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Danger in the Marketplace: Adulteration of Oregano Oil Confirmed
It is now confirmed that there is mass adulteration of oregano oil. The oil may be marketed as wild or even mountain-grown, but this is not necessarily true. The adulteration is largely true of all brands claiming high carvacrol levels. This is to confuse the public into thinking that high carvacrol levels are superior to the naturally occurring ones. The fact is carvacrol exists in oregano oil in a natural balance with some 30 other active ingredients. Artificially raising it spoils the oregano oil, disrupting its natural synergy.
There are three ways this adulteration is occurring:
- through the direct injection of the stalks of oregano plants with GMOs, in this case noxious forms of pseudomonas*
- through heating the oil excessively to concentrate the carvacrol by driving off the other components
- through the addition of synthetic oregano, either petrochemically-based or genetically modified (GM)
Through these adulterations the carvacrol level is artificially boosted to between 80% and 95%. In fact, any oregano oil touting to be over 85% carvacrol is adulterated. This is because there is no wild oregano in nature which is over 85%. Another way to tell if oregano oil is artificially manipulated is the use of the word, “standardized” or “standardization.” There is no ‘standardized’ wild oregano in nature, just there as there are no standardized carrots or apples. Active ingredient carvacrol levels fully vary with weather and growth conditions, even the side of the mountains that wild oregano exists on. The term “standardized” on the label means the addition of fake or adulterated carvacrol.
Beware of cheap and adulterated imitations touting to be 80% carvacrol or higher. Especially beware of those claiming levels 83% and above, which is hard proof of adulteration. Some of these false oregano oils derive from farm-raised plants, which are injected with GMOs. Others claim to be “Certified Organic” but are also farm-raised and are, thus, not ideal. These GMOs force the plant to artificially produce abnormally high carvacrol levels at the expense of all the other ingredients.
North American Herb and Spice is the only maker of guaranteed wild oregano oil, Oreganol P73, safe for daily or regular use, with carvacrol levels in a natural range of 70% to 78%. Carvacrol levels are naturally occurring and unadulterated. It’s the only truly mountain-grown wild oregano oil, hand-picked from the Mediterranean mountains, 100% non-GMO, available in regular, super strength and aromatic essence (juice) forms.
Hemp Evolution
Published in Vitamin Retailer, November 2016. Written by Nicholas Saraceno
In reality, hemp, also called industrial hemp, dates back more than 10,000 years. It is in fact derived from the same species (Cannabis sativa) as marijuana, but the latter variety of the plant is grown for its high delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) value (3-20 percent). On the other hand, industrial hemp only contains a THC content ranging from 0.05 to 1 percent, according to the North American Industrial Hemp Council.
Although it is not legal to grow hemp in the United States (unless it is research related), other nations, such as Canada and members of the European Union, are authorized to do so. Therefore, U.S. manufacturers can produce products containing hemp legally. This allows for endless possibilities, especially with its advantages and its multiple uses.
Hemp Benefits
As referenced to earlier, hemp is essentially derived from the same plant as its THC-containing counterpart, so by theory, they have similar advantages. Essentially, hemp produces results without the psychoactive effect.
“The endocannabinoid system is responsible for many cognitive and physical processes,” said Ted Campdesuner, director of operations and compliance at North American Herb and Spice in Illinois, a company that manufactures a line of hemp products. “The body produces endocannabinoids, which bind to receptors throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. The most relevant receptors, CB1 and CB2, are found, for the most part, in the brain and immune system. When endocannabinoids bind with and activate CB1 and CB2 receptors it results in many physiological processes that regulate appetite, memory, pain, immunity and mood.”
In addition, according to Kelly Saunderson, manager of public affairs at Canada-based Manitoba Harvest Foods, a company whose foods feature this plant such as through its Hemp Hearts and Hemp Heart Toppers, hemp is also filled with protein among other nutrients.
“Hemp foods are packed with plant-based protein and omegas,” noted Saunderson. “For example, one 30-g serving of Hemp Hearts contains 10 g protein and 10 g omegas. That’s double the protein of a similar serving size of flax or chia seeds—and a broader spectrum of omegas. Hemp protein contains all ten essential amino acids. Hemp protein contains no known allergens and is easy to digest. Hemp foods also contain omega-3 and omega-6, including the rare omega-6 gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is shown to help balance hormones, may help reduce inflammation, and promotes healthy skin and hair (which is why see hemp beauty products). Hemp is the only food source of GLA.”
Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, most can agree that having an additional way to gather the day’s daily values is not holding anyone back, but rather, providing consumers with another option. This is particularly important during a time when studies suggest that not enough vitamins and minerals can be found in an average meal.
Garnering Attention
“The hemp story is trending because convention, as we know it, is ending,” noted Stuart Tomc, vice president of human nutrition at CV Sciences, Inc., a brand in California that is involved with cannabidiol-based medicine. “Ask anyone under 30 who works at a health food store if hemp should have ever been illegal in the first place. Prohibition ending is driving its popularity for now, but it is the results and reputation of hemp that will fast track it into the herbal hall of fame.”
It should be noted that cannabidiol has been authorized for investigation as a new drug for which substantial clinical investigations have been instituted. Therefore products containing cannabidiol are outside the definition of a dietary supplement. FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) considers a substance to be “authorized for investigation as a new drug” if it is the subject of an Investigational New Drug application (IND) that has gone into effect.
There is an exception if the substance was “marketed as” a dietary supplement or as a conventional food before the new drug investigations were authorized. However, based on available evidence, FDA has concluded that this is not the case for cannabidiol.
Extraction
From a health standpoint, there are a variety of ways to extract nutrients from hemp, such as through pressing the hemp seeds, olive oil and carbon dioxide. However, it is important not to cause any damage to the product when using the techniques.
“CO2 extraction is a process by which compounds can be extracted at a very low temperature therefore preventing damage or denaturing of the material. Olive oil and cold press are other methods by which key nutrients and enzymes are maintained intact as part of the extraction process,” said Campdesuner. “What is most important is to avoid heat and solvents during the extraction process. Heat can essentially burn off terpenoids that are beneficial to the material and toxic solvents such as hexane, butane, and acetone can be found in residue form even after heat and pressure are applied to remove them.”
Ultimately, the versatility surrounding industrial hemp is undeniable, as a look into its future will provide perspective.
Gazing Into the Future
As mentioned earlier, it is only legal to grow hemp in the United States if it is done for research purposes. After more than a half-century ban, President Barack Obama signed the 2014 Farm Bill, making this official.
“With the 2014 Farm Bill allowing hemp to be grown for research purposes in states where industrial hemp is legal to grow, the market is very exciting right now,” said Saunderson. “We’re seeing hemp grown legally on U.S. soil for the first time in decades. There is a lot of learning and opportunity ahead. Manitoba Harvest’s cofounders helped legalize industrial hemp in Canada back in 1998. Research trials were instrumental in getting hemp legalized so hopefully the same will be true for the U.S. market.”
Events such as these suggest that as time continues to progress, society is arguably beginning to become more “accepting” of the hemp trend, drifting away from a more “traditional” approach.
Jason Mitchell, ND, co-founder and president of California-based MetaCan, a company that offers a HempFusion line of vegetarian liquid capsule phytocannabinoids, said he feels that the future is bright, but also pointed out that with such a new concept, this is only the beginning.
“There’s obviously a lot of research and understanding on the fact that there is an endocannabinoid system,” said Mitchell. “There is this interaction with these compounds in the plant and how it supports the body, and how it interacts with this system in the body. But starting to draw conclusions and being able to map out a future for it—we need a lot more work.”
At times, some ideals may take longer than others to gain acceptance.
“Social, cultural and technological changes are driving alternative thinking and convention—as we know it is dying,” said Tomc. “The promise of hemp and its billion-dollar crop date back to Popular Mechanics VOL. 69 February 1938—it’s only taken hemp 78 years to become an overnight success. Based on the new and first ever CBD Report, published by Hemp Business Journal, a Nutrition Business Journal publication, hemp and hempderived CBD is positioned to be the breakout ingredient of our lifetime. According to the must read report, CBD consumer sales are up 1,710 percent, primarily from the natural retail channel. With explosive sales growth matched only by testimonials that leave you speechless, hemp derived CBD offerings are here to stay.”
Why You Need Oil of Oregano for Cold and Flu Season
Article published by NaturallySavvy.com
Oil of oregano could win an award for one of the most effective natural preventives and treatments for the common cold and flu. (By the way, this oregano is not the same species as the one you put in your pasta sauce.).
One reason oil of oregano is considered an essential oil hero is the presence of carvacrol, among the most bioactive components of this herb. This kryptonite of oregano has demonstrated its anti-crime potential in a number of ways; that is, it has antibacterial, antivirus, antifungus, antitumor, anti-inflammation, and antiparasitic properties.
Oil of oregano, which is made from the leaves and flowers of the herb, also contains some other potent compounds that can be helpful when you want to prevent or treat a cold or flu. Here are four reasons why this herb is so potent:
- Thymol: a natural antiseptic that can enhance immune system function and promote healing
- Beta-caryophyllin: known for its anti-inflammatory benefits
- Naringin: enhances the antioxidants in oregano oil, which in turn can improve its ability to fight cold and flu viruses
- Rosmarinic acid: an antioxidant that also is a natural antihistamine
To enjoy the health benefits of oregano, it’s essential that you chose an oil produced from wild oregano (Origanum vulgare), which is native to the Mediterranean, or from Thymus capitatus, a variety found in Spain. More than 40 other oregano species are available, so be sure to read the label and buy from reputable manufacturers only.
How Powerful is Oil of Oregano?
For those who want to see what the scientists say, there’s a study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology in which researchers exposed a mouse norovirus (a human norovirus surrogate) to oregano oil and carvacrol. Both treatments were effective against the virus, but carvacrol was better, inactivating the virus within one hour of exposure.
If you want to help prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses on your hands and household surfaces, then you may want to use liquid soap that contains oregano essential oil or add the oil to an all-natural brand you are using now. An investigative team looked at the use of liquid detergent solution with added oil of oregano (0.5%) and found that it was as effective as a commercial antimicrobial soap, but without the harmful ingredients such as triclosan and chloroxylenol (and since the FDA recently banned many antibacterial chemicals why not make a safer homemade alternative?).
Use Oil of Oregano for Colds and Flu
Since the taste of oil of oregano can be strong (which is a good thing!), I recommend diluting several drops of the oil in orange juice, olive oil, or coconut oil. However, according to Theresa Ramsey, NMD, if you place a few drops under your tongue and keep them there for several minutes, the strong taste will be minimal and the results will be faster and stronger (because it gets absorbed faster). If you prefer not to taste anything, then you can purchase oil of oregano capsules at natural product stores.
The general dosing for oil of oregano for adults is 2 to 3 drops three to four times daily once you have a cold or flu. For preventive or maintenance purposes, take 2 to 3 drops twice a day. If you choose to take supplements, use 100 to 150 mg capsules in place of the 3 to 4 doses daily. To treat a sore throat, you can add 5 to 6 drops of oregano oil to a glass of water and gargle several times a day (I like to place the drops directly in my throat so I’m sure it is doing its magic!).
Oil of oregano can be given to children, although the strong taste makes convincing them a challenge. Fortunately there are oregano oil supplements specially formulated for youngsters (including natural mint oil to mask the taste of the oregano), and they should be dosed as recommended by the manufacturer. You can also add a couple of drops of the liquid to the bottom of their feet and then cover with socks to trap the vapors. We call this “pizza feet” in our house.
You also can add a few drops of the oil in a diffuser or vaporizer to help clear up a stuffy nose and sinuses. Breathe in the pleasant aroma for a few minutes several times a day.
Finally, you should limit your use of oregano oil to only 7 to 10 days. Oil of oregano is not recommended for infants, pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding or anyone who has high blood pressure or heart disease.
Sources:
Gilling DH et al. Antiviral efficacy and mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol against murine norovirus. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2014 May; 116(5): 1149-63
Rhoades J et al. Oregano essential oil as an antimicrobial additive to detergent for hand washing and food contact surface cleaning .Journal of Applied Microbiology 2013 Oct; 115(4): 987-94
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Additional Reading:
Comparison Guide for Whole Food, Cold-Processed, CO2 Hemp Stalk Extract vs. CBD oil.