Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that can leave you feeling drained and tired, even right after you wake up in the morning. While a number of treatments can offer relief from your symptoms, some herbalists and alternative medical practitioners suggest that oregano oil can also offer benefits. However, there's not much scientific evidence to back up this claim. Inform your doctor before using oregano oil.
About Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of wild oregano plants. Ancient Mediterranean civilizations used oregano oil to treat wounds, heal insect bites and alleviate respiratory ailments, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. Oregano is currently marketed as a treatment for a number of ailments, including candidiasis, because of its potent antibacterial properties. Chronic fatigue syndrome is thought to occur partially because of candidiasis, a condition caused by an imbalance in candida, a yeast that occurs naturally in the body. However, as of the date of this publication, no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have been performed to evaluate the effectiveness of oregano oil at fighting candidiasis.
Chronic Fatigue and Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a yeast overgrowth common to people with immune system dysfunction and disorders such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. In an article for his website, Dr. Elmer M. Cranton points out that an increase in candida can stress the immune system and lead to symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition to persistent feelings of fatigue, some of the common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, headache and other bodily pains, memory problems and difficulty concentrating. Although a number of treatments can help with symptom management, there is no known cure. However, anecdotal evidence and a limited amount of scientific research suggests that oregano oil may help improve some of your symptoms.
Evidence
The only real evidence to back up claims that oregano oil can improve symptoms of chronic fatigue comes from reports of alternative and herbal healers, such as certified aromatherapist Roberta Wilson. In her book, "Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty," Wilson suggests that oregano oil is effective for treating chronic fatigue and candidiasis due to it strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, stating that it can help strengthen the body and improve immunity. In their book, "Prescription for Natural Cures," Dr. James Balch, naturopathic medical doctor Mark Stengler and naturopathic physician Robin Balch state that oregano oil can help improve certain cases of yeast overgrowth that may lead to symptoms of chronic fatigue. Clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of oregano oil in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.
Considerations
While oregano oil may offer some benefit in chronic fatigue syndrome, you should never rely on dietary supplements to self-treat your condition. Consult your doctor if you think you have chronic fatigue syndrome. No specific safety issues are associated with oregano oil, but any essential oil can be toxic when taken in large doses, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. Inform your doctor if you choose to use oregano oil.
References
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Oregano Oil
- Dr.Cranton.com: Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
- "Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty"; Roberta Wilson; 2002
- "Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet, Nutrition, Supplements, and Other Holistic Methods"; James Balch, MD, Mark Stengler, NMD and Robin Balch, ND; 2011
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