Our Web Site mysteriously went down a couple of months ago - there was some chat about sunspot activity over California, whatever that might be - and so we took the opportunity to do a little reconstruction. Somewhat fortuitously, this coincided with our new Price List.  Being totally unversed in such matters, I thought that this would be a simple and quick task: in fact it is laborious and time-consuming. The volume of data is quite staggering.

Meanwhile it was suggested that I might like to edit a few old newsletters for inclusion amongst the web pages. Once started, I soon became engrossed in the events of yesteryear. I had long-forgotten the trials and tribulations of the early days: what a chapter of events, we always seemed to be on the move! My preoccupation with Kanuka (Leptospermum ericoides J. Thompson), Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium Forster & Forster) and Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) bordered on the obsessive.  And yet here I am today, almost a decade later, still rabbiting on about the same old things!  What’s changed?

Certainly my earlier ramblings seem much more chatty and reader-friendly than my current offerings. Of course there were few bibliographical references, as my own library was then limited to only a few of the better known aromatherapy books; not that there were that many books anyway. Robert Tisserand’s The Art of Aromatherapy, Patricia Davis’s Aromatherapy, An A-Z, and The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless seemed to cover most things. The “giants” of aromatherapy might have had a copy of Guenther’s The Essential Oils, but I did not lay my hands on a set of the weighty, six volumes for another, several years.  I did, in a moment of mental aberration, invest heavily in the 13th Edition of Trease & Evans’ Pharmacognosy, only to discover that I could barely understand a word of it!

My sense of smell was distinctly indifferent and, therefore, I was unable to offer any meaningful olfactory assessment. I subsequently discovered that I was suffering quite severely with nasal polypi (not uncommon amongst the essential oil trade) but, even with them removed, I would still not rate my nose as great.

There was still much chat about adulteration, rectification, and goodness knows what, and the need for everything to be pure and natural.  Still, when we were being honest with one another, most aromatherapy oil suppliers seemed to be in the clutch of the big battalions and I doubted that the “big boys” could even spell pure and natural, let alone want to! This probably explains why I was so enthusiastic about certain oils, knowing them to be of unequivocal provenance.  Unfortunately these aromatic gems were often quite unusual, and I could find little written about them. This forced me into far deeper research than I had originally intended.

Shortly my bookshelves began to groan under the weight of Harborne & Baxter’s Phytochemical Dictionary, Bisset’s Herbal Drugs, Bruneton’s Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants, and Karleskind’s hefty Oils & Fats Manual. Meanwhile the aromatherapy community was alive with the sound of fluttering manuscripts: Piatkus, C.W. Daniel, Thorsons, Doubleday and the like must have been run off their feet! Every aspect of aromatherapy was increasingly examined: mother and baby, women and children, dogs and cats, minds and heavens, advanced, simple and subtle, clinical, medical and holistic.  Never had the student, practitioner, and professional been better catered for. Periodicals also began to proliferate: it seemed that the world was rushing into print about aromatherapy. I seriously wondered if there was still a need for my random jottings. I am still not really sure, but here I go again!
I really should shut up but....
As a totally independent scribe, with no particular affiliations as far as I know (I even almost forgot to renew our ATC membership!), I think that I can discuss freely with you one or two issues of the day, particularly if I have been quoted in the first instance!

The other day I received a letter from Michael Endacott of The British General Council of Complementary Medicine (BGCCM) which began....”The December 1999 issue of the Essentially Oils Newsletter contained an article by Bernie Hephrun that highlights the need to speak with one voice and evolve regulation....There is also a report on the possibility of ISPA (The International Society of Professional Aromatherapists) and the RQA (Register of Qualified Aromatherapists) joining with the IFA under the common title of International Federation of Aromatherapists”.  To be quite honest I had forgotten all about Bernie’s article [although it seems to have caused a bit of a furore at the time] and the alliance negotiations [which seem to have foundered]. Still, before reading further, I thought it opportune to sort out my pan-professional bodies: I reached for Stone & Hall’s Complementary Medicine and The Law.

I read that The Institute of Complementary Medicine (ICM) was established as an independent charity in 1982 with the primary task of providing information about complementary medicine to the public.  In 1989 it set up the British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP), the first attempt by any organization to produce a national listing of qualified practitioners. In its own words: Those admitted to the Register are fully qualified to carry out treatments, are insured for both professional indemnity and public liability and work to a code of conduct and practice....  The British [General] Council for Complementary Medicine which the ICM also set up in 1989 was planned to function as a self-governing professional body, taking control of the British Register.

The British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA) was established in 1990 to provide a consultative body for complementary medicine.  Stone & Hall suggest that in many ways it duplicates the activities and functions of the ICM, which is the cause of much of the tension between them.

Where does Aromatherapy stand?
The lateset edition of Aromatherapy Times (The Journal of the International Federation of Aromatherapists) points out that the Aromatherapy Organisations Council (AOC) is working currently towards statutory registration and aims to achieve it in the course of the current parliament.

However the AOC, Aromatherapy Times informs, have taken issue with the fact that the IFA has not encouraged its membership to join the new AOC register and that, in the last issue of its journal commented that there is nothing for IFA members to gain by joining the new register.  Why?  IFA members already have a practitioners register; promote accredited courses; has certificated examinations in place; offers insurance; and provides practitioner and student support in all areas. However the IFA has no desire to deter any member from subscribing to the new AOC register but has not actively promoted it.  The IFA Council do not consider it either right or proper to do so, when members have already made an indirect contribution to the AOC [£6,000-£7,000 annually is paid from IFA membership fees to the AOC, as their umbrella organisation]. Seems reasonable, but....

Michael Endacott suggests that the prospect of unity through a common register has been tried by a number of therapies but it is a concept that can only work where the different levels of skill and competence are identified for registration within the profession.  This is the approach of the BRCP (Aromatherapy Division) and, I would have thought, other professions such as accountancy.

Best Practise.
In 1993 the ICM launched a plan for three distinct levels of practise and registration but those involved with The National Occupational Standards (NOS) did not act on this proposal.  The standard of Best Practise comes at the head of a career pathway common to most professions. For a single national register like the BRCP to serve both public and practitioners alike, the variations must be created with the different services in mind and each level of service identified accordingly.

Apparently NOS for Aromatherapy have been rejected by the ICM/BGCCM, BRCP, and the IFA because they reflect the lowest levels of competence.  However, it is just these NOS that have been accepted by the AOC, the BCMA and the Independent Care Organisations (ICO) which is now part of the Training Organisations for the Personal Social Services.  Therefore, to the professional observer, it is hard to see practitioners qualified to the IFA and BRCP standards agreeing to appear on the same listing as those accepting more limited qualifications such as the AOC.

The BRCP and IFA require Best Practise.  Practitioners must have the knowledge and skill to diagnose within their competence. Other Registers may be prepared to accept the lowest common standard but the ICM does not believe this in the public or professional interest.
What do you think?

Having a go!
In my March Newsletter I touched briefly on an article by Maria Lis-Balchin which appeared in the Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, and which is reproduced in full in the current edition of Aromatherapy Times. I was flattered when Maria took the trouble to reply to my comments, but more of that on another occasion.

Meanwhile the issue of “novel” oils and their potential dangers was given another airing on the BBC Radio Four programme You and Yours, a transcript of which has just landed on my desk. From memory, the transcript makes for much more lively reading than the original live listening. Maria is in typically combative form: They look up plants from various different countries. They’re not botanists, they haven’t got a damn clue about it, and they start to use that in their massage on unsuspecting people.  Martin Watt chips in from a remote studio: There has been an increasing push to aromatherapists of novel essential oils which nobody in the world knows whether they’re safe or not.  Sylvia Baker, the indefatigable PR Chair of the AOC, defends staunchly: The majority of  practising aromatherapists don’t use these novel oils, they use the well tried and tested oils, which form part of their training, and responsible aromatherapists would not dream of using any new oil unless they had themselves sufficient evidence to prove it’s safe. Maria won’t give up: All things are poisonous if they’re given in excess...we just don’t know the problems...and yet we’re producing more and more aromatherapists...they’re allowed in on hospital wards...they are allowed to go into doctors’ surgeries...I think that we have got to look at this very, very seriously.  Finally she concedes: Okay, so far there haven’t been any accidents, let’s hope there aren’t any. I scored the debate even on points.  However, although I respect the protagonists and value their contributions to the discussion, I do wish that they would stop bickering for a moment whilst others have the opportunity to evaluate the evidence.

For example, whilst re-reading Maria’s article, I noticed a couple of references to an article by John Kerr which appeared in Aromatherapy Today, 3, 5-8. Maria seems to infer that John’s article promoted novel plant essential oils, extracts and phytols, and introduced into aromatherapy the [highly suspect] Sangre de Grade (Dragon’s blood).  Upon checking the reference, all I could find was: Dr. Vivian Lunny....was to present a research report on Essential Oils from the Amazon in the treatment of immune-related conditions.  She detailed seven native Bolivian medicinal plants which contained essential oils and some of the conditions they treated during the study. She was unable to present the results of the research as the data had not been compiled in time for the conference.  It was interesting to be reminded that not all aromatherapists use Lavender, etc. all the time. If this is promotion I am on the wrong planet and I honestly cannot understand why Maria included the reference: perhaps she will let me know!

A gander at Guaiac Wood.
This representative of the Zygophyllaceae family is a native to South America, growing in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Strictly speaking, according to Guenther’s The Essential Oils (Volume V), guaiac wood is the wood of Guaiacum officinale L. (the lignum vitae of the Bahama islands) and of G. santum L.  These species are the origin of guaiac resin or guaiac gum which was formerly used in treating rheumatism and gout but currently is mainly used as a diagnostic reagent, particularly in the detection of occult blood in the faeces (J.F. Kratochvil et al., 1971, Phytochemistry, 10, 2529) [the accuracy of this test has been questioned and some drugs may interfere with the result]. A tincture can be prepared from the resin, and was used by Sherlock Holmes to detect bloodstains at the murder scene!

However, the wood of these species contains very small quantities of essential oil and so today oil of guaiac wood is obtained by the steam distillation of the comminuted wood and sawdust of Bulnesia sarmienti Lorentz ex. Griseb.  A tree 3 to 4 metres high, it has a gnarled and crooked appearance and grows wild and abundantly in waterless scrub jungle. The oil, which is often erroneously called guaiac wood concrete, is a soft or semi-solid mass, yellowish to greenish yellow or pale amber in colour.  The oil can be melted at temperatures between 40 and 50º C. When melted, it may stay supercooled and liquid for a long time. It has a pleasant, soft and mellow rose-like odour, resembling that of tea roses, and to a slight degree that of violets. It has been used as an adulterant of rose oil.

The oil contains 42-72% guaiol, bulnesol, d-bulnesene, b-bulnesene, a-guaiene, guaioxide and b-patchoulene, amongst others. It is indicated to be nonirritating, nonsensitizing, and non phototoxic to human skin (D.L.J. Opdyke, 1974, Food Cosmet. Toxicol., 12 (Suppl.), 905). Guaiazulene, obtained from guaiac wood by dehydration of guaiol has been demonstrated to have antiinflammatory activity in animal studies.  It has been used in Germany, and is the subject of a German therapeutic monograph, as an ingredient in combination bath products, claimed for efficacy in a wide variety of skin conditions and inflammation, but without clear demonstration of pharmacological or clinical efficacy (Monograph Guajaci lignum Bundesanzeiger, no.76, April 23, 1987).

In aromatherapy it is suggested that it might be useful for oily, acne, inflamed conditions, and for the treatment of arthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and simple water retention.  
 
Glancing at Galbanum.
Whilst looking through Aromatherapy an A-Z for some aromatherapeutic pointers on guaiac wood [I found none] I stumbled across galbanum (Ferula gummosa Boiss. syn: Ferula galbaniflua Boiss. & Buhse), a member of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae.

Patricia Davis suggests that, although little used in modern aromatherapy, oil of galbanum offers interesting possibilities, especially in chronic conditions such as rheumatism. She mentions that it will provide considerable relief from persistent pain, particularly when used in hot compresses.  It is equally useful for skin infections and inflammations that are slow to heal.  Abcesses, boils and slow-healing ulcers also respond well to the oil.

Turning to The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual I was overwhelmed with suggestions for its use in aromatherapy: long-standing cancers (Bardeau, Fabrice., La medecine aromatique) [In this instance it should be used only under medical direction], coughs, bronchial spasm, muscle aches and pains, poor circulation, swollen lymph nodes [again, under medical direction only], diarrhoea and stomach infections. Calming and balancing, it is considered helpful for nervous tension, erratic moods, hysteria, paranoia, ease of emotional rigidity, removal of psychic blocks, and resolution of old emotional problems.  A report indicates galbanum oil to be nonirritating and nonsensitizing to human skin (D.L.J. Opdyke, 1978, Food Cosmet. Toxicol., 16 (Suppl. 1), 765).

Galbanum is the air-dried, gum-resin exudation which is obtained by incising the stems close to the ground. The plant grows in northern Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan. There are two types of galbanum: soft galbanum (or Levant galbanum) and hard galbanum (or Persian galbanum). The former comes in tears or drops, often agglutinated, translucent, viscous, and of bright or dull yellowish or reddish colour.  This type of galbanum gum softens on pressing between the fingers. The Persian variety is dry, and consists of agglutinated masses - opaque and whitish inside - which can be broken apart easily.  The Levant galbanum contains more volatile oil and is used for the production of galbanum oil, which is isolated by steam distillation. Depending on the age and quality of the resin, the yield of oil varies from 10 to 22%.

The oil contains 63-75% monoterpene hydrocarbons (mostly b-pinene, a-pinene, 3-carene, with small amounts of d-limonene, terpinolene, etc.); monoterpene alcohols (linalool, borneol, terpineol, etc.) and their acetates; sesquiterpenes (cadinene, guaiol, bulnesol, etc.); azulenes; thiol esters; polysulphanes; pyrazines; and (E,Z)-1,3,5-undecatriene and (E,E)- 1,3,5-undecatriene.  The (E,Z)-isomer is reported to be the major odour principle of the oil (F. Naef et al., 1975, Helv. Chim. Acta, 58, 1016), which has been described “like green peppers or tossed green salad”!

Neem in the News.
Natural Products News reports that The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is fighting a legal challenge to a patent granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the multinational corporation W.R. Grace for a fungicide derived from Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.).

The challengers argue that the patent - one of many on products of the tree - exemplifies how the patent system is being used to transfer biological wealth from the South [the Indian subcontinent] into the hands of a few corporations and scientists. There are now 40 neem patent applications at various stages in the EPO and 90 have been granted worldwide.  The majority of neem “proprietors” are transnational corporations.

According to IFOAM, the fungicide cannot be produced without naturally occurring neem seeds. One direct impact of the corporate monopoly on the neem made possible by the patent system is a staggering increase in the companies’ demand for seed.  A processing plant set up by W.R. Grace in India can handle 20 tonnes of seed per day.  Almost all the seed collected - which was previously freely available to the farmer and healer - is now purchased by the company, causing the price of neem seed to rise beyond the reach of the ordinary people.

Cures for Cold Sores.
I had missed the original article in the March issue of What Doctors Don’t Tell You (WDDTY), but a letter in the current issue focused my attention. From Marian Nicholson, Director of The Herpes Viruses Association, it pointed out that the excellent book, Herpes - What to Do and How to Cope, by Dr. Adrian Mindel and Orla Carney, clearly states that cold sores are not spread around the body by touching. While they may reappear in nearby sites, this is due to the virus choosing a different nerve to travel down.  I must admit that I had always thought that they could be spread around by touching.  Still, it prompted me to consult the article.

In response to a request for natural alternatives to Acyclovir, an antiviral drug introduced in 1979 [usually given to those with severe outbreaks, although a recent review showed that it is ineffective in recurrent infections (BMJ, 1996; 312: 6)], several treatments are suggested.

One natural treatment for cold sores as well as genital herpes is lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). Although used for centuries as a sedative, its importance increased in 1964 when water extracts of melissa were discovered to have antiviral qualities as well [December, 1996, Newsletter].  In one study patients were instructed to apply melissa-containing cream to the lesions five times daily until healing of the lesion was complete.  After four days, 60% of patients had complete healing, which rose to 87% after six days and 96% after eight days.

Besides melissa, a special witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) UF-concentrate has been shown in laboratory studies to have an antiviral effect on HSV-1 (Planta Med., 1996; 62: 241-5).  The antiviral and antiphlogistic activity is very likely due to the presence of proanthocyanidins [condensed tannins]. Even though acyclovir is undoubtedly more active than the UF-concentrate, there have recently been observations on development of resistant HSV-1 strains upon acyclovir treatment. It is thus advisable to look for alternative classes of compounds for the management of Herpes simplex infections.  Because of the beneficial coeffects of tannins in inflammation and wound-healing, Hamamelis extract could well represent such an alternative especially for topical application. The extract can be applied neat on the sore.

There is also evidence that lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) or tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel) also applied neat to the lesion, may help clear up the infection (Aust. J. Pharmacol., 1988; 69: 276-8).

It is suggested that, if you have none of the above to hand and you experience an outbreak, you can apply a wet tea bag, preferably Earl Grey [? because of the bergamot], to the lesion several times a day, the lesions crust over and disappear, and do not recur for several months (Spectrum, 1996; 52: 19).  Marian Nicholson mentions that they work because they deplete the moisture level in the skin cells, preventing replication. Mind you tea, especially green tea, is also rich in proanthocyanidins.

Would you believe?
Padma 28, mentioned in last month’s Newsletter, may assist in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. In one study the use of the Tibetan formula resulted in increased muscle strength and an overall improvement in health in 44% of those who took part (Phytother. Res., 1992; 6: 133-6).

Viagra, the anti-impotence drug, could also expand the shelf-lives of fruits, vegetables and flowers. SunBlush Technologies is developing nitric oxide technologies after research showed that the lifespan of cut flowers increased when the water was activated by Viagra. Viagra generates nitric oxide in humans, initiating a chemical reaction that dilates the blood vessels to cause the male erection.  Plants, which have the same enzyme system as humans, also appear to receive a boost when nitric oxide is released.  It stimulates growth when they are young and suppresses the influence of ethylene, a naturally occuring substance that accelerates their degradation.
 
Chilean Rose, an extremely large variety of tarantula spider, could be an unlikely friend of man. Scientists at the State University of New York have discovered that its venom could help treat heart attacks and fend off brain tumours. A small protein from the venom could block the action of ion channels that are responsible for a cell’s ability to “feel”, making it possible to prevent fibrilation - a leading cause of death following heart attacks. The venom could stop tumours invading the brain tissue by preventing the channels from releasing a “growth factor” making tumours expand. It may also play a role in the successful transition of babies from placental oxygen supply to using their own lungs.

I have run out of things to write about this month!

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