JOY OF THE MOUNTAIN Oil Of Oregano (90 Caps)

My reviews are typically long and informative. Not everyone likes reading a lot of info, so there is an IN BRIEF section at the top. Please read only that if you're in a hurry or don't wish to have lots of info on oregano oil. Read the FULL REVIEW section if you're like me, and enjoy being informed about the products you use.<< IN BRIEF >>Oregano oil has many proven health benefits, particular with regards to being anti-pathogenic and immunity supporting. Great for dental/gum health. Excellent on warts (in many cases). Great antiseptic. Excellent for sore throats. The list goes on...This brand of oil is one I like and have purchased numerous times. It is high strength, unadulterated, certified organic, and award-winning.I am sure you won't be disappointed, if you are looking for a high-quality food-grade oregano oil. The best wild oregano is reported to only grow in the highlands of Greece and Turkey. This one comes from the highlands of Turkey.The only other brand I recommend just as much is this one: Oreganol Oil, Super Strength P73, 1ozIt's a little more expensive, and I discus it in the review below. Take your pick.You're welcome to read my full review for more details.<< FULL REVIEW AND HELPFUL INFORMATION >>I have purchased a number of bottles of this oil over the years. I have read over the literature about this oil along with information from third-party sources. From this research I can share the following (which is why I choose this oil over some of the other brands).>> POTENCY AND CARVACROL <<Carvacrol is the predominant phenol in oregano oil, and the level of carvacrol in oregano oil is an indicator of its overall potency. This oil is stated to be 75-85% carvacrol. That's about as high as a natural oregano oil can get, so this suggests there is a minimal amount of olive oil mixed in with it. It is safer for oregano oil to be mixed with olive oil, and some experts say it may actually make the oil more effective. So there is no reason to think the oil has been unduly diluted. Pure essential oil of oregano is caustic and hard to handle. The olive oil is a good thing!Natural oils can not claim a specific fixed carvacrol level, because every batch will vary slightly. If a fixed carvacrol level is claimed it is quite likely the oil has been standardised. This is especially true if the level is a round number like 80% as opposed to 81.27%. Standardising an essential oil requires adulterating it in some way, so it's not a beneficial practice and such products are better avoided in favour of those that are not altered. 75-85% is a very high carvacrol level, so taking care with this oil is recommended. Only a very small amount is needed.This oil is laboratory tested to certify its potency. The plant material used in its production is Wild Mediterranean Oregano harvested at high altitudes. Wild oregano from high altitudes makes it more potent. It is also certified organic (free of pesticides, solvents, etc.), which is a good thing.This oil has received at least 10 awards (by my count, but perhaps more) since 2006.** An important side note **Joy of the Mountain recently changed their product formulation to include Vitamin A. The new product is called A+ Oil of Oregano. As of today (25/03/2013) the product image and description of this product on Amazon is for the old version, without the Vitamin A. I am referring to product with ASIN: B008RBPYXM. I will notify Amazon now, so that may change in a few days.There is no longer any mention of the carvacrol levels. I have phoned the company and they confirmed on the phone and in writing that the concentration of the oregano has not changed. According to them it is still certified to be between 75% to 85%. The oil selling as of 25/03/2013 is 83%. The species they use (if you're interested) is origanum minutiflorum. The thymol level is .04%, which is a good thing, because thymol is relatively toxic, so you want it to be no more than 4%. So 0.04% is very low.Apparently labelling laws in Canada required them to change the label, which included removing the statement about carvacrol levels due to this implying oregano oil at a particular concentration might have medicinal properties. In my opinion, drug companies and the Government organisations they sponsor don't want natural products claiming to be medicinal.** side note finished **>> BENEFITS OF OREGANO OIL <<Oregano oil is known to be an excellent immune booster, with its own antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. A search on PubMed shows that many studies have been done on the the positive effects of oregano. Even bacteria which are antibiotic resistant (such as antibiotic resistant Salmonella enterica) have been proven to be no match for oregano oil. It is effective against fungus, parasites and viruses, and it can be used externally and internally.>> DENTAL and GUM HEALTH <<A drop of this oregano oil in water and then washed around the mouth may help with oral hygiene, gum health, and reducing dental caries. My research online indicates many people reporting their gun disease, inflammation, etc., rapidly going away with the regular use of oregano oil. The way I use it is to wet my tooth brush with a little water and then dunk it into food grade diatomaceous earth powder. A example is Lumino Organic Diatomaceous Earth 4 lbs (there are many brands, so shop around on Amazon for it. I then put ONE drop of this oil onto the powder that is on my brush, and I brush with this.>> GARGLE <<Oregano oil can also work wonders with a saw throat, and even a full blown throat infection. Add a couple of drops to warm water, add a little sea salt (optional), and gargle for at least 1 minute.>> DEALING WITH THE STRONG TASTE <<Even one drop of this oil is VERY strong to taste. If you find it hard to take, you might find it useful to buy some capsules such as these: Now Foods Veg-Capsules Double "00" Empty Capsules, 250-Count or these Capsule Connection 1000 Bulk Empty Vegetarian Capsules, "0" Size. Using a dropper (such as Flent Eye & Ear Medicine Droppers or Amber Glass Bottle 4oz W/glass Dropper, or one from a tincture you used up) add 1 to 3 drops of the oregano oil. Fill the remainder of the capsule (using a dropper) with extra virgin olive oil. Put the top of the capsule on and swallow with water.Alternatively, you can buy oregano oil in capsules. I prefer to make my own, for a number of reasons. One is that I can use vegetarian capsules (I prefer not to eat cow and other animal hoofs boiled and chemically rendered into gelatin); another is that I can mix in other useful oils; another is that I can determine the quality of the oil going into the capsule; another is that it's more cost effective. I realise, however, it is a bit of fiddling around, and if that's not your cup of tea (or cap of oil) then buying ready-made capsules could be worth while. See my "Alternative Options and Brands" section below.>> OTHER USEFUL IMMUNE SUPPORTING OILS <<When I make up the capsules of oil, as described above, I make up a mix with this Joy of the Mountain oregano oil, along with Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lemon, and Rosemary oils. All therapy grade and organic. These other oils are also renowned for the immune boosting and germ fighting properties. One drop of each is fine. If you decide to try this, please make sure they are therapy grade (i.e. they have been distilled without the use of solvents). You can read my review on Thieves Essential Oil to get more information about this mixture.>> ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES <<Oregano oil is also an excellent antioxidant. Studies have shown it to have 20x the antioxidant power of blueberries.<< SUPER BUGS >>The world currently has a major problem with antibiotic resistant bacteria. Our misuse and abuse of antibiotics has created what are commonly called "super bugs". Oregano oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties exceeding that of many drugs used for such purposes, AND bacteria do not develop resistance to it. It also has anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal (candida, thrush, etc.) properties.>> ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS AND BRANDS <<I have tried quite a few oregano oils over the years, both in capsules and as a liquid. I prefer the liquid form as I find it to be more versatile and useful.Many of the oils available do not state the potency of their oil. Many don't use wild crafted, certified organic Mediterranean oregano. The best wild oregano is reported to only grow in the highlands of Greece and Turkey. Joy of the Mountains is harvested in Turkey. I want high quality, so I avoid the brands lacking in such standards and information.Some oils are standardised, such as Planetary Herbals (Planetary Herbals Oil of Oregano, 1 fl oz (29.57 ml), which I will address here. Planetary Herbals is actually a brand I like, yet I am not sure why Michael Tierra (respected herbalist and owner of that brand) has gone with a standardised oil. My research indicates non-standardised is better (as is the case with all herbs, in my opinion). In order to standardise the carvacrol levels the oil has to be adulterated in some way (something has to be removed, or the oil has to be boiled and concentrated, or pure isolated carvacrol is added into the oil). I want the whole and unadulterated oil. Lab tests done on the effectiveness of carvacrol in destroying pathogens has shown it to be half as effective as pure, unadulterated Oregano oil. All plants represent a naturally occurring synergistic combination phyto-chemicals, and in my professional opinion they work better when left that way. So please don't be fooled by standardised oils. There's nothing innately wrong with them, but I don't believe they are in any way better.~ P73 OREGANO OIL ~Another brand I have used, liked, and highly recommend is P73 Oregano Oil by North American Herb & Spice. It is more expensive, although may well be worth the price. They do not state on the label what concentration the carvacrol is (in fact they don't even mention the word Carvarol anywhere on their extensive web site). I have spoken to them on the phone and was told their product has a minimum of 62% carvacrol. It is also unadulterated, wild crafted, and free of solvents, etc.Both Joy of the Mountains (JOTM) and P73 are in a base of organic olive oil. The P73 would appear to have MORE oregano oil in it. It states on the label there's 50mg of oregano oil per 2 drops. Whereas JOTM has 96mg per 15 drops, which is 12.8mg per 4 drops. 12.8 mg provides 9.6 to 10.88 mg of carvacrol (10.624mg in the products sold from their in their current batch). If we go with the minimum carvacrol level stated by NAH&S, P73 has 31 mg of carvacrol in 4 drops.That's 31mg compared with 10.624 mg. It looks to me like the P73 oil is three times more concentrated.I have used both products, and I find them both to be good. As to which one to buy... The choice will have to be yours.<< RATING >>I give this product 5 stars.5 stars for the amazing benefits of oregano oil in general, and 5 stars for Joy of the Mountain being an excellent, high quality, wild, organic Mediterranean oil.<< MY RECOMMENDATION >>If you want a quality oregano oil go with the Joy of the Mountains or P73 brand.If you want it in capsules, the P73 brand sells it that way also.I wish you all the best of health,- JonathanTraditional Naturopath, Holistic health teacher, and author of Peace, Power, and Presence: A guide to Self Empowerment, Inner Peace, and Spiritual Enlightenment>> To see more reviews on holistic books, super-foods, nutritional products, and other healthy-living and self-health products, check out my Amazon profile page.

Bueno

Repeat buyer here, love this oregano oil. It smells great, always consistent, I always keep a bottle on hand to help out during cold/flu season. First time users be careful where you apply, it will burn if you are not used to it.

Whenever someone starts feeling rundown or begins feeling unwell, we grab this amazing oregano oil and rub it on our feet to help fight off whatever is making us feel unwell. It does not irritate our skin and it keeps us healthy. My husband says we smell like a pizza but I don't mind!

Since moving to a rural area our allergies have gotten so out of hand I was seriously concerned about our health. I'd heard about oil of oregano but didn't break down and give it a try until we were desperate (lots of people end up with pneumonia around here because of sinus problems). My husband was the first to take it on a regular basis, and the change was dramatic. Two years ago I was afraid he wouldn't make it through the season. Although the change in him was tremendous, I was hesitant to take it. Then I talked with someone on the phone, and the first thing she said was, "You've got to do something about your asthma, you sound terrible." That scared me enough to take the oil of oregano as directed in the pamphlet (3 drops, 3x a day to begin, then tapering down to once a day). I couldn't believe the results. Within 24 hours my bronchial spasms started easing, and 48 hours later I was able to clear them and take my first full, deep breath in over a year. What a difference it makes to breathe :-)The trees of the Ozarks are in full bloom, and we're in good health. We still take allergy medicine, but no more mucinex or cortisone inhalers. It truly is miraculous. Both my husband and I have had unbelievable relief from sinus and chest congestion while others around us are miserable.Before buying this I read reviews of every oil of oregano I could find. Many people were talking about another brand and stating how terribly strong it was. Of course it was, it wasn't supposed to be taken internally! This one is. Read the reviews and instructions carefully before making your choice, and I'm sure you'll chose this one. It is strong, and our bedroom does smell like pizza at times, but that quickly passes, as does the misery of congestion and wondering if your breathing will shut down. It seems pricey, but it last forever and is one of the best bargains out there.

This product is great. It has helped better than a traditional antibiotic and definitely better than OTC medicine. Completely recommend

Las gotas son amargas pero el resultado es muy bueno

I used this for my sons athletes feet and it was gone within hours!