First, in case some think that they missed JUNE's Newsletter, there wasn't one! What with one thing and another, I never got around to it.

Justin's birthday was a huge success and he asks me to thank all those who took the trouble to send him best wishes on such an auspicious day. My word, can the young eat and drink!

Having enthused last month about at last having room to move we made the mistake of giving him a 1960 Austin A40 (how many of you can remember them?) to restore. Now, instead of being surrounded with bottles and packaging, I am knee-deep in disassembled motor parts!

Meanwhile MOUNT FARM is working really well and, despite a total lack of creature comforts, all there seem to enjoy their new environment in the middle of a farmyard. Needless to say I am still lurking at Laundry Cottage, which provides an uninterrupted opportunity to catch up on things I should have done months ago.

JAN and JANNY are away today, attending the last session of their N.O.R.A. 'Science of Essential Oils' course. They both agree that it has enhanced their knowledge of essential oils but, at the same time, has made them appreciate how much they already knew! One complaint (corroborated by others), however, is the persistent, and blatent, 'pushing of product' by some lecturers. This is sad as, to my mind, it undermines the educational credibility of such a course.

Similarly, there is an increasing tendency for UNQUALIFIED oil suppliers to give aromatherapy advice. This is not to be commended, as it can confuse, and often mislead, students and qualified therapists alike. A case in point is the use of CLARY SAGE in ANTE and POST NATAL CARE. Not being a qualified aromatherapist myself, I would not comment but would refer the question to someone whose knowledge I respect. In fact, I did not even have to pick up the 'phone. A quick flip through the back issues of the IFA's AROMATHERAPY TIMES revealed two specific references, by JENNY CHILTON and JOLANTA BASNYET, recommending its use in such conditions. Yet last month I received numerous calls, prompted by a recent lecture by one of my peers, questioning its use in such circumstances. If in doubt, ask those who have the qualification and practical experience of use!

In like vein, I was horrified to receive from, of all people, one of the country's most eminent plant geneticists an article from June's edition of NEW WOMAN (not my usual reading!) exhorting 'The truth about aromatherapy oils - magic or POISON?' Honestly, I am as fed up with this sort of reporting as I almost am with the trial of the Prince of Wales by the media! The same old story: pennyroyal, basil, etc. Where has the author of this depressing piece, FRANCESCA NELSON, been for the last few years?! I quote ...”NEW WOMAN wants the Government to legislate...proper information and protection is needed now.”

If any of you are readers (or even if you are not) of NEW WOMAN, I am not suggesting that you terminate your subscription (Janny tells me that it is rather good in fact), but DO write or telephone either Ms. Nelson or the Editor. Articles of this tenor do little but confuse and mislead. As I have oft' said before, it is OUR industry and worthy of our support.

The subjects of my esoteric comment this month are all fortuitous, all being suggested by chance enquiry.

You will probably have noticed that we have never stocked AMYRIS (Amyris balsamifera). Why not? Probably because I can find no proven use for it in aromatherapy and yet it is offered on many lists. Originally from Haiti, but now introduced elsewhere, West Indian sandalwood (as it is often known) is widely used in perfumes and cosmetics as a substitute for East Indian sandalwood (Santalum album). Wanda Sellar, in her DIRECTORY OF ESSENTIAL OILS, does hint that it may have similar properties to its illustrious East Indian namesake, but I wonder? Currently difficult to obtain, due to an import embargo, we do have stock. Does anyone have experience of its use in aromatherapy? If so, I should love to hear from you.

Another oil, about which I knew nothing and yet about which I was continuously being asked, is AMBER OIL. What is, or from what, Amber Oil? Several enquiries revealed a confusing range of answers. Originally, I had erroneously thought that people were seeking AMBERGRIS, which we used to find occasionally washed up on the beach in the South Pacific. A light, fatty, inflammable substance, from the intestines of the cachalot or sperm whale, this morbid secretion was formerly used in high class perfumery and in cookery and medicine.

Obviously that wasn't the answer. Some suggested that it was oil extracted from the yellowish translucent fossil resin, found chiefly on the southern shores of the Baltic, but this did not sound really right.. Ambrette or Amber Seed (Abelmoschus moschatus) sounded more likely or, perhaps, one of the Anthospermum (sometimes known as the amber-tree).

Even stockists of so-called AMBER OIL were somewhat ambiguous in their answers. Interestingly, none seemed to give a botanical classification which either indicated that they did not know or that it was a fabrication of man.

Therefore, it was with some amazement and unconcealed delight that I received guidance from my colonial cousin (as he is affectionately known in the Wells household), our American customer.

From THE BOOK OF SUFI (A Mohammedan pantheistic philosopher and mystic) HEALING, I learn that Oil of Amber is derived from a species of pine (Picea succinfera). Actually the same basic substance as amber beads and stones (which have hardened for several million more years), the oil is manufactured from the resin.

Apparently, there are only three locations in the world where real amber can be found, the best coming from the Near East, Russia and the Dominican Republic. Whilst some will distil oil from the sap of trees (presumably freshly tapped), the cognoscenti prefer to grind down the stones into powder and then heat it to retrieve the oil.

Commonly prescribed for heart conditions by medical doctors in the 1920's, it is little used in the West today but a drop applied to the point of the 'Third Eye' is absorbed by the body and stimulates the pineal gland.

Jan has just returned from her course, full of exciting news, and I am delighted that, at last, the virtues of MANUKA (Leptospermum scoparium) are being extolled (some will recollect my attempts to put KANUKA (Leptospermum ericoides) on the map many months ago) and the benefits of MELISSA WATER which, as producers, we have been pouring down the drain! More (there will have to be) on this next month. Meanwhile, in certain scientific quarters, MANUKA is considered the oil that can kill the bugs that TEA TREE cannot reach! Before we start importing, why not request a copy of our Data Sheet on the oil?

The first distillation of WILD VERBENA (Lippia asperifolia) has arrived and I eagerly await the chromatograph to see how much, if at all, it varies from L. citriodora/Aloysia triphylla. I hope that you will appreciate our continuing policy to grow and distil those oils which are most commonly adulterated or only available as Nature Identicals.

At last, the second batch of FRANGIPANI has arrived - thank you to all those who have waited so long - and I continue to be fascinated by this honey-like substance. Remember to warm it in your hands, as it solidifies very quickly.

Another high point of last month was the receipt of NELLY GROSJEAN's new book, VETERINARY AROMATHERAPY. Another favourite topic of mine, I am really pleased that someone of Nelly's undoubted enthusiasm and knowledge has taken the horse by the bit! Unashamedly, I commend all pet owners to get a copy! Recently, the 'ruler of the roost', my ever present parrot companion, has taken to biting the hand that feeds him. Interestingly, this coincided with his move to a new cage which, obviously, is causing him stress, anxiety and dejection. Nelly recommends  a drop of Neroli twice a day (expensive!), to be taken internally (this assumes that I can get near him in his present mood), or a diffusion of Lavender, Marjoram and Neroli for 5 minutes, 4 to 5 times a day. We shall see, or he runs a serious risk of being traded for a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig which currently takes my fancy in the local Pet Shop!

Recently, we have had several requests for AROMASTONES which, at first, I thought were those fragrance coated pebbles (a sort of aromatherapy equivalent of Smarties), the efficacy of which I have never quite appreciated, but the legend tells me "Once you have enjoyed the simplicity and appeal of using the AROMASTONE it'll be the VAPORISER you will always use." Well, there you are! Having used one in the office, I must admit that it works well, is easy to clean, and is remarkably unobtrusive. Above all, its weight and design makes it very safe for use.

Finally, despite your tremendous efforts, we did not hit the magic 10,000 last month (I can't be selling enough!) and so the chance of £100 of free oils or CASH is still there! Now, do I sound like a salesman?! Fortify yourselves for the school holidays! Seriously, have a wonderful summer and enjoy!

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