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ORIGANUM VULGARE (Oregano Tincture) INHALER IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS, A DOUBLE BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL. 2006 Iran
Source: https://www.ijbbku.com/assets/custom/journals/2006/3/ORIGANUM VULGARE INHALER IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS, A DOUBLE BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.pdf
ABSTRACT
Symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are cumbersome and refractory to most systemic medications and even after surgical intervention, the recurrence of symptoms are frequent. In order to study the beneficial effects of Origanum vulgare inhaler in releasing the symptoms, this study was conducted at Boo Ali Sina Hospital Sari, Iran. Sixty four patients were recruited and allocated equally in case and control groups matched for age, sex and duration of symptoms.15.6 and 25 percent of cases and controls had history of sinuses surgery. All symptoms including headache, nasal congestion, sinus pain, post nasal discharge, eye pain, purulence in nasal cavity and cough were significantly reduced after the intervention except for hyposmia and nasal discharge(p<0.00). No side effect was reported. Inhalation of 75% hydroalcoholic extract of Origanum vulgare effective in releasing most symptoms of CRS.
INTRODUCTION
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is among the most common illnesses in the world (Anonymous, 1994). Symptoms including headache, nasal congestion, sinus pain, post nasal discharge, eye pain, purulence in nasal cavity, caugh, nasal discharge and hyposmia are cumbersome and difficult to treat (Krouse, 2002). Treatment of CRS cost, more than 2 billion $ annually in the USA (Anonymous, 1994). If untreated, it may cause some local and serious complications such as subperiosteal, orbital abscesses, cavernous sinus thrombosis, orbital, preorbital cellulitis, osteomyelitis and meningitis (Choi and Grundfast, 2001; Pickard, 1988). Classic treatments of CRS antibiotics, decongestants, mucolytics, antihistamins and sinuses surgery if indicated, however, recurrence is common (Krouse, 2002; Clerico, 2001; Ivker et al., 2002; Nuutinen et al., 1986). Origanum vulgare (Wild marjoram) which belongs to
the Laminaceae family (Bown, 1995; Leung and Foster, 1996) has been used in Italian cookery (Bremness, 1994) and also in herbal medicine as antifungal (Leung and Foster, 1996; Stile et al., 1995; Biondi et al., 1995) and antibacterial (Stile et al., 1995; Biondi et al., 1995) agent, but never as inhaler. In order to study the effects of inhalation of the 75% hydroalcoholic extract of O. vulgare.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
It was double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial performed from April to December 2005. The study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Mazandaran University of Medical Science. The subjects attended the ENT clinic of Boo Ali Sina Hospital with suggestive symptoms and signs and proven to have CRS by CT scan or FESS were enrolled for the study. After explaining the trial, an informed consent form was signed by each patient. Then a questionnaire was completed. The patients were randomly allocated to cases and control groups matched for sex, age and chronicity of the symptoms. The exclusion criteria of the study were age under 15, fever or signs of acute infection, known immunodeficiency states and history of eye allergy. Origanum vulgare was gathered in summer from Kojor Mountain (North of Iran) and identified by an experienced botanist. The aerial organ of the plant dried, macerated and undergone a 75% hydroalcoholic extract and finally standardized by Emerson method (Hartke et al., 1982). The active ingredient and placebo were both prepared in similar dark glass bottles. The subjects were instructed to use the medication by the medicine to about 250 ml (8.45 fk. oz.) of boiling water and inhale it for 15 minutes, three times a day for two weeks. The placebo has contained no active substance. Two telephone calls for each patient were made to enhance the compliance. After two weeks a doctor blind to groups asked for symptoms possible side effects and examined the patients for signs and filled a separate form. Chi square was used to analyze the effects of the intervention and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULT
Sixty four patients (32 cases, 32controls) have participated in the study. Basic characteristics of patients prior to the intervention are shown in table1, and were statistically not different. The effects of O. vulgare inhaler on the symptoms of CRS are shown in table 2. All signs and symptoms of CRS were relieved except nasal discharge and hyposmia. No side effects were reported.
DISCUSSION
The study showed that 75% hydroalcoholic extract of O. vulgare inhaler was effective on CRS. The most important active chemicals of the plant are phenol compounds including thymol and carvacrol which have antioxidant (Lagouri and Boskou, 1996), antibacterial (Stile et al., 1995; Biondi et al., 1995), antifungal ((Leung and Foster, 1996; Stile et al., 1995; Biondi et al., 1995), antiseptic (Bremness, 1994) and ant parasitic (Force et al., 2000) properties. There are reports of their effects against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Serratia macescence, Staphylococcus aurous and S. fecalis (Biondi et al., 1995; Hammer et al., 1999), Proteos vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, Micrococcus cluteus and Candida albicans (Stile et al., 1995; Biondi et al., 1995 Hammer et al., 1999). Also there are papers referring to the beneficial effects of Origanum vulgare extracts on different kinds of illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, nervous headache, muscle spasms and spider bites (Bown, 1995; Bremness, 1994; Leung, 1996). Thymol with a phenolic index of 50% is being used in local antiseptics such as oral wash solutions and vaginal douches is one of active ingredients of the plant (Remington, 1990). Leuteolin is another chemical of the plant which is active against carcinogen factor Trp-p-2 of Salmonella thyphi (Samegima et al., 1993).Even an anticancer property was described for the plant (Milie and Milie, 1998). Avicenna noticed the effects of O. vulgare dark halos under eyes, pain and swelling of joints, headache and scorpion bite (Avecina, 1984). Nowadays some products of the plant are available including"Candismic", "Herbetom BB DG-103", "Papahade", "Broncol San" (It ballast and Bachelor, 1997; Treas and Evans, 1991; www.hipernatural. com/en/ pltoreganohtml). The extract is even effective against bacteria such as Ralstonia solanacearum pathogenic to tomato, potato, banana and tea plant (Pradhanage et al., 2003; Momol et al., 1999). Origanum vulgare extract inhalation was effective and safe in symptomatic relieved of CRS.The results of this study showed that the extract of O. vulgare has promising effects on the symptoms of CRS, and because of it, availability and low price, easy of use as well as lack of side effects. It is recommended to undertake a more comprehensive study on all aspects of the medical and pharmacological properties of the extract. Of course based on the results of this study O. vulgare can be recommended.
Breathing Steam with Oregano Tincture:
Boil approximately 1 qt water and pour in approximately 1 Tablespoon or more of Tincture of Oregano. Turn heat down, put towel over your head and inhale the steam for several minutes, taking deep breath's and holding it. Do this several times a day as needed. Refreash pot with more tincture everytime you use it.
Note: Some say you can use oregano oil. I do BUT, the study was done using tincture and the alcohol content in the tincture has DISINFECTING PROPERTIES which I'm sure added the the success of this treatment.
Also I like using a hot water kettle to inhale steam from.
DIY Old School Steam Inhaler Nebulizer from a Tea Kettle
Source: https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Old-School-Steam-Inhaler-Nebulizer
