregano oil until day 28 of my diet. This prevents results of the
oregano oil from being ‘masked’ by my change in diet.
Despite
cleaning up my diet, a light yeasty coating persisted on my tongue, even a
month later. The thrush had cleared a little since beginning my diet, but not
enough.
Oil
of Oregano Versus Penicillin
It
should be noted here, that shortly after beginning my candida diet, I had taken
a course of antibiotics. It could not be avoided, but doing so educated me
firsthand on the Napalm effect of traditional antibiotics. Shortly after
completing my course of amoxicillin, my tongue was completely clear. However,
as you may have guessed, the yeasty coating returned via a light coating. It
has never really cleared since. Having said that, the coating could have been
worse had I continued eating my high sugar diet.
I
shall return with the final results of my experiment with the oregano oil, but
for now, my oral thrush continues to linger via a light coating. It seems
amoxicillin is a big killer of yeast (if only temporarily).
Other Articles on Candida Albicans
My candida diet diary
Why I began the candida diet
The many ways I use coconut oil
Cheap and healthy green smoothie recipes
Other Articles on Candida Albicans
My candida diet diary
Why I began the candida diet
The many ways I use coconut oil
Cheap and healthy green smoothie recipes
