A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

What a marvellous break but, oh, how difficult to get going again!

We remained half-open which enabled us to catch up with the backlog that had accumulated prior to Christmas. However, despite this, we are still receiving news of parcels turning up three weeks late, but they ARE getting there eventually!

To cope with the rush, we experimented with a semi-automatic capping machine - those ridged caps play havoc with the fingers after the first few thousand - BUT disaster! After the sixth report of a leaking parcel, there had to be something wrong. You've guessed it, the machine was out of adjustment. Our deep apologies.

Upon reflection, we do not seem to have much luck with our attempts to automate. We had a fully automatic filling machine on trial for months, but it never remained in calibration for more than one hundred bottles. In fact, the regular attendance of the sales engineer was becoming an increasing embarrassment!

And so it is back to finger stalls and a steady hand!

At last, I have a new typewriter. Absolute bliss! I eschewed the 'glossy' offers of word processors and computers, which seemed to do EVERYTHING, in favour of a more familiar 'finger thumper'. At least I am happy!

On Christmas Eve the BLUE CHAMOMILE arrived from Tanzania. For those who had placed orders for it, I hope that the wait was worth it. Trying to clear Customs at the festive season is not the easiest of tasks and at one time I wondered if I would ever make it back to Banbury! As it was, it was almost midnight.

It continues to fascinate me how beautifully packaged are goods from Lesser Developed Countries - strong wooden boxes, brown string and sealing wax - and takes me back to the days when Jan and I were exporting Coconut Oil Soap from Vanuatu. It is such a pity that we cannot afford to send your parcels in similar fashion.

These particular oils - Blue and Green Chamomile - have tested particularly well and will now be regulars on our List. This Chamomile Oil is hydro-distilled (not steam) and is heated by indirect gas flame and the charge is continually agitated with a small electric agitator.

The charge is a bulked mixture of flowers (sun dried) taken over 4 weeks of harvesting. Interestingly, wet flowers yield the GREEN oil, and dry flowers give the BLUE oil. Yields to date (0.48%) have not been as high as we had hoped (0.75%), but we shall keep trying. It is possible that greater attention to harvesting time (heat of the day as opposed to all day) will assist. We also believe that the quantitative and qualitative variations stem from the materials distilled. In particular, high altitude (6000 feet above sea level) growths seem to be superior.

Another plant that grows well in Tanzania, and at which we are looking, is LIPPIA JAVANICA - a WILD VERBENA. It has a peculiar and attractive scent and is used by the Maasai as a marinade and by various other peoples as an infusion. It is said to have a calming effect on nerves.

Whilst discussing plants African, I have recently been evaluating BAOBAB or MONKEY'S BREAD (Adansonia digitata). Reputed to have the thickest trunk and to be the longest-lived of any tree in the world (3000 years), the fruit is contained in a greenish, hard, oval pod. When cracked open the pod reveals a number of bean-sized seeds. The oil is extracted by pounding the seeds. The oil is used as a rub to relieve aches, pains and rheumatism but, more especially, to treat skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis.

A couple of Newsletters ago, I asked for information about people's experiences with LAVENDER. I am indebted to BEVERLEY ALEXANDER of Three Counties College of Advanced Reflexology for the following account .......

"I had been getting varied reports from my students on their use of Lavender Oil, but was rather confused as some of the students were saying that it seemed to have the opposite effect to what they had been told. For example, one student had two children who, unless immediately put to bed after their bath, would be up all evening. I advised her to put 2 to 3 drops in their bath or, alternately, put some in a pomander above their bed. She did this (the pomander and the bath!), but to her horror, rather than relaxing them, they had gone haywire, almost out of control! Overhearing our conversation, another student reported that the oil made her quite poorly and she also was unable to sleep. I was getting rather concerned and started to ask around various aromatherapists - none could understand - and all asked the same question as myself ... are you sure you did not use a higher dose? The universal answer was NO!"

Thankfully, a nurse came to Beverley's aid with an article from NURSING TIMES, August 5, Volume 88, No. 32, 1992 - WHICH LAVENDER OIL? Not wishing to contravene NT's copyright, I can only suggest that you GET A COPY! Whilst the article itself contains nothing startlingly new, it does highlight how much one can forget and certainly had me scanning the relevant bibliography mentioned. Thanks Beverley!

In summary, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA is reputed to be relaxing, hypotensive, sedative, but IN SMALL DOSES ONLY. In high doses it has the reverse effect. In aromatherapy a little is often better than a lot!

An increasing trend towards the use of aromatherapy on horses and small pets has prompted me to take on board a range of essential oil based petcare products - OZVET. I bet that you can guess the main ingredient - TEA TREE OIL!

Already the OZVET range, which includes a soothing anti-itch lotion which is claimed to be an extremely effective remedy for the problematic sweet itch and puts an end to mane and tail rubbing, has been well received by the equestrian market. The equestrian range also includes Super Cleansing Shampoo, Super Show Conditioner, Purple Spray and Fly and Insect Repellent.

I particularly like the CUT AND WOUND SPRAY which is also included in the Cat and Dog range.

All are packaged in 250ml containers and attractively labelled. To my mind, not that cheap but there has been little price resistance in the High Street so far. If you are interested in this range, please give me a ring or drop me a line. Obviously, these items will be included in our new Price List which should be out shortly.

We now have BLUE 5ml and l0ml BOTTLES to complement our existing GREEN BOTTLES. Again, not cheap but they do provide that unique selling point that so many have requested. We also stock BLUE and GREEN 50ml bottles. These are ideal for those who wish to put together packs with a carrier oil, or who wish to sell their own blends. They would grace any bathroom!

Knowing how much you all like the opportunity to purchase that small luxury from time to time, we have recently bought in some CRIMEAN ROSE (Rosa centifolia). I had hoped that it might have been from one of the dark red Rosa gallica types, but it is definitely from the pink R. centifolia, but none the worse for that. Worth a try!

As far as SPECIAL OFFERS for this month are concerned it will have to be a potpourri as last month's 2 for 1 has left us a little short.

Finally, a few encouraging statistics to help you into the New Year.

• In 1992, 2% of all adults surveyed (15yrs+) purchased an aromatherapy product.
   
• Whilst no hard data are available, aromatherapy oils were purported to show the strongest growth in 1992.
   
• Over the next five years real sector growth is expected to continue, particularly in aromatherapy, at 20%, discounting inflation.
   
• Aromatherapy is now one of the five major therapies.

On that note, HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR.

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