“The Cure is in the Cupboard”

Dr. Cass Ingram’s book “The Cure is in the Cupboard” is a holistic handbook for the use of oregano to treat almost any disease or ailment.  He has compiled a concise but descriptive scientific explanation for the use of oregano oil as well as specific protocols for various conditions.

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This book is much more a user guide or handbook than an long-winded scientific study.  Think of this more as something you would consult on a need to know basis.  But one absolutely worthy of a place on your bookshelf.

The Cure is in the Cupboard

I really enjoyed the introduction and scientific presentation of how and why oregano oil is so important to our health.  Americans are suffering from infectious disease as at alarming rates.  Rates that have been slowly rising since the mid-1900s.

cure is in the cupboard

Even though our medical and pharmacological advances have changed the concept of healthcare as we know it, we are still falling ill and dying from ancient infectious diseases.

Infectious Disease Epidemic

There are many factors that contribute to this rising epidemic.  Most notably is the modern use of antibiotics.  Many Americans demand an antibiotic prescription when one may not be necessary, and the sale of these medicines make large profits for pharmaceutical companies.  

Not only that, but our modern livestock practices force farmers to use antibiotics on animals that was once unnecessary for the vast majority.  The over-proliferation of antibiotics in both humans and animals leads to contamination of our water and soil.

High levels of unnecessary antibiotics which end up wreaking havoc on our gut microbiome and internal organs.  The worst of all is the alarming increase of drug-resistant super bacteria.  Because we have been fighting these microbes with antibiotics for so long, they have started to mutate and become stronger.  There are many microbes that now require very strong and very high dosages of antibiotics to eradicate.  

Prior to 1930, natural substances were the primary way to treat and cure infectious diseases.  These new “super germs” that are drug-resistant are forcing modern pharmaceutical companies to return to more natural methods to find answers.  Ultimately Dr. Ingram argues that Wild Oregano is the answer that we once new and will learn again.

Oil of Wild Oregano

We are not talking about the oregano on pizza or the one you can find in the spice aisle at the supermarket.  

Wild oregano is a very specific strain of oregano that is found almost exclusively in the Mediteranean mountains.  It is not farmed, but instead picked off the side of the mountains where is grows wild. 

Wild grown plants have much higher levels of nutrients and phenols.  Therefore is very important to consume wild oregano which has far higher levels of these important compounds.

Oil of wild oregano is the “premier natural antiseptic” per Dr. Ingram.  Not only that, but it is also an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-venom, natural anesthetic, mucolytic (thins and mobilizes mucous), anti-tussive (couch suppressant), and anti-spasmodic.

oregano health benefits

The Power of Wild Oregano

Needless to say, oil of wild oregano, is an all-around powerful herb when it comes to human disease.  It can come in three different forms, all equally effective.  

The first is “crushed” wild oregano, which is sun-dried and gently crushed.  It is the whole plant usually found in pill form.  The second is oil of wild oregano.  This is the essential oil form that is steam distilled.  

As a rule of thumb, make sure to dilute your oil as it can be very abrasive.  The third form is oregano essence or juice, which would be in the liquid form.  This version is a water soluble extract that is also steam distilled.  

Any of these forms of wild oregano can kill fungus, viruses, and parasites with ease.  Studies have also shown that oregano is one of the only compounds strong enough to kill the most notorious of all bacteria, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). 

Make sure to always check with your doctor prior to consuming any supplements.  

And if you do choose to take oregano in its various forms, make sure that you purchase it from a reputable provider.  I personally choose to exclusively purchase from North American Herb & Spice because I trust their quality and purity.

Oregano & Fungal Infections

Dr. Ingram goes on to specifically discuss fungal infections, which are a major cause of disease, especially in Americans.  Fungus prefers dead or dying tissues, and can frequently take up residence in and on our bodies.  

It usually prefers our skin where we have layer upon layer of dead cells to support its growth.  But any episode of fungal infection should be taken as a sign that there is a system-wide issue.

It is also not surprising that Americans have it far worse than other cultures.  Our diets contain outrageous amounts of sugar, the preferred food for fungi and yeast.  

Sugar is completely nutrient-free, depletes of bodies of the nutrients it does have, disrupts our metabolism, damages our glands, and feeds yeast and fungi on the interior and exterior of our bodies.  

Antibiotic overuse also contributes to fungal growth.  By killing off our good bacteria and suppressing our glands which in turn limit our immune system, we become a breeding ground for fungi and yeast.  

oregano health benefits

Not to mention other common medical interventions like birth control, steroids including cortisone, chemo-therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and radiation all assist the overgrowth of fungus.

Research has found that up to 3% of our microbiome can be fungal cells including yeast.  And these two are particularly difficult to eradicate once they have taken up residence.  They are both highly invasive and will continue to grow and expand as much as possible.  Fungi is also constantly mutating, making it super difficult for your immune system to kill it.  And yeast is so strong that research found it would be able to survive nuclear fallout.

Using Oregano as Medicine

Our bodies need as much help as possible to kill off these slow creeping fungi and yeast.  Oregano has a long and storied history of medicinal use dating back to the Assyrians in 3,000 B.C.  

Modern research has confirmed is powerful medicinal properties and its potent nutritional value.  Oregano contains very high levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc, and moderate levels of copper, potassium, niacin, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin K, riboflavin, and thiamine. 

“The Cure is in the Cupboard” contains a detailed listing of each condition and the medical protocol you should follow in order to utilize wild oregano.  Dr. Ingram covers everything from Acne, Animal Bites, and Arthritis to Varicose Veins, Venomous Bites, and Vitiligo. 

Everyday Uses for Oregano

He also includes a section detailing the multitude of everyday uses for oregano for your home and your body.  He recommends to add it to food as often as possible.  Especially when eating out, to prevent any possible germs or bacteria from poor handling or preparation.  You can also add a few drops of oil of oregano to cleaning solution to add the extra anti-fungal and anti-septic properties. 

He also recommends vaporizing the essential oil of oregano to purify air, especially during the winter or in cold climates.  Be sure to add a drop or two to your soap year round to prevent picking up colds or viruses, and take with you whenever you travel.  He also suggests adding a small vial to your first aid kit especially when out in nature. 

These infectious diseases may not all be deadly, but they pose a serious risk to our long term health.  Your body and immune system will start to decline after facing long-term fungal or yeast infections.  They make you susceptible to more serious conditions and ailments.  The long-term fatigue your immune system suffers can be absolutely detrimental to your day to day life and longevity.