Welcome to 2000! A very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! I wonder what it holds in store?  As usual I am having to write this a month in advance so that it hits your doormat immediately after the holiday and, therefore, I do not even know if I shall have survived Y2K and all that, but here’s hoping!  As it is, I am sitting under a welter of orders as the phone clamours continuously enquiring where they are. And to think that we still have December to come! Still it has been a real pleasure to be back “on the lines”: to speak again with customers old and new has been a revitalising experience. Too often I fear, as businesses grow, the founders get separated from their roots. It is perhaps too easy to sit back, or to pursue other activities, whilst others get on with the day-to-day matters. Well I like to think that I am now relatively back on the ball, having dusted off the cobwebs!

However, times change. Common sense in business dictates that we should concentrate on what we are good at.  In recent years, this has been elevated into the principle of core competency. But while the idea sounds simple, applying it objectively has never been easy. In the digital age, it is harder still.  New competitors can now attack our markets to a greater extent than ever before.  Having previously advertised little, we now advertise quite extensively. Why? To build so-called brand awareness.  Andrew Campbell, an academic strategist at London’s Ashridge Strategic Management Centre, suggests that brands fall into two categories: those that tell you the product is reliable and those that appeal to your taste.

Examples of the former might include BMW or Lloyds Bank; brands that carry the implicit assurance that your car will not break down or your bank go bust.  As to the latter, you might happen to like Coke more than Pepsi, or Burger King more than McDonald’s.  However, even brands like Coke, consist largely of information, in the form of image and impressions. But it is subjective information, controlled by the company and dispensed to the consumer.  When it comes to performance and reliability, consumers can increasingly collect information themselves.

When we started there were few regular meetings of aromatherapists and, to tell the truth, not that many therapists, but now there are several thousand therapists around the world and ample opportunities for them to get together now and again.  Add to this the fact that they can now inquire on the web to find out what others think about us and it is easy to understand our vulnerability.  Further, when purchasing their essential oils, they are working in an open market.  How many carry several suppliers’price lists in their handbags, to be mutually discussed at a convenient meeting?  Also most lists are displayed on the omnipresent web.  The resulting transparency makes any competitive advantage hard to sustain. The same applies to selling and marketing.  Not only can our competitors see what we are doing; increasingly, information on our products is shared by our customers.

The areas in the centre of the so-called value chain - research and development, manufacturing know-how, the generation of ideas - are harder to replicate. They are better hidden from the outside and are rather messier and less structured. All of which probably explains why I AM sitting under a pile of orders which is going down more slowly than usual!  I shall have to plan more carefully in the future.  Which reminds me....
A point worth noting.
Although I suspected that our 20ml for 10ml offer would go down quite well, which no doubt has contributed significantly to our current backlog, I had not quite expected such a demand for cosmetic base products and things like Aromastones: obviously all for Christmas presents.  It does strike me that Christmas has come very early this year (or have I merely been asleep?) but, if this trend continues, I would recommend that you stock up with base products in September and October in the future!   

Correcting a fault.
Recently I received a most interesting letter from Pat Ki, Principal of the School of Massage in Harrogate.....I am intrigued to know how the essential oil of Tagetes erecta applied topically can reverse a skeletal malformation (July Newsletter). Bunions are the result of osteoarthritis (Arthritis Research Council’s booklet ‘Osteoarthritis’ page 11), often emanating from a weight-bearing misfunction of the lower limb and more common in women than men.  Because women’s hips are wider their femurs angle-in causing over-pronation in the foot and consequently strain on the big toe joint (Podiatry article by Stephen Bloor of the Harrogate Podiatry Practice).  Perhaps Dr. Khan’s patients experienced an easing of soft tissue swelling or pain? I suspect that orthotics or surgery are the only means of correcting a bunion. My own podiatrist agrees. Thanks, Pat, I stand corrected!

Galactagogue or lactifuge?
Pat continued.....As for Jasmine and Lactation (November Newsletter): the petals have traditionally been applied to the breasts of mothers of stillborn babies in India to halt lactation. An experiment on lactating mice applying jasmine petals to the mammary glands in Group A and exposing Group B to petal fragrance alone resulted in “almost stopping” lactation in A and “reducing lactation” in B (Abraham, M. et al., (1979) Indian J. Med. Res., 69, 88-92). A second experiment with 60 women used topical application of jasmine petals to breasts or (oral?) dose of bromocriptine.  Although bromocriptine proved the more effective lactifuge, lactation was “suppressed” by both (Shrivastav, P. et al., (1988) Aust. NZ. J. Obstet. Gynaecol., 28, 68-71). Chopra’s galactagogue for lactifuge was probably a typing error - of such indeed Myths are Made!

Elinor Predota, on the other hand, suggests that it may act as either, depending on the condition of the woman to whom it is applied.  Many oils have balancing effects, rather than working “uni-directionally”.  Without detailed and extensive research it is impossible to prove, but is it not possible that Jasmine has alterative effects on lactation (i.e, reducing excessive lactation, and encouraging meagre lactation) rather than always and in every case being a galactagogue or a lactifuge? I think that she might have a point.  

How does prolactin work?
As pointed out by R.W. Turkington (J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 33, 210, 1971), prolactin interacts with receptors on mammary gland cells, resulting ultimately in the synthesis of casein, lactose synthetase, and other secretory milk products. On the other hand, inhibition of prolactin release from the anterior pituitary (such as occurs with use of the dopaminergic agonist, bromocriptine) prevents the initiation of lactation, and also suppresses lactation in women already lactating.

Although prolactin secretion appears to be controlled by a complex regulatory system involving both inhibitory and stimulatory factors (Yen, S.S.C., Reproductive Endocrinology: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management, 2nd Ed., pp. 237-263, 1986), the role of hypothalmic dopamine as a major prolactin inhibitory factor is considered to be firmly established. Thus, a variety of drugs (from plants), the actions of which serve to deplete dopamine levels or block dopamine receptors, may initiate galactorrhoea (Speroff, L. et al. Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, 4th Ed., 1989), and theoretically at least, might be able to initiate/improve lactation in post-partum women.
How about oestrogens?
Could oestrogens be responsible for the reputed galactogenic effects of any plants?  Substances exhibiting oestrogenic activity, e.g. coumestrol and the isoflavones, genistein and daidzen, do appear to be widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Oestrogens promote the synthesis and release of prolactin in both men and women by exerting a direct, stimulatory effect on the lactotropes of the anterior pituitary, and apparently can also antagonize the inhibitory action of dopamine at the pituitary level (Raymond, V. et al., J. Science 200, 1173, 1978). 

Paradoxically, it should be noted that oestrogens have been used to suppress post-partum  lactation, presumably because of an ability to block the peripheral action of prolactin (Brun del Re, R., et al. Obstet, Gynecol., 41, 884, 1973). Nevertheless, mere postponement (rather than prevention) of lactation and/or the occurrence of rebound lactation have been reported when oestrogens have been used in this way (Harrison, R.G., Sem. Perinatol., 3, 287, 1979).

Finally it should be noted that, in addition to Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton, Ricinus communis (Castor Oil), Moringa oleifera (Behen Oil), Aframomum melegueta (Alligator-pepper), and Portulaca quadrifida (Purslane) have all been reported as being used as both galactogogues and lactifuges.

My sincere thanks to Audrey S. Bingel and Norman R. Farnsworth of the Program for Collaborative Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, at the University of Illinois, without whose help I could never have attempted this hypothesis. 
 
Ravensara reviewed.
It is rare to see an oil specifically reviewed (Chemical Composition of a Commercial Oil of R. aromatica Sonn. Used in Aromatherapy.  J. Essent. Oil Res., Nov/Dec, 1999, 11, 677-678) because of its use in aromatherapy. Yvonne Holm and Raimo Hiltunen of the Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, have just published their findings.

Ulla-Maija Grace, a Finn as well, in her informative Aromatherapy for Practitioners, suggests that an aromatherapist would use ravensara oil (Ravensara aromatica Sonn.) in the treatment of asthma, influenza, inflammations in the respiratory tract and against virus infections, caused by herpes simplex and herpes zoster. 

A member of the Lauraceae, ravensara is an 18-20m high, evergreen tree growing on the island of Madagascar.  The following synonyms are known: Ravensara aromatica Gmelin, J., Evodia ravensara Gaertn., Evodia aromatica Poir., Agathophyllum aromaticum Willd., Agathophyllum ravensara Mirbel., Ravensara anisata Danguy and Laurus aromatica Baill. However, Ravensara aromatica and R. anisata are different species, which is proved by the different vernacular names used, Voaravintsara or Ravintsara for R. aromatica and Hozovo or Avozo for R. anisata [How well I remember the confusion that these names caused when we first started shipping ravensara from Madagascar].  The oils of R. aromatica and anisata also have different physical characteristics (E. Théron et al., Authentication of Ravensara aromatica and Ravensara anisata. Planta Med., 60, 489-491, 1994).

The whole tree R. aromatica is strongly aromatic.  The fruits, “Noix de Girofle”, have an anise-like odour, a bitter taste and produce a burning sensation in the mouth. The bark also has an anise-like odour and is used by the locals for the preparation of rum [vanilla pods (Vanilla planifolia Andr.) or Stephanotis flowers (Marsdenia floribunda (Brongn.) Schltr.) steeped in this local drink produce some of the most delightful “natural” perfumes that I have savoured]. The leaves contain an oil that smells of camphor and eucalyptus oil and is known to contain terpenes and oxygenated compounds. Several research groups have studied the chemical composition of R. aromatica bark and leaf oils with somewhat confusing results (E. Théron et al., ibid.; A.O. Tucker and M.J. Maciarello, Two commercial oils of Ravensara from Madagascar: R. anisata and R. aromatica. J. Essent. Oil. Res., 7, 327-329, 1995; and S. Mollenbeck et al., Chemical composition and analyses of enantiomers of essential oils from Madagascar. Flav. Fragr. J., 12, 63-69, 1997). Ravensara is used by the locals as a universal remedy for physical and mental disorders. The leaves are used for the preparation    of ointments and cough mixtures and extracts of the bark and leaves are used for indigestion.
The R. aromatica leaf oil analyzed by Holm and Hiltunen contained 1,8-cineole (53%) as the main component, followed by alpha-terpineol and sabinene, 12% and 11% respectively.  This is in full agreement with earlier findings, where 1,8-cineole is reported as the main component, ranging from 31% to 61%.  Möllenbeck et al., ibid., reported methyl eugenol (87%) as the main component of R. aromatica leaf oil, although they confusingly called the plant R. aromatica Havozo, indicating the vernacular name of R. anisata. It seems that the species R. aromatica and R. anisata are quite closely related, considering the confused nomenclature. R. anisata usually showing methyl chavicol (up to 90%) as the main component (D.de Medici et al., Chemical analysis of essential oil of Malagasy medicinal plants by gas chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. Flav. Fragr. J., 7, 275-281, 1992).   Analysis of our own current batch of R. aromatica reveals the main component as 1,8-cineole (63.238%), followed by sabinene (10.303%) and alpha-terpineol (6.609%).
ck et al., ibid., reported methyl eugenol (87%) as the main component of R. aromatica leaf oil, although they confusingly called the plant R. aromatica Havozo, indicating the vernacular name of R. anisata. It seems that the species R. aromatica and R. anisata are quite closely related, considering the confused nomenclature.  R. anisata usually showing methyl chavicol (up to 90%) as the main component (D.de Medici et al., Chemical analysis of essential oil of Malagasy medicinal plants by gas chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. Flav. Fragr. J., 7, 275-281, 1992).  Analysis of our own current batch of R. aromatica reveals the main component as 1,8-cineole (63.238%), followed by sabinene (10.303%) and alpha-terpineol (6.609%).
  
A cautionary tale.
I was rather horrified, whilst reading an abstract of Monatsschrift für Kinderheilkunde, 147 (1), 35-38, 1999, to come across an alarming case report involving an essential oil.

A newborn infant was treated in hospital because of suspected pneumonia and renal insufficiency at the third day post-partum.  Seven days later, shortly after having been nursed by her mother, the newborn vomited an eucalyptus oil-smelling liquid. This liquid and the liquid obtained from a gastrolavage performed immediately afterwards were secured in air-tight bottles.  The family of the newborn laid a charge against the hospital for bodily harm caused by negligence reproaching the hospital for having wilfully given the newborn a toxic substance. The charge against the hospital was dropped following headspace GC-MS and GC-MS analysis of the liquids, thus confirming suspicion against the mother.  The mother was deprived of the custody of her child, and the child was placed into the custody of the youth welfare office. Was it attempted infanticide or accidental poisoning with eucalyptus oil, I wonder? 

When I started my legal career, I was assigned by my father to his chief prosecuting solicitor. They were interesting days during which I must have been involved in the prosecution of at least half-a-dozen “suspected” infanticides: all involving aspirin.  I recollect that we never once secured a conviction because there was always the doubt that the mother had the necessary mens rea (criminal intent) when administering the aspirin. Juries were perhaps more benign, but I always suspected that they voted with their hearts rather than their minds.  A screaming infant can induce anguish, and diminished responsibilty, in the best of us.

Justifiable pride.
Well, I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of Carolyn. 

It used to be said that behind every great man there is a good woman or, if you believed the old beer adverts, a bottle of White Shield Worthington!

When we received her Do It Yourself Pure Plant Skin Care book from the printers I couldn’t put it down.  It will become the reference bible for DIY.

“This book is for those of you who love to use nothing but the best, the purest and the finest quality plant preparations on your body.  You will learn how to make luxurious moisturising creams, exotic soaps, relaxing bath soaks, healing ointments and more, using the purest and natural ingredients chosen both for their therapeutic properties as well as their availability”, writes the author in her foreword.

While it may not have all the glossy colour images found in some other DIY books, it makes up for the glossy images by having heaps of technical information and heaps of practical recipes with very clear easy to follow explanations. This book has been written so that it is not only easy enough to follow for the lay person, but comprehensive enough for therapists who want detailed explanation of which natural plant ingredients they should use on their client. 

It is always interesting to read a husband’s review of his wife’s book!  Who are they?

Carolyn Stubbin was born in Boonah, a country town in south-east Queensland, which should give you a clue. From a very young age, Carolyn knew that she wanted to be a herbalist and work with plant medicines. She is a qualified herbalist, aromatherapist and beauty therapist with further qualifications in natural therapies and acupuncture. You’ve guessed it: she’s Mrs. Sal Battaglia!

Having just read the book, I think that they can both be justfiably proud.

Romantic Notions?
Barely had I got over the fact that the mice - Mung’s no mouser, I’m afraid! - had devoured the walnuts atop my private reserve of exotic soaps from Melinda Coss, which I had been conserving at home as Chritmas gifts, when an e-mail winged in from the lady herself. What about Valentine’s Day?  Shortly to celebrate thirty years’ of marriage, I had not given it much thought. Not that I am totally unromantic but, these days I tend to think February 14th more the preserve of the younger generation.

Togetherness.....Heart Beat.....The Path to True Love. What!  Steady on!  You know: aphrodisiac oils, red marble soap, blue marble soap, layers of deep magenta, all surmounted with red hearts and gold leaf running over it.  Whatchathink? To be honest, I didn’t quite know. If I thought about it: a quiet, candle-lit, dinner somewhere, or a red rose perhaps?  This was definitely a question for the younger members of the team.

Justin and Tim seemed a little coy.  Rebecca and Jade, without whom nothing would happen, are far less shy and the others, Lyn, Karla, Laura, Davids I & II, Michael and Kevin, are always pretty quick to give me a view even if unasked!  Great!  Cool! Fab! Go for It!  Well, there you have it: I’ve gone for it!  Enjoy!

An uncommon orange.
I always like hearing from Martin Watt of Medical Aromatherapy Training Services.  Good, bad, or indifferent, Martin always has something stimulating to impart.  On this occasion he was freshly returned from a lecture trip to Korea.  During his travels, he had been given a sample of distilled Yuzu oil and wondered if I would care to analyse it. Although Martin totally disagrees - and he does have a point - with such untested oils being used on the skin, he thought that it could be pleasant for diffusion.

Yuzu?  Citrus junos Siebold ex Tanaka, which is rarely mentioned in the literature, is a sort of sour orange grown in Japan but probably originated from Central China. Martin mentioned that Japan seems to be the only place producing this oil and it is terribly expensive. The fruits have a very pleasant aroma and are used for seasoning and as a raw material for vinegar. Small amounts of the cold pressed oil have occasionally appeared on the market but it has never really achieved the status of a commercial oil.

However, a few researchers have investigated its chemical composition. In 1970, Shinoda et al. (N. Shinoda, M. Shiga and K. Nishimura, Consituents of Yuzu Citrus junus Oil. Agric. Biol. Chem., 34, 234-242) examined the cold pressed oil and identified limonene (79.4%), gamma-terpinene (9.5%), myrcene (2.2%), and alpha-pinene (1.4%) as major components.  More recently, in 1983, Ohta and Osajima (H. Ohta and Y. Osajima, Glass Capillary Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Oil Components Extracted from Yuzu (Citrus junos) Juice. J. Chromatog., 268, 336-340) had a look at the essential oil.  Although the main components varied little, the minor constituents did vary.  I much look forward to reviewing our own analysis.  I shall report further.

Old Oils and Old Tricks!
I have just received back analyses of some of the 50-year-old oils.  By the way, the kind lady who allowed me to analyse them recently advised me that they are at least fifty years’ old.  In which case, most have weathered particularly well. I have to do further interpretation but, initially, it does seem that oils correctly stored can survive for a considerable time with little degradation. However I was quite amused, although not entirely surprised, to discover a whopping 19.751% diethyl phthalate in the rose oil. The neroli looks suspect as well, and as for the amber it currently defies interpretation!          

Good news for Chocoholics and Caffeine addicts?
I am reminded by Chris Kilham, writing in the current edition of HerbalGram, that the Aztec who drank calabashes filled with unsweetened chocolate (Theobroma spp. L.) and dubbed it the food of the gods, and Middle Eastern coffee (Coffea spp. L.) drinkers who revered that dark, mysterious beverage centuries ago for its reviving effects were both onto something.

Chocolate houses were fashionable in Britain before coffee houses, but the way of separating the fat from the drink had not been perfected at that time. Milk chocolate was not introduced until the 19th Century, deriving from a glut of milk and thus milk-powder being used in its manufacture. For those who do not already know, the first coffee house in Britain was established in 1650 at the “Angel”, High Street, Oxford.

Still I have never been quite sure about the health benefits, or otherwise, of either of these popular products, although I do admit a penchant for both! Much of what I have read seems to indicate that a little is O.K. and too much is...well...too much!  I believe that up to three espressos can improve dexterity by 10% and can be calming and reduce depression due to the alkaloids such as caffeine and theobromine, but can also be addictive for the same reasons. Generally it is considered that a cup of coffee contains 150mg of caffeine, compared with 80mg in a cup of tea. An excess of caffeine can lead to shaking and migraines, etc. In excess of 200mg, some find it highly diuretic.

Chocolate can be similarly stimulating and addictive, especially in women so they say! Up to four ‘squares’ of chocolate can improve mind action and strengthen immune responses, but  more than this can reverse the process. Chocolate contains stimulating alkaloids such as theobromine, caffeine, theophylline (a muscle stimulant) and over 700 compounds, including phenolics as found in red wine, efficacious in slowing fat build-up in arteries, but also tyramine and phenylethylamine responsible for migraine in some by causing platelets to clump, releasing serotonin which constricts blood vessels reducing blood to the brain.

However, recent research by Professor Joseph Vinson of the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, suggests that coffee is the top source of beneficial antioxidant polyphenols in the adult American diet, and that cocoa powder surpasses both green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) as a protective antioxidant food. Apparently a 40 gram bar of milk chocolate contains approximately 300mg of polyphenols, dark chocolate [which I have always preferred!] contains double that, and cocoa powder a staggering 1,200mg!

Closer to home Professor Andrew P. Smith of Bristol University, having reviewed more than 10 years of scientific literature, has confirmed that consumption of caffeine improves alertness and mental concentration and Astrid Nehlig, at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, has found that, at around 300mg per day, caffeine improves mood, vigilance, alertness, and an overall sense of well being.  Caffeine appears to work on the dopaminergic pathway in the brain, thereby enhancing mood.

On that note, I’m off for a cup of ‘Java’ and a piece of chocolate!   


Despite taking on an additional eight people, almost doubling our normal team, the sheer onslaught of orders has almost defeated us.  However I still live in the hope that none will be disappointed. This morning’s Financial Times front-paged Beware of dotcom fever....The internet can induce “e-fever”, prompting impulse purchases and a warped perception of time, says research in Germany. I don’t know about that, but it certainly puts a strain on small business. Still, we have coped and I am proud of that.
To those suppliers who travelled day and night to maintain our stock levels; to Jan, Justin, Tim, Rebecca, Jade, Tom, Lyn, Mike, David, Karla, Laura, Kevin, David, Les, Rachel and Sylvia who worked tirelessly to make it happen; and, finally, to YOU for your patience and understanding, my sincere thanks and very best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

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