Oil of Oregano...good or bad?

[cat woman]

I've been taking oil of oregano happily, a few (maybe 3) drops, maybe 3 times a day to help combat any nasty flu germs that may be floating around.
Yesterday, I was talking to someone at a socail gathering (I think she was a herbalist) who said that oil of oregano causes kidney damage with long term use! (I've been taking it for about a month)
I can't really find any conclusive data on the internet....
Does anyone have any thoughts or info?

[Chefguy]

Not sure where you got the idea that it has any effect on flu germs, but here (http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T223028.html) is one of the approximately 39,000 sites found on Google by typing in "oregano oil side effects". It doesn't appear that side effects include kidney damage, but it also doesn't seem to be advisable to take it undiluted.

[Squink]

Carvacrol, or cymophenol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carvacrol), C6H3CH3(OH)(C3H7), is a monoterpenoid phenol. It has a characteristic pungent, warm odor of oregano and a pizza-like taste. Carvacrol inhibits the growth of several bacteria strains, e.g. Escherichia coli[5] and Bacillus cereus. Its low toxicity together with its pleasant taste and smell suggests its use as a food additive to prevent bacterial contamination.[6] In Pseudomonas aeruginosa it causes damages to the cell membrane of these bacteria and, unlike other terpenes, inhibits the proliferation of this germ.[7] The cause of the antimicrobial properties is believed to be disruption of the bacteria membrane.[8][9]
It is a potent activator of the human ion channels transient receptor potential V3 (TRPV3) and A1 (TRPA1).[10] Application of carvacrol on the human tongue, as well as activation of TRPV3, causes a sensation of warmth. In addition carvacrol also activates, but rapidly desensitizes the pain receptor TRPA1 explaining its pungency.[10]
In rats carvacrol is quickly metabolized and excreted. The main metabolic route is esterification of the phenolic group with sulfuric acid and glucuronic acid. A minor pathway is oxidation of the terminal methyl groups to primary alcohols. After 24 hours only very small amounts of carvacrol or its metabolites could be found in urine, indicating an almost complete excretion within one day.Take home message:
It tastes like Pizza!