Oil of Oregano is a very popular natural health supplement commonly used to help reduce upper respiratory infections.

And up until a short time ago, oil of oregano was readily accepted by the NHPD (Natural Health Products Directorate) and met Health Canada regulations. But that may soon change. And not necessarily for the better.

According to the CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association), "Health Canada's concern with certain oil of oregano preparations stem for the level of the substance carvacrol (note: carvacrol is an alcohol that is naturally present in oil of oregano). Carvacrol can be toxic to humans in high concentrations, including those concentrations found in certain oil of oregano Natural Health Products."

So what does that mean to you the consumer? Oil of oregano may not be available in the future, or at least with any significant concentration of carvacrol. Health Canada is requesting new evidence to prove the safety of this supplement (ie: human clinical trials). As it stands right now, few clinical trials have investigated the safety of carvacrol within humans.

Yet it appears that this is not currently a safety issue, but rather Health Canada looking for new evidence to prove that oil of oregano is safe. And perhaps as early this fall, it is possible they may issue a stop sale on this popular traditional natural health remedy.

The CHFA is encouraging consumers to get involved in the natural product industry. They have published a new website geared specifically towards consumer education. Go to wwwnhpsnotdrugs.ca for more details.

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