> Are there standards as to purity and concentration?  Impurities?  Source?
> Natural?  Synthetic?
>

No. But the better sites do give a breakdown of Oregano EO as to percent
carvacrol and thymol (yes, they are both components of oregano EO). You can
have different ratios depending on where the oregano was grown and which one
it is. Not all oregano is the same. I saw ratios from 85:15 carvacrol:thymol
to about 50:50.

They are isometric, which means they have the same chemical formula but
different structures. Both are found in Thyme and Oregano, just different
concentrations.

This is a very interesting subject.

The study indicates the amount of each that was taken in by the larva, but
the thymol could have been from the oregano EO since carvacrol was not
independently administered. It seems like carvacrol is the active chemical
here, as far as larva concentrations. Thymol was only high for older larva
and then from the protein supplement when it goes into the cell unprocessed
by the nurse bee. For the young larva, the feed is processed. It also seems
that the Nurse bee may process out thymol, which would explain why the
higher concentration of carvacrol  in the young larva was found.

Oregano EO yeilds a lot of good scientific studies not related to bees but
antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Its components are in a lot of
common medications like Listerine and Gold Bond Powder for its antibacterial
properties.

Its properties could explain some findings about nosema and virus
suppression with Oregano or Thymol EO. Definitely nosema.

If it does handle nosema, you have a good candidate to take care of one of
the CCD candidates. Relatively cheap, too.

We do need further study. Thanks, Jaunse for the link. Answered and created
a lot of questions.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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