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Burned Esophagus by Undiluted Oregano Oil?

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Posted 8/29/2014 8:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Approximately two weeks ago I put ten drops of undiluted oregano oil in a capsule and swallowed, but the oil was released in the esophagus on the way down to stomach. The day and thereafter I have problem with lump feeling (like food stuck) in esophagus, it was very noticeable and first I didn't relate this feeling to the previous intake of undiluted oregano oil. Five days after I started to take omeprazole 20mg/day because I didn't really know what was wrong and thought it was temporary acid reflux or something like that(I never had problem with acid reflux before or anything esophagus related, so I didn't know how it felt like).

Now the lump feeling in the esophagus is somewhat better, but still noticeable. When I eat it feels like the esophagus is narrowed and when I swallow there is a noticeable resistance, and it is not as before this accident when food just slipped down to the stomach with ease. I also have problems with acid taste in mouth especially in the morning when I wake up, even if I take omeprazole (which I have taken for eight days), and I can't eat like before because of the food stuck feeling, but I'm still able to swallow. However this is really annoying and uncomfortable!

I know this was terrible stupid to ingest undiluted oregano oil, when you should always dilute it before ingested, even if taken in a capsule. Can the oregano oil have burned my esophagus and caused my describe problems? If so how long does it take for the esophagus to heal? Can the damage be permanent? What can I do to speed up the healing process?

Best regards,
Posted 8/30/2014 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum, rusarch.

I guess you learned from that experience. Home remedies like that are medicine and can have serious side effects.

Your omeprazole may not be prescription strength. Generally, OTC drugs are half of prescription.

It makes a big difference how you take omeprazole too. You have to take it first thing before eating, and then you must eat half an hour to an hour later. The drug has to get into the small intestine where the enteric coated granules are released and get into the blood stream. They get to the back of the stomach acid pumps which have to be active in order for the drug to shut them down.

Omeprazole doesn't treat the esophagus. You might try a liquid like Gavescon to coat it; just don't take too much.

You might have some swelling or inflammation going on in the esophagus, hopefully not a permanent narrowing. But if it goes on or gets worse you should definitely see a gastroenterologist! I would guess a couple of weeks should be enough and would be making an appointment because you rarely get in the next day. I certainly hope you will recover soon!
Posted 8/31/2014 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I've tried oregano oil and it is like swallowing fire! It's good for all kinds of things, and can be used topically, but yes swallowing neat would be very painful!

You could try things like throat lozenges, or "throat coat" tea (throat comfort tea I know it as) which contains licorice and marshmallow and is very soothing. Aloe vera might help with healing too.

Hope it's better soon!

MMM
Posted 8/31/2014 8:41 PM (GMT 0)

Alcie said...
Welcome to the forum, rusarch.

I guess you learned from that experience. Home remedies like that are medicine and can have serious side effects.

Your omeprazole may not be prescription strength. Generally, OTC drugs are half of prescription.

It makes a big difference how you take omeprazole too. You have to take it first thing before eating, and then you must eat half an hour to an hour later. The drug has to get into the small intestine where the enteric coated granules are released and get into the blood stream. They get to the back of the stomach acid pumps which have to be active in order for the drug to shut them down.

Omeprazole doesn't treat the esophagus. You might try a liquid like Gavescon to coat it; just don't take too much.

You might have some swelling or inflammation going on in the esophagus, hopefully not a permanent narrowing. But if it goes on or gets worse you should definitely see a gastroenterologist! I would guess a couple of weeks should be enough and would be making an appointment because you rarely get in the next day. I certainly hope you will recover soon!

Thank you for your reply and tips Alcie. I have certainly learned from this experience, that hot essential oils should be really treated with respect! All hot essential oils should really be labelled with warning labels, and clear instructions how to use it. Of course it's your own responsibility that you use it with care, but warning labels and clear instructions how to use it would not be too much requested.

I have an appointment with a doctor next week for an another reason and if it hasn't improved then I will ask eventually if he can refer me to a gastroenterologist. I will also try Gaviscon Advance tablets, but you said I should not take too much. How much is too much? What will happen if I take too much? Of course I will read the instructions before use, but just wanted to know what you mean with too much.

Good that you pointed out that I should take omeprazole half an hour to an hour before I eat, which isn't what I can read in the instructions. It's only written that you could take it without or with food.

I also hope that I will recover soon, and thank you for wishing me so! I will keep you updated how I progress, and thank you again for you reply!

Post Edited (rusarch) : 8/31/2014 3:00:15 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/31/2014 8:56 PM (GMT 0)

mudmagnetmum said...
Hi there,

I've tried oregano oil and it is like swallowing fire! It's good for all kinds of things, and can be used topically, but yes swallowing neat would be very painful!

You could try things like throat lozenges, or "throat coat" tea (throat comfort tea I know it as) which contains licorice and marshmallow and is very soothing. Aloe vera might help with healing too.

Hope it's better soon!

MMM

Thank you for your reply and tips mudmagnetmum. Oregano oil is certainly very hot oil! It's good oil but as I said it should be treated with respect.

I'm already drinking licorice tea and aloe vera juice, but have not yet tried marshmallow. I'm thinking of trying marshmallow and slippery elm, but first I will try Gaviscon, and see if it will help.

Thank you for wishing me luck in the healing progress, and as I said to Alcie I will keep you updated about how it goes. Thank you again for your reply!

Post Edited (rusarch) : 8/31/2014 3:34:36 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/10/2016 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Frankie2, I hope you are fine at this moment!

I forgot to update about this. I did a gastroscopy and a barium swallow test, and everything came back normal. I recovered completely after two weeks I began with duloxetine a k a Cymbalta two-three weeks before Christmas 2014, so I think this was probably anxiety. However the oregano oil may have triggered the anxiety reaction, with its burning. However I'm totally fine now regarding my esophagus and it feels like normal.
Posted 7/1/2018 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hate to revive an old thread, but i'm now having this same problem, cheers to the guys that got better, its been 3 days for me, hoping to heal. I'm staying away from citrus and acidic foods, trying to eat honey and aloe vera products, and lots of water.
Posted 12/8/2019 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Screw aloe vera "products." Just get a live Aloe plant, cut off one of its appendages, Set the round side down (flat side up) on a cutting board, peel the top flat part off with a knife, and scoop out the flesh/goo with a spoon, and eat it. It tastes like nothing, just gooey. It might help your esophagus.
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