Oregano

Source

The Orgeno source used at Mymmunity is a high potency 10:1 extract

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae

Genus: Origanum

Species: O. vulgare

Immune support

Oregano is a potent anti-microbial agent used for many types of respiratory tract infections. The important active ingredient is called Carvacrol shown in the scientific literature as able to kill viruses and bacteria.

Other uses

Oreganol is also used for gastrointestinal disorders, dysmenorrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infections, headaches, and heart conditions.

How it works

Oregano contains chemicals that might help reduce cough and spasms. Oregano also might help digestion by increasing bile flow and fighting against some bacteria, viruses, fungi, intestinal worms, and other parasites.

Safety

Oregano leaf and oregano oil are LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts commonly found in food. Oregano leaf is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth or applied to the skin appropriately as medicine. Mild side effects include stomach upset. Oregano might also cause an allergic reaction in people who have an allergy to plants in the Lamiaceae family. Oregano oil should not be applied to the skin in concentrations greater than 1% as this might cause irritation.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Oregano is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. There is concern that taking oregano in amounts larger than food amounts might cause miscarriage. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking oregano if you are breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Oregano might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Allergies: Oregano can cause reactions in people allergic to Lamiaceae family plants, including basil, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, mint, and sage.

Diabetes: Oregano might lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should use oregano cautiously.

Surgery: Oregano might increase the risk of bleeding. People who use oregano should stop 2 weeks before surgery.

Interactions with medications

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Oregano might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. In theory, taking some medications for diabetes along with oregano might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others..

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Oregano might slow blood clotting. In theory, taking oregano along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dabigatran (Pradaxa), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others

Interactions with Herbs, Supplements, and Foods

Copper

Oregano might interfere with copper absorption. Using oregano along with copper might decrease the absorption of copper.

Herbs and supplements that can lower blood sugar

Oregano might lower blood sugar. In theory, taking oregano along with herbs and supplements that also lower blood sugar might reduce blood sugar levels too much. Some herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar include alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting

Using oregano along with herbs that can slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. These herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, red clover, turmeric, and others.

Iron

Oregano might interfere with iron absorption. Using oregano along with iron might decrease the absorption of iron.

Zinc

Oregano might interfere with zinc absorption. Using oregano along with zinc might decrease the absorption of zinc.

There are no known interactions with foods.

References

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