Ailment: Mites (demodex mites)

Remedy: Oregano oil

Oregano (origanum vulgare) is a perennial herb native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean. It is sometimes called wild marjoram, and is closely related to sweet marjoram. It is 20-90cm tall, with opposing dark green leaves and purple-pink flowers in erect spikes. The leaves are widely used in cooking, and essential oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers by steam distillation.

Oregano oil is high in antioxidant activity, due to its high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids. It is also a powerful antimicrobial.

It is used to treat colds, influenza, mild fevers, fungal infections, ear infections, indigestion, enteric parasites and painful menstruation. It is a strong sedative. Mild teas are soothing and ensure restful sleep. It is an excellent antiseptic, and may be used directly on the skin.

Oregano is effective against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Comment posted by Just One Seabird of Columbia, MD, USA on 19 June 2022 at 13:20       5355

YES
I had a Demodex infestation of my scalp. Thick hair, seriously hard to treat. Hypoallergenic dog shampoo has done more to cure me than anything else. I buy a dog shampoo that is designed for 1:10 dilution. The mix ratio is 2 teaspoons of shampoo, 1 teaspoon of oregano oil, 17 teaspoons of water. In mL that s 10 mL shampoo, 5 ml oregano oil, 85 mL water. This will make 100 mL, or just under 4 ounces. To use, put the mixture in a bottle with an applicator nozzle or dispensing cap flip top, small hole. Saturate dry hair paying close attention to the nape of the neck and hair behind and just in front of the ears, but get all of the hair thoroughly wetted with this solution. Lather it up. There will be a delayed sensation of warmth on your scalp. This is good, it means the solution is strong enough. Comb this through your hair with a plastic nit comb to make sure it’s down to your scalp. Leave this in your hair for anywhere from ten minutes to an hour, then rinse it out and reapply. Let this second application sit on your hair for another fifteen minutes at least, then rinse. I follow up with a leave-in conditioner, with two drops of oregano oil per 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of conditioner. This goes into damp hair, and you don’t need much. You will again feel a delayed warmth. As long as this is comfortable warmth, it’s good.
It can take time for your scalp to become accustomed to oregano oil, it is very strong. If you feel too much heat from the shampoo, rinse it all out and use blue dawn detergent on your hair to strip it off.
Note: you really do need to do the triple application here. Doctors treating demodex on eyelashes, using tea tree oil, do three scrubs 5 to 10 minutes apart for one office visit. This is because Demodex hide in the follicles, and the first treatment only kills mites on the surface, but it drives mites out of the follicles where the second and third treatments can kill them. Do this every day if you can tolerate it, or every other day if you prefer do the hair conditioner overnight each night. In a week you should see major improvement. Be patient. A note for other contributors. PLEASE describe the exact amounts you use so that other people can duplicate what you make. Otherwise people trying to figure it out could hurt themselves with mixtures that are too strong, or get resistant mites by using mixtures that are too weak.

Comment posted by Verdae of Conyers, Georgia, USA on 29 October 2014 at 4:27       2991

YES
You can also add oil of oregano to your products. It has worked wonders for me!

Comment posted by JM of San Diego, CA, San Diego on 26 May 2014 at 10:15       2583

YES
Hello, I'm leaving a few tips to assist some of the people who are on the right track, but aren't quite optimal in remedies. Also, these could help break some plateaus if you've been tending to the issue for months/years with weaker pay-offs. Depending on individual circumstances & body chemistry variations...there should be something here for everyone: 1. Try to avoid too much hot water in laundering & bathing. Just as there is sweet blood, there is also various bacteria & fungus acting as attractors. The invaders may not be after you, personally....but there's common fungi/bacteria they feed on. End showers (NO baths in early treatments) with as cold water rinse as you can stand, with extra attention to feet. Fungi/bacteria/mold THRIVE in warm, moist areas (The fungi/bacteria/mold is also the prime reason why one person may be suffering & no one else in the environment is. Personal chemistry & immune systems are factors to consider). Try laundering in cold water (add some ice if you prefer) & forgo the dryer. Hang dry in sunny areas in/outdoors. They don't like, or can't survive, natural light. 2. Iron your cloths & (especially) bedding with highest setting. Ensure you can be uninterrupted as this can be a safety hazard if you're not paying attention. 3. TTO, Neem, Clove, Coconut, Oregano, Garlic, Eucalyptus & Peppermint are all excellent remedies. Do not be afraid to experiment around with these. Learn what makes each one a necessary ally in eliminating the pests. When you're more aware of WHY it is effective, you know how to utilize it even better. I discovered misting my bedding & myself with a 1 part TTO with 3 parts water with a drop or 2 of alcohol in a misting bottle worked wonders. You can travel with one as personal use & set aside a mixture with a higher alcohol content for home use. ADJUST to YOUR OWN personal chemistry/results. 4. You'll find a overall benefit in environment & self with essential oil candles with potent fragrances like citrus or cedar...something with a slight sharpness in concentration, but pleasant as it warms & dissipates as a antibacterial deoderizer. 5. Perhaps one of the bigger advantages you'll find is if you shower with Betadine (iodine) solution. Yes, you'll have the horrid orange/brown visual of a bad fake tan, but it is extremely rinsable! You'll need to experience it for yourself, and even then you may not believe what you see. Use it with a bland antibacterial liquid cleanser & DO NOT immediately rinse...let it absorb. POTENT & INSTANTANEOUS results ensue. These are the first that come to mind... I no longer deal with this circumstance & came upon this page by accident. After reading some testimonies & concerns, I was hopeful some part of it will be the finishing touch someone here needs to be pest-free. Good Luck!

Comment posted by Kelley of Mount Vernon, WA, USA on 6 March 2014 at 14:7       2375

YES
After nearly a YEAR of fighting a demodex infestation, I procured some **high quality brand** oregano oil. After only a few days, there has been a dramatic reduction in symptoms. I add a couple of drops to a tablespoon of coconut oil, blend and rub it into my skin twice a day. SO grateful to have found relief!!

Question posted by Elaine of Petawawa, ON, Canada on 21 July 2013 at 22:50       1283

kgal...could you say how many drops of lemon etc you added to the grapeseed oil. thank you

Comment posted by kgal of seattle, WA, USA on 4 July 2013 at 18:47       1262

YES
I finally, like most of you, realized mighty mites were causing my serial sadness and upon that epiphany I could not for the life of me find my tea tree oil! Instead, 've been making a mix of Lemon oil, Rosemary oil, Oregano Oil, Lavender Oil, and Grapeseed oil (for diluting, and lighter than Almond). The little guys exploded from every inch of me the first time I applied it, I was equally grossed out and GRATEFUL. Also - go buy Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. You'll have to check farms or just order it online, but a heaping teaspoon a day, keeps the mites away! If anyone saw the wardrobe box sized amount of "products" I have purchased over the last year to rid my mug of these mites (after being told it was hormonal, then staph, then seborrhea dermatitis, or folliculitis, which are all treated in ways that essentially don't treat mites) they would institutionalize me. What don't dermatologists understand about, "hey DOC - this is my FACE you're ignoring for a ridiculous amount of money!"