Oregano - It's Not Just on Pizzas!

Anyone who cooks - or eats probably too - knows what oregano is, but there are 30 species of oregano.  What you buy in the grocery store may not even be true oregano - most of it is marjoram and it is milder than true oregano.
And why do I think this bears writing about?  Because oregano is GEM!  
 

The most well known benefit of oregano is its microbial killing powers.  It is the premier natural antiseptic.  Every microbe tested against it  succumbs to  it and there is no tendency for buildup of microbial resistance.  So Jannie, this is for you!  Put a few drops in a sprayer with water and clean you counter tops with this and not the bleach!  It's an antiseptic and it is safe.  And if you accidentally ingest this, unlike bleach, it does not harm you.  (I'm thinking if we start eliminating the things from our homes that if swallowed, you are dead or have to call the poison center and start using things that are not poison to begin with,  we'd all breathe easier - literally!)

Here's a bit of info from the net

What are the Benefits of Oil of Oregano?

The ancient Greeks were one of the first people to recognize oregano oil for its health benefits and medicinal qualities. It is known to be a potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic oil that can reduce pain and inflammation and effectively fight off infections.

Some of the specific benefits of Oil of Oregano are:

• Destroying organisms that contribute to skin infections and digestive problems.
• Strengthening the immune system.
• Increasing joint and muscle flexibility.
• Improving respiratory health.

Uses of Oil of Oregano

Skin Infections

Oil of Oregano can be applied directly onto the skin to treat itches, skin infections, and irritated gums, but only if it has been diluted. Always follow the instructions on your particular bottle before applying topically onto the skin, since highly concentrated oils may first need to be mixed with Olive Oil or Coconut Oil before application (usually one teaspoon of Olive Oil or Coconut Oil per one drop of Oil of Oregano).

Digestive Problems

The high concentrations of thymol and carvacrol in Oil of Oregano have been shown to calm upset stomachs and aid digestion. Therefore, a quick home remedy for mild indigestion is to drink a glass of milk or juice that is mixed with 2 or 3 drops of the oil.

Sinus Congestion

Oil of Oregano is a wonderful natural remedy for sinus congestion. A common solution is to add 3 drops of the oil into a glass of juice and drink this mixture daily for 3 to 5 days.

Colds and Sore Throats

Oil of Oregano is an excellent early defense mechanism when you feel a cold or sore throat coming on. Simply take 3 drops of Oregano Oil once per day (you can mix it into a glass of orange juice) and you should notice results within a few hours. Repeat this once per day for up to 5 days until the symptoms are gone.


There are a number of different phenols in Oil of Oregano; carvarcol being the most potent. Carvarcol is antiviral, antifungal (as in Candida Albicans yeast), antibacterial and antiparasitic. It has been demonstrated to kill not only Candida Albicans yeasts, but also Aspergillus Mold, Staphylococcus (think food poisoning), E. Coli, and Giardia, among other pathenogic organisms.
Another phenol in Oil of Oregano is called thymol, which is an immune booster as well, in proper dosages.  High levels of thymol can be toxic, which is why it's especially important to purchase your Oil of Oregano from a reputable producer, and make sure it's made from Origanum vulgare only.

So what do you think?  Kind of impressive isn't it?  The only "side effects" mentioned anywhere were if you are allergic thyme or basil, you may want to use caution.  Also, like most things, take it when you need it but not a daily thing because it is herbal MEDICINE.  Even herbs can be toxic if over used.

I was blown away doing research on this gem - I mean what else could you clean your counter tops with, cure your candida, take for a sinus infection,  or put on a skin infection?   I think I may add a few drops in my laundry too.   I'm putting a link to Amazon so if you can't find it in a health store near you and want to try it, here it is. 

Sick of Cleaning or Sick Because You Do?

In my ever continuing quest to not only life a simpler life, but to live a healthier non-toxic kind of life for my own personal benefit and that of our planet, I'm changing stuff again! 

What brought this about was getting a new kitchen.  I had packed the old kitchen away and was in the midst of unpacking the stuff that used to be in my cabinets to put it all in the new cabinets.  I got to the very heavy box of under-the-kitchen-sink-cleaning supplies and I couldn't do it.  The myriad of chemical smells hit me when I opened the box and I almost lost it. 

Quick flash-back to early childhood - my grandmother had NONE of this stuff.  It wasn't invented yet.  My goodness, how did she ever clean her bathtub without Scrubbing Bubbles?  So I had to get out of the kitchen fast - took my laptop out on the porch and did a quick google search for natural cleaning alternatives.  Eartheasy.com and greenlivingideas.com both have great information on what you can use to clean your house without making yourself sick.  It's all good!

A little research just wets my appetite.  I found so many sources (some on Youtube) that will tell you just how BAD the stuff is that we are using - and the increase of asthma, immune disorders, and cancer that they are proving more and more come from cleaning products, and especially air fresheners and everybody's favorite during cold season, Lysol disinfectant.  Our coughs, our delayed recovery from colds, and general lethargy could all be due to what is in our house!  There was a Dr. Martin on a video and he said that some of the everyday products he had before him had such hazardous chemicals in them that they wouldn't be allowed in some industrial factories unless the people wore hazmat suits!  Well I don't clean my house wearing one, do you? 

You can do all your cleaning with baking soda, vinegar, lemons and a few simple things like Borax.  Not only will you save money, you'll save your health and help the environment.  Why we would knowingly use ANYthing that is made from the petrochemical industry and its by products I just do not know.  This attempt to educate myself on the subject was way more than I anticipated and when I find important information I pass it along.

Here is a video with specifics - it would be worth your while to check out some other videos on the subject.  Believe me, there are plenty of them!  I still don't like cleaning, but this has actually perked me up a bit toward doing those chores.  I really really really like the idea of saving money!  And you can double that enthusiasm for doing the healthiest best thing for me, hubs and my dog Mondo!

And..........I also have a lot of room in the cabinet under the sink now. 

Over The Counter Toxicity

How often do you take an over-the-counter pill for something?  I think most people are aware of the fact that these are not meant for any long term use - but then again, maybe not.

Due to a friend's recent illness, it came to light that she was taking Exederin daily, sometimes multiple times daily, not for headaches but for the caffeine!  Really?  Isn't that why God made coffee/tea?  I don't mean to sound snippy here, but usually people are addicted to the liquid version, which while not nutriously a great choice, is far more acceptable health-wise. 

There are labels on OTC's - most saying dosage not to exceed 7-10 without reporting symptoms to your doctor.  If you do a google search on Exederin over dose or toxicity, you'll find a LOT of information, a whole list of reactions our bodies can get from exceeding the recommended dosage or long term use.  And they aren't pretty.  You wouldn't sign up for any one of them, believe me.

I thought I would blog about this because people could innocently enough over do the convenience of OTC products.  Warning labels DO serve a purpose but you need to read them, even on seemingly benign products.  Have a headache?  You can take one or two.  No biggie.  Prolonged usage can shut down your liver, or cause a myriad of other equally tradgic reactions.  And couple this with daily alchol usage and you rolled the dice twice - doubling your chances for a potentially life-threatening "side effect".

And what is really frightening - that is, if you have  any remaining faith in the good old FDA -  the FDA knows about this "flaw" in this OTC.  Here is a quote from an article in Natural News:

NaturalNews:   The drug in question is acetaminophen. It`s in prescription and all too popular over-the-counter drugs including Tylenol and Excedrin. According to the FDA, taking too much will kill you and the government agency also admits this chemical is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Acetaminophen is responsible for 56,000 emergency room visits and 456 deaths annually, according to studies done between 1990 and 1998. In spite of this, billions of doses are sold each year.The FDA rarely admits the damage the drugs they`ve approved do. In fact, in recent years, the drug approval agency has been in the spotlight for doing precisely the opposite; they`ve been caught hiding this information from public view.The harmfulness of the substance is highlighted by the fact that people are dropping dead from inadvertently consuming "too much" and that begs some pretty serious questions."

This article ran in 2009 - nothing has been done - nothing.  I do remember hearing about this on the news long ago and wondered why they were still on the market.  So when I get to wondering -I wonder how many people take Tylenol and Excederin?  I wonder how many are even aware of this potentially dangerous outcome?  I wonder why doctors are still telling people to take Tylenol when they send them home from the hospital?

It's times like this that I'm glad I'm blogging.  If there is ONE person that reads this  and will stop or at least limit how many of these pills they take, for whatever reason they are taking them, I hope this information proves helpful.  Using these pills is simply not  worth the risk!

And please do your part to spread the word.  We all have to do due diligence on everything we consume out of self-preservation.  It's self-education.  Don't fall for the marketing ploys of these drug companies to determine your life - or death.

Taking On McDonald's

There is a bit of flap over the Center for Science in the Public Interest suing McDonalds for putting toys in the Happy Meals that kids want, primarily for the dumb toy, but also to get kids hooked on their food(s).  I've read several articles about this and  just the other day heard someone on NPR have an absolute tirade against CSPI for taking the FUN away from children - like what is next? banning the playground? 

Could they be missing the point?  Or are people really so adverse to change and so uniformed about nutrition that they will actually fight for the right to continue feeding their offspring garbage?

The Center for Science in the Public Interest admittedly is tackling a huge giant, and one with (unfortunately) mass support.  I believe they are trying to bring attention to the fact that what kids eat there is not really food, but what they call (in their Nutrition Action newletter) food porn.  This organization is a strong advocate for health, nutrition and transforming the American diet - we need this help as the diet these days, full of so much "stuff" its no longer food your grandma would recognize!

Now I've heard that McD's is offering carrot sticks to shut up people who might just be starting to wake up and holler at the crap level of their food.  I don't think people are going to McD's for carrots, especially the kids.  How far removed from where-does-our-food-come-from are we getting? 

I watched in horror when Jamie Oliver (on tv) replicated Chicken McNuggets - grinding the carcass of a chicken, (devoid of breasts, legs and wings mind you, just the carcass) bones, fat and all, and added flour and some yummy additives, then he took this gook out by a tablespoon, patted it in a patty, rolled it in bread crumbs, fried it in oil, and voila - a chicken McNugget.  UGH.  People eat these, kids eat these, all believing they are eating chicken.  I suppose technically they are.  Then add your fries, coke and wow, food porn!

As an aside, the reason they can grind up bones so easily is because the chickens are so loaded with hormones and antibiotics and killed so much earlier, that the chickens bones are weak.  And let me add, that if THIS is the chicken you are eating, all the goodness of those hormones and antibiotics are yours free with your McNugget.

My neighbor teaches in a pre-school. She said she surveys the kids about what they had for dinner the night before. On average 2/3 of her class has McDonalds for dinner at least 3-4 nights a week.  I know working parents have their hands full, but there has got to be a better choice!  What would YOU suggest?  How about sandwiches at home?  I get it that women don't want to cook but there has to be some food plan other than this!  REAL food.  Help me help them!
The only way we will EVER get healthier food anywhere, let alone at McDonalds, is to make our voices heard, or boycott, or support CSPI at the very least.  I invite you to go to their website and check out the information you can get from this organization.  They are not on any "take" from any company - no payola - and they really tell the truth about products, espeically in their newsletter which I've been getting since I joined in 2007. 

So no, dude on NPR, the CSPI is not a bunch of  wealthy,  health nut vegetarians out to ruin any kids fun!
(He actually said that and more!)  Educating kids to make GOOD food choices is hard enough without bribing them with toys to eat junk.  I think that is the point.

http://www.cspinet.org/