The “Aveeno” brand of soaps and personal hygiene products are based upon the herb oat straw.  I’m sure many of us have bathed in this herb for relief of itchiness from chicken pox or hives.  Oat straw is also a useful herb for internal consumption as well.   It is a tonic herb, an herb that optimizes and restores the body’s functioning.
 

It is especially useful for the nervous system by helping to alleviate depression and stress.  Oat straw is recommended by natural health practitioners for insomnia, depression, anxiety, restlessness and skin disorders, especially those that cause itching.     

Dried oat straw is commonly made into a tea.  It can also be purchased in capsules or as a tincture.  Oat straw may be found in formulas for relaxing the mind and body and aiding sleep.  It works well in combination with other relaxing herbs.  Oat straw can also be placed into a bath (about 100g) for relieving skin irritation.  It can also be found in topical preparations for decreasing skin itchiness.  It is also very alkalizing and can help reduce overall acidity in the body.

Oat straw may increase the effect of sedatives.  It may not be suitable for individuals who are hypersensitive to nicotine.
 

Olive is best known for its use in the kitchen as oil.  However the leaves of the plant are a good addition to the medicine cabinet.  The extract of the leaf has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic activity.  Even new emerging viruses, like SARS, seem to be inactivated by compounds in olive leaf.  It interferes with the microbe’s use of amino acids so that they cannot grow and multiply.
 

Olive leaf also promotes the growth of beneficial organisms in our gastrointestinal tract, probiotics.  Probiotic organisms protect us from infections with harmful microbes.  Olive leaf is similar to olive oil in that it has benefits for cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure.  It also has a beneficial effect on the high blood sugar levels that are seen in the condition diabetes.  Olive leaf may be recommended for treating colds, yeast infections, parasitic infections like tapeworm, hookworm, flatworm and roundworm, viral infections, bacterial infections, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Olive leaf is found as encapsulated herb or liquid extract.  Olive leaf products should be standardized as an assurance of the amount of active ingredients they contain.  Olive leaf can be found in combination products for immune boosting, candidiasis, blood pressure regulation, heart health, and blood sugar control.

Diabetics, hypoglycemics, individuals on hypertensive medication and individuals with gallstones should use olive leaf supplements with caution. 
 

Oregano is a well-known spice in Italian cooking.  This plant is just as useful in the medicine cabinet as it is in the kitchen.  Oregano extracts have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity.  Chronic infections, like candidiasis, and contagious new viruses, like SARS, seem to be inhibited by oregano.  Oregano not only kills infecting microbes in the respiratory tract but also acts as an expectorant (helps to expel mucus) and antispasmodic (relieves coughing). 
 

In the digestive tract oregano soothes digestion and decreases diarrhea, by stopping intestinal spasms.  It also kills gastrointestinal microbes and decreases gas and bloating.  Oregano can be used topically for skin infections, like athlete’s foot.  Oregano may be recommended for treating colds, coughs, chronic respiratory conditions, yeast infections, viral infections, bacterial infections, diarrhea and indigestion.  

Oregano can be purchased as a loose herb, encapsulated herb, spice or essential oil.  The loose herb can be made into a tea for topical application, inhalation or internal use.  Oregano may be a part of teas for soothing digestion.  The spice is often added to dishes for prevention of bacterial contamination.  Oregano can be found in combination products for colds and flus, immune boosting, candidiasis and digestion.  The essential oil of oregano is a highly concentrated substance.  It comes in various strengths, sometimes referred to as a percentage (i.e.: P73).  Stronger is not always better and if you are using oregano oil for the first time you will probably find a moderate strength preparation (40-60%) is suitable.  When using essential oils topically, especially in sensitive areas, be sure to test the oil first on a small area.  If necessary, dilute the oil in carrier oil, such as olive, almond or any cooking oil.  When using essential oils internally keep in mind that they do not mix well in water.