If you search the site for oregano oil, it seems like there are a number of conversations about it.  I would like to go read what people wrote, too.  Interesting topic!

I tried but didn't have any success. i know other people on here have had success. I may not have given it enough time before I stopped taking it,

This response is about a year and a half late, but since I was also looking into the question of how long one can take oil of oregano for, and came across this post while searching, I thought that I'd share my findings here. The following two website have this to say (excerpts):

https://www.drberg.com/blog/14...efits-of-oregano-oil

( https://archive.vn/lCpa3 )

"Oregano oil is a potent short-term natural remedy that can be used daily for a maximum of two weeks..."

"Taking oregano oil for extended periods can cause an imbalance of beneficial gut bacteria, allergic reactions, and skin irritations."

"However, it’s important to remember that oregano oil isn’t recommended for long-term use and should be taken for a maximum of two weeks to avoid side effects."

https://www.verywellhealth.com/oregano-8412166

( https://archive.vn/zsIsN )

"Large doses of oregano can increase bleeding. If you are having surgery, you should stop using oregano supplements two weeks prior."

"Because oregano contains vitamin K, people who take blood-thinning medications should monitor their intake."

I have taken oregano oil for short stints and when I took it for a bit of a longer time, I noticed that certain things caused bleeding when they wouldn't normally, like my gums would bleed more when flossing, and also cuts would bleed a little more.  It seems like it thinned the blood.  I stopped taking it and those symptoms went away.  I do not know if it was really the cause, though.  But it can have the blood thinning effect, so....

I would still take it to fend off minor infections or if I think I'd been exposed to a virus.  I just haven't needed to for a while. I have been taking this supplement called "Immy" to help my immune system fight off stuff and it seems to have helped my system become more hearty. 

Regarding the introduction of helpful bacteria, the Immy product that you mentioned (https://immy.co/) sounds interesting.

I've been thinking of trying the Visbiome product (https://www.visbiome.com/pages...one-formulation-prob) based on some of the discussions elsewhere on this website about consuming oil of oregano during the day and consuming good bacteria at the end of the day, in an attempt to reduce the risk of losing good bacteria from the oregano.

I'd like to continue taking the oil of oregano longer than two weeks, since it seems like I might still be dealing with a case of pouchitis (trying to avoid antibiotics), and maybe adding good bacteria as recommended might minimize the potential problems with taking oregano for too long.

Now I'm just left wondering if should begin taking Visbiome or Immy. I'm leaning more towards Visbiome and thinking that maybe Immy might be more for longer term maintenance. I'd be interested in hearing if Immy has been helpful with reducing or regulating inflammation, and perhaps preventing or delaying future instances of flare ups or pouchitis.

[ Edited to correct duplicated text ]

I posted about it on this group but didn't get any responses. My pouch has been pretty good since I started taking Immy. I don't tend to get full blown pouchitis but sometimes I get inflammation in that area.  I think Immy and Visbiome do different things and wouldn't need to be substituted for each other or fight each other: they could probably work well together if they work at all. I take Visbiome and other probiotics randomly for periods of time when I'm feeling yeasty, then I leave off for a while. Fermented foods can help. 

I think the things that have had a most noticeable and direct effect for my system are organic psyllium husk powder before meals and digestive enzymes. Gut surgery and aging can both reduce the body's ability to produce digestive enzymes.  Generic Beano and Now Plant Enzymes have been the most helpful. I get more energy from my food and the waste is better processed. I also have been taking Fodzyme, which is the only enzyme product that helps with fructans. It seems to help too, especially with garlic and onions, which I love but tend to be gassy for me. The enzymes have increased the types of food I can eat without too much discomfort. I have tried a gluten digestive enzyme occasionally but I eat wheat so rarely that I'm not sure it helps. I'm not celiac, I just get bloating from a lot of the refined wheat products, and I have developed a distaste for them so I'm not usually tempted. Same goes for dairy. 

This gut experiment is so interesting because we are all different. They say the microbiome is like a fingerprint, so we all have to work it out for ourselves. I have learned a lot from this group and I am always experimenting on myself when new products come out. I'm a sucker for trying the new supplement that is going to fix everything. Ha! Two recent rejects: HA and berberine.

It has indeed been a fascinating experience, and along the way it's important to always try to keep the bigger picture in mind (i.e., balancing the good and the bad), and having an above average degree of appreciation -- really helps with one's perspective and being at peace. Thanks for sharing your additional experiences and perspective. I'll continue diversifying my experiments as my budget allows, and documenting my findings, and will see where I end up with this particular aspect of health in the months and years ahead, as is the case for all of us on this shared path of discoveries and frustrations.

Oh I forgot to say that Jini Patel, who wrote "Listen to Your Gut," took oregano oil for a year. And yeah, this experimenting can be expensive. I hope to find some things that work and hopefully they won't be the most expensive. I'm not wealthy and it looks like the gap between the poor and rich will probably keep on widening in the US, where I live.

Cross-posting a status update: https://www.j-pouch.org/topic/...9#728953969407754529