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Subject:
From:
"Sheila Humphrey, B.Sc.(Botany) RN IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 7 Dec 1998 19:08:14 EST
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Hi Elizabeth - would need a bit more information about the use or oregano oil
for thrush:
Do you know how the mother used oil of oregano?  Topical or internal? How much
did she dilute the oil, if used externally?  Was it removed 100% before baby
nursed? Every time?

Oregano ( Origanum vulgare) contains up to 1% volatile oil composed of fairly
variable ( 0-90%) amounts of thymol and carvacrol - phenols both noted to have
antifungal action and also for irritating skin.  Many other constituents are
also present - all would be concentrated in the essential oil.

Commission E did do a monograph on Oregano leaf, but could not approve it for
therapeutic use, due to a lack of evidence of efficacy.

Andrew Chevallier (Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants 1996) states that it is
not to be used as a medicine in pregnancy, may be irritating to the skin ( I
found this true especially if not diluted - it starts burning right away) and,
as an essential oil, should not be taken internally.

This doesn't sound like an ideal substance to treat thrush with!!!  I would
think that any remnant not removed from the breast would be taken into the
baby's mouth.  If very dilute, this may or may not cause irritation of their
mucous membranes - but could.  It would certainly be swallowed by the baby.
Thus a lot would be riding on whether the mother properly dilutes the oil
before use, and scrupulously removing what she can before nursing.

One source I have here suggests if a person has asthma, excema or other skin
sensitivities, great caution is required with any essential oil.  Patch
testing should be done first - reactions would be seen in 10-20 minutes but
could go on for 24 hours.  A reaction would require removal with generous
amounts of vegetable oil in 2-3 repeat applications.

 Sorry -have only a general guideline for essential oil dilution: 5-10 drops
into 20 ml (1Tbsp) carrier oil.  I would want to know the specific amount for
oregano before I used it on any body part, let alone thrush-infected nipples!

Does anyone have a good suggestion for an oil-based product or something else
to remove  greasy medications or other nipple treatments before nursing???
Have heard mineral oil suggested, but this one doesn't set well with me.
Ideally something non-allergenic, but not petrochemical.

Sheila Humphrey
BSc  RN  IBCLC
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