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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating info... to be taken with a grain of salt,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Wild Oregano for Better Health (Paperback)
I recently re-read "The cure is in the cupboard" by Cass Ingram, D.O.
In the third revised edition, there is no longer any mention (at least by name) of the "one and only" acceptable brand, no company 800 number, and some of the health claims seem to have disappeared, too. This takes care of some of the complaints by other reviewers, but does it make the book any better? At least it's no longer a blatant infomercial. If I did give this book 4 stars, it is because after reading it the first time, some three years ago, I did go out and buy a little bottle of oil of wild oregano, and found it to be, indeed, a very effective remedy for a number of minor health problems. Now I always have some in the house, and I never travel without it, because it can replace several other products that otherwise would take up space in my suitcase (triple antibiotic cream, cortisone cream, cold, sore-throat and sinus meds, etc.) I can apply it to cuts, gargle with it, disinfect my drinking water when traveling in the third world, and so on. It is more versatile than tea-tree oil (melaleuca) in that you can ingest it, as well. But there is a sneaky side to this author that bugs me. I don't know what the actual nature of his connection with the brand North American Herb and Spice Co. is, but he seems very anxious that readers should buy only the "blue label," and stoops to all kinds of scare tactics to disparage the competition, whose products are likely to be "toxic," rather than just ineffectual. We are asked to believe that NAHSC and/or Dr. Ingram have the monopoly on the only true wild oregano product that is safe and effective, and originates from a very limited geographic area, whereas the identical plant growing a hundred miles down the road, so to speak, is useless or worse. If this plant is, as the book repeatedly claims, a godsend, why guard it so jealously? For your information, I have tried other brands and they have served me just as well. The "blue label," however, is by far the most expensive, even in the diluted form. Otherwise, as far as popularizing science goes, the book does a reasonably good job. Scientific research is quoted and referenced at the end. The language is clear and accessible. Some chapters seem repetitive and some arguments are based on non-scientific sources such as the Bible ("This is the hyssop of the Law.") and even the prophet Muhammad. Not that I have a problem with that per se, but as a linguist I know it is very hard to correctly identify plants mentioned in ancient sources by their Greek, Hebrew, or Arabic names. So, by all means, buy or read this book if you are at all curious about the many uses of oregano oil. In the chapter, "Medical uses," I presume the instructions to be for the oregano oil diluted with olive oil. In some cases I wonder if the pure product is meant. It's a good idea to discuss it with a nutritionist or holistic practitioner if in doubt.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
VALUABLE BOOK IN SPITE OF BIAS TOWARDS A COMPANY,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Wild Oregano for Better Health (Paperback)
This 200 page book is a revised edition (2008). The author, Dr. Cass Ingram, MD, is an osteopathic physician. The book, which discusses properties of medicinal oregano oil, etc., is particularly valuable in that it offers treatment regimes for numerous ailments, most commonly using oregano oil (diluted in olive oil before sale). He uses and refers to a few other products as well. Ingram also gives a brief description of each ailment, which is very helpful.
(Much of the following information in this review is repeated in my review of Ingram's other book, The Miracle of Wild Oregano, since it applies to both of his books and to the use of oregano oil in general. I am including a lot of information that might be of use to someone who would buy one of Ingram's books because of an interest in using oregano oil. This information can make Ingram's books more useful.) As has been pointed out in Amazon reviews, he does bring in religion, but not to a large degree, and this aspect can be ignored. And, as has been pointed out, his books are, to a very significant degree, an "infomercial" for a particular company and their products. (He refers to the company as the "original" brand and the "blue label" brand and gives descriptions that help you identify the unnamed company's unnamed products.) Ingram has represented this company at a trade show, and, although apparently not a scientist, has participated in research sponsored by the company. Therefore, I can not consider him unbiased in his recommendations of what company or what products to use. Furthermore, it should be kept in mind that many of his treatment reports are very unscientific in nature. They include individual experiences that in some cases could relate to a placebo effect or a particular person's experience that may or may not happen for others. On pp.82-83 of The Miracle of Wild Oregano he discusses a case where a person was brought out of a coma when oregano oil was rubbed on their chest and feet. I would not conclude that external application of the oil will, therefore, bring anyone out of a coma. I have done considerable research on this subject and have studied over 40 sources of information, in addition to dozens of abstracts of scientific studies and a number of research studies in their entirety. I have also talked with representatives of several companies that make oregano oil products, including representatives of Ingram's preferred company. While the company he refers to seems to make very good products, a number of which are unique to the company, there are other companies that produce high quality oregano oil that probably works just as well as Ingram's brand's "basic" oregano oil. On pp. 179-180 of this book (and on p.116 of his other book, The Miracle of Wild Oregano), he states that Oregano vulgare is not "the true oregano" but a type of marjoram with minimal therapeutic value. In both books, he goes on to say that a "true wild oregano oil" is a blend of different species. (His favored brand uses a blend of different species.) I am not convinced that these assessments of his are correct. I have seen research papers that clearly demonstrate the value of an individual species, such as Oregano vulgare. An example: Inhibition of Enteric Parasites by Emulsified Oil of Oregano in vivo, M. Force, W. Sparks and R. Ronzio, J Pharm Pharmacol. 1997 Nov;49(11):1157-61; also published in Phytotherapy Research 14, 213-214 (2000). The abstract of this and over 235 other studies related to oregano oil can be found at the government website pubmed.gov (search: "oregano oil"). In the study, unfortunately one of only a few found on this website that were done with human beings, O. vulgare was successfully used to treat parasites. Using a brand of oregano oil other than Ingram's, with O. vulgare in capsules, I have stopped three consecutive colds "dead in their tracks." I do agree with Ingram's statement "The name of the species is unimportant. It is the chemical profile that is critical" (The Cure is in the Cupboard, p.177). Most sources recommend that the plant's natural ingredient carvacrol be 70% or higher and that the ingredient thymol be no more than 5%. This is before the extracted oil is diluted (generally in olive oil) for sale. Carvacrol is the main ingredient for medicinal use, although one study indicates that there is higher medicinal value when it is not separated out from the plant's other ingredients, since all the ingredients work together synergistically. The thymol percent needs to be low because in high amounts it can be toxic to the liver. Some oregano species have high thymol, and thymol percent can even vary among plants of the same species. According to a representative for Ingram's favored company, their oregano oil products' carvarcrol content can not be standardized and varies between 64% and 84%, which seems adequate. Their thymol content is sufficiently low. The carvacrol should be naturally occurring, and some companies add carvacrol to boost the percent, which is not ideal. In addition, wild mountain Mediterranean oregano is what is used medicinally. Unlike farmed oregano, it grows in mineral rich soil. Ideally, the wild crafted plant is harvested with ethical/sustainable practices. Oregano bought in our US markets does not have the same medicinal value. Unfortunately, I have never seen a product label that tells you what the thymol percent is and some labels don't tell you the carvacrol percent. In addition, some companies do not even test for thymol percentage. If I were to use a brand other than Dr. Ingram's I would make sure they have sufficient "naturally occurring" carvacrol content and that they test for thymol and that that particular ingredient is no more than 5%. I would avoid products that use farmed oregano. You may have to call a company's phone number to find out such information. Oregano oil is truly remarkable. Among many other things, it is an antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. Unlike antibiotics, pathogens do not develop resistance to it. It tends to break down quickly once it is ingested, so for systemic problems, one of the most effective ways to take the oil is by putting drops under the tongue, which can take some getting used to. In this way it gets directly into the bloodstream. I tend to buy the liquid and put it in empty "O" capsules, which is cheaper than buying it in capsules, is a palatable way to take it (especially for children), and allows me to control the dose. Recommendations for usage are not universal so you have to use common sense and see what works for you. The following protocol for adults is my adaption of author Jini Patel Thompson's flu regime. A lighter regime would suffice for a less severe ailment. Treatments are most effective when begun as soon as possible after the first symptoms are observed. FIRST DAY: Start immediately with 5 drops every hour until an hour before bed, taking a 10 drop dose at that time, then a once-a-day probiotic at bedtime. (If the regime is started late in the day, take 10 drops the next morning upon waking and continue to do 5 drops every hour that day, then 10 drops one hour before bed, followed by the probiotic at bedtime, considering it the real "first day.") SECOND AND THIRD DAYS: Starting when waking, take 10 drops every 3 hours. FOURTH AND FIFTH DAYS: Starting when waking, take 10 drops 3 times a day. SIXTH AND SEVENTH DAYS: Starting when waking, take 5 drops 3 times a day. Take probiotics daily. One company offers a different regime for acute internal ailments: "2-6 drops in water or juice (or capsules) up to every 2 hours until symptoms subside plus a few days." For maintenance or prevention during cold/flu season, in one of his books, Ingram recommends 3 to 5 drops twice a day for a reasonably healthy person. Some suggestions and cautions: ** During a regime or a series of more than 5 drops/day, take probiotics between doses or a "once-a-day" type at bedtime (1 hour from the time of a dose is sufficient) since oregano oil may destroy good as well as bad bacteria. In general, continue probiotics for 2 weeks after treatment. With frequent daily doses, stop at least 1 hour before bed and take a "once-a-day" probiotic at bedtime so your healthy flora can "reset" overnight. A regime with a high dose might require a stronger probiotic than otherwise, but starting off with too strong of a probiotic can lead to constipation or diarrhea, so people often start with a lower dose and increase it as needed. Employees at a good health food store should be able to suggest the best probiotic supplement for a specific situation. ** "Die-off" of pathogens may cause discomfort, in which case Ingram advises to continue or increase the dose as long as needed, drink plenty of water and add a natural purgative to help expel them. ** People taking high doses, especially without probiotics, might have constipation. ** Seek advice from a knowledgeable health practitioner before taking high doses over a long time. ** Individuals with high blood pressure should use caution because the oil may increase blood pressure temporarily. ** People taking a prescription blood thinner should use oregano oil under a doctor's care since it has a blood thinning effect. ** Used externally, the oil may irritate sensitive skin unless further diluted. ** Oregano oil may reduce the absorption of iron in your blood (use it at least 2 hours before or after iron supplements). ** Use caution if you have plant allergies. ** Guidance of a knowledgeable health practitioner should be followed when using the oil with breastfeeding women, the elderly or children under 5. ** Some sources recommend that women avoid internal use during pregnancy. ** Children under 12 need a reduced dose. (With herbal remedies, an adult dose relates to a 150 lb. person and one approach with children... Read more ›
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Miracle is in the Cupboard!!!,
By Betty~Boop (Southwestern USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Wild Oregano for Better Health (Paperback)
The title of this book should be "The Miracle is in the Cupboard"!
For me, so far, the book holds 100% true. I bought the products named in the book for several reasons. The recommendations in the book have kept my husband and I free from things like the common head cold to a toenail fungus he picked up in Viet Nam while serving there in the 60's! The cures mentioned do work and this book is invaluable, especially as we see our American medical system declining and becoming less and less useful or effective. This book puts the power back in our hands where it belongs! The cures work and because they are all natural, the detrimental side effects don't exist! I recommend it highly and cannot say how important it is for reference. I use it at least several times a week!
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