0845 130 4400
From Land’s End to John O’ Groats, your phone bills will be reduced by using our new local rate number. Make a note of it now. 0845 130 4400. The 0845 number is routed on top of our existing number and works in tandem with it.  Take advantage, use it now!

Attack on America.
I can add little save to say that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this tragic time. 

Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point [C.S.Lewis 1898-1963: in Cyril Connolly The Unquiet Grave (1944)].

Meanwhile Jacquie Clarke is to be highly commended for her initiative to offer aromatherapy for stranded American/British travellers at Gatwick Airport.  Although on this occasion her offer was not taken up, as it would probably have delayed further the already lengthy queues, the Senior Human Resources Officer at Gatwick phoned Jacquie to thank her very much and said that in any future crisis the offer of aromatherapy would be very welcome and favourably received.

Perhaps, as Jacquie suggests, the IFA/IFPA might consider a contingency plan so that aromatherapists can respond as a team in moments of national crisis. Certainly America’s First Lady was very quick to respond, bringing in therapists at the first opportunity for her traumatised staff at the White House.

Untested Oils & Fiction Therapeutics.
I read with interest (as always) the points you make about untested oils and chemotypes.  There is no doubt that if therapists use untested oils they will be at risk if anything goes wrong and, with the present climate of “if there’s a blame, there’s a claim” always on TV, it is only fair comment to warn therapists of this....The so-called therapeutic uses are often unreferenced and often [only] case studies....This is why the medical profession thinks so poorly of aromatherapy practice....It is a great pity that many schools and courses only offer what can only be described as “fiction therapeutics”. This does a great disservice to aromatherapy and moreover puts therapists at great risk when they start their work. Now is the time to get essential oil therapeutics into aromatherapy and build real progress....It is time therapists stood up and had a freedom of expression on therapeutics, e-mailed one of the nation’s leading commentators on aromatherapy matters [but not a therapist, methinks]. Well, several required no second bidding!

Arrogance or Ignorance?
The arrogance of those who seek to “enlighten” others never ceases to amaze me, riposted one of my feistier correspondents.  Don’t they realise that aromatherapists actually do study their subject and pass exams before they begin practice? Don’t they know that a good part of training involves studying the chemical composition of essential oils, and their effect on human physiology?  Do they not understand that therapists acquire a vast amount of books, papers and other information regarding the “tools of their trade” both during training and for post grad study, and simply for personal interest in continuous learning? We are not careless in our use of oils just because we don’t use “safety data sheets”, it is simply that we are careful enough to study our subject thoroughly, to the extent - surprise surprise - WE DO KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING! 

Scylla & Charybdis.
What is this ‘novel oil’bandwagon? e-mailed another. Please don’t delete our ‘novel’ oils!  Many of us use them, and find them wonderfully effective, we use them because of traditional herbal use - admittedly they may not have been used in application via essential oils applied to the skin, precisely as aromatherapists use them - but also consider the quantities in which we are applying them. For example, I might use 4 or 5 drops of Ravensara in 25ml carrier, blended with other oils to bring that up to 2 1/2%.

Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs [Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. ISBN 0-443-05260-3] did a breakdown of how much of an essential oil would actually be absorbed transdermally during a massage, and the amount is surprisingly small.

Not being a therapist, I asked Victoria Plum, a respected tutor, to explain.

If, for example, one worked with a client and decided to do an all over body massage using a single oil (unlikely) at 5% strength in a 25ml base (again highly unlikely, as most practitioners would use this strength for local application only) and, assuming approximately 20 drops to a millilitre, one would have approximately 1.25 millilitres of the single essential oil in the carrier (25 drops for 5% blend).

According to Tisserand and Balacs, between 4% and 25% of the essential oil is absorbed through the skin [the rest either volatizing or being absorbed by the towel when the client is re-covered].

Therefore the maximum amount of essential oil that would be absorbed, assuming a worst case scenario of 25%, would be approximately 0.3125 millilitres - 6 drops maximum. In most cases the amount actually absorbed is likely to be in the ½ drop to 2 drops (0.025-0.1ml) range [Jirovetz, L. et al. 1992. Analysis of fragrance compounds in blood samples of mice by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, GC/FTIR and GC/AES after inhalation of sandalwood oil. Biochemical Chromatography 6(3): 133-134].
  
Of course, as Victoria suspects, many aromatherapists probably do not use all 25ml that they make up, expecting to be able to give the client about 7-10ml to take away with them.

Thus, as Victoria comments, it seems that we are currently being squeezed between the Scylla of those who say, “at such small amounts of absorption, any efficacy is impossible and all results are placebo, and nothing to do with the pharmacology of the oils at all” and the Charybdis of those who would have us believe that essential oils are potentially highly suspect, even dangerous.
 
Physician, heal thyself?
Liz Tams, a Fellow of the Institute of Complementary and Holistic Therapists, suggests that aromatherapists are well aware that so-called ‘novel’ oils may (possibly) contain hazardous constituents, but are actually knowledgeable enough and sufficiently well qualified to evaluate chemical constituents and the ‘risk’ factor before using them. Further, she believes that aromatherapists practise far more judiciously than the orthodox medical profession which, as I have mentioned in previous Newsletters, does have a questionable record of prescribing, e.g., thalidomide and others. 

Does not paracetamol account for several hundred deaths per annum, whether through deliberate overdose or accidental ingestion via cold remedies and the like?  Acute overdosage with paracetamol, whether accidental or deliberate, is relatively common [Martindale. 32nd Edition, p. 72]. The consequences can be extremely serious because of the narrow margin between therapeutic and toxic doses.  Ingestion of as little as 10 to 15g of paracetamol by adults may cause severe hepatocellular necrosis and, less often, renal tubular necrosis.

Furthermore, although the side-effects of paracetamol are rare and usually mild, haematological reactions including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, pancytopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis have been reported. Reactions, characterised by urticaria, dyspnoea, and hypotension, have occurred following administration of paracetamol to adults and children [Ellis, M. et al. Immediate adverse reactions to acetaminophen in children: evaluation of histamine release and spirometry. J. Pediatr. 1989; 114: 654-6]. Also, angioedema has been reported [Idoko, JA. et al. Angioneurotic oedema following ingestion of paracetamol. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1986; 80: 175].

Don’t get me wrong, I am not having a go at paracetamol: I even use it occasionally myself.  However I do have considerable sympathy with Liz’s argument that Bernie Hephrun and others [vide Newsletter 114] could spend a little time looking at the actual figures for those seriously injured - or killed - by the use of any essential oil during a normal aromatherapy treatment, rather than hypothesising on what may or may not happen if an incorrect dilution of an oil high in a particular chemical is used on a hypersensitive person. Alternatively, they may care to campaign for the abolition of paracetamol!

Evidence, or not?
Thomas Szasz wrote [The Second Sin (1973) ‘Science and Scientism’]....Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic.

Of course safety has to be a prime consideration, but it is interesting to note that the scaremongers no longer have a clear field to themselves: there is much debate, a challenge to their thinking, and a burgeoning contradictory argument from other specialists. Their evidence is no longer cut and dried and irrefutable. Nevertheless much supposition persists, and we must be careful not to respond as if their evidence was incontrovertible.

The ultimate test?!
Finally it has been suggested that....Far from discontinuing to stock ‘novel’ oils I “distil” one of my own - say from hair dye or one of the micro-ban washing up liquids - submit it to IFRA or RIFM and quietly watch as they jump up and down in hysteria about the dangers of my ‘new’ oil....who says that aromatherapists don’t have a perspicacious sense of humour?!

No Hiding Place!
Since Tim sadly left us I have been increasingly employed answering the phone, rather than lurking behind the anonymity of the Newsletter. It has been an edifying experience.

Aaah!....Charles!....I’m pleased I got you!....You probably don’t know me!....I’ve been a customer for years!....Now, what you wrote recently about methylphenidate hydrochloride!

What?  Thirty minutes later, totally humbled, I slump in my chair. I have discovered that not only is Mrs. ‘X’ an aromatherapist but she is also a senior research scientist with Novartis, the manufacturers of Ritalin.

Believe it or not, over the past nine months, I have answered many similar calls from doctors, dentists, nurses, chemists, physicists, policemen, lawyers, aestheticians, metallurgists, beauticians, actors, writers, gardeners, gamekeepers, and many more: all gently putting me straight on one point or another.  They, also, are all qualified aromatherapists. Frankly, whoever thinks that therapists do not know what they are doing must either be sadly misguided or not speaking to them enough.

Of course I generalise to a degree, but the level of knowledge within aromatherapy today is impressive, and should not be lightly dismissed.  What’s more, the level of commitment to the aromatherapy cause is awesome.  Not only do many aromatherapists manage to combine full-time jobs with aromatherapy practice, running a family, walking the dog, and a myriad of other things, but they also quest constantly for more knowledge. Ladies and gentlemen, my hat is off to you!

Meanwhile, the up-and-coming generation of therapists has a more subtle way of keeping me in my place, by signing off their conversations with Thanks Poppa! Things have changed.      

Credit, where credit’s due.
When Bob Harris took over as Editor of The International Journal of Aromatherapy (IJA) I admit that I was a little sceptical, believing Robert Tisserand to be a hard act to follow.  Well, I was wrong. Bob and his team have turned the previously ailing IJA into a thundering good read, informative and instructive, and I have renewed my subscription. Well done Bob!

A quick look at the IJA.
Having renewed my subscription to the IJA, I promptly requested those back issues which I had missed. 

How I wish that I had seen [IJA, 2001. Vol.11(1): 20-25] Ulla-Maija Grace’s splendid article, Treating Fibromyalgia with Essential Oils, before bursting into print on the subject myself in the Newsletter: it would have made my ramblings about Fibromix far more meaningful.  Still, for those who have been using Ulla-Maija’s unique blend, and with considerable success many report, may I suggest that you take a peek at her article.

Usually I tend to flick through a magazine from back to front, probably as a result of years of perusing the small ads at the back of motoring magazines, but on this occasion I chose first to read most carefully Bob’s Editorial Comment. 

I was delighted to note that he intends to continue the minor modifications in both style and content - thus far a vast improvement - but was less elated about his decision to retain the same photograph on the front cover for the four issues of each year.  Personally I find this somewhat confusing, particularly as the Issue Number on the front cover is in small print, having ‘binned’ Issue 2 in the mistaken belief that I already had a copy.  Maybe this is Bob’s novel way to increase circulation! 

Nevertheless a most welcome innovation is the inclusion of summaries of each article at the head of the main text, and contact details of the authors. This is very much the norm in most scientific journals.  I like it. 

It’s all in the name.
Bob had mentioned in his ‘Comment’ that there was an interesting article in the Journal by Olivier Behra, a conservationist living in Madagascar, about what actually constitutes true ravensara oil. Great!  Right up my street! I have been trying to get to the bottom of this question for years.

However what interested me even more was the author’s surname. As a motor racing obsessed teenager, I admired greatly the exploits of a charismatic French Grand Prix driver, Jean Behra.  Having already discovered amongst our customer list (another advantage of answering the telephone) relatives of other motoring greats, Willans, Pilbeam and Kidston, [which reminds me, I still owe Mrs. Kidston an article about Commander Glen Kidston, the  valiant ‘Bentley Boy’and joint winner of the 1930 Le Mans endurance race. Sorry!], I could not resist contacting Olivier.  My intuition proved correct: he is the great nephew of the famous ancien pilote.

A ‘novel’ oil re-examined.
We have been importing so-called “Ravensara” directly from Madagascar for several years, but there has always been much debate in scientific circles about what is the botanical source of true ravensara oil, because there has been a number of conflicting studies.

Olivier, in an illuminating article, concludes that what many have been supplying, including me, is the 1,8-cineole rich oil from Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl.) and not the chemically very different oil produced from the leaves of Aromatic Ravensare (Ravensara aromatica Sonnerat).  To avoid further confusion, he suggests that in future we refer to oil from Ravensara aromatica as “aromatic ravensare” and to Cinnamomum camphora leaf essential oil originating from Madagascar as “ravintsara”.

It is worth noting however that, although the oil does contain some 1,8-cineole (1.8-3.3%), the predominant chemicals in “aromatic ravensare” are sabinene (10.2-16.4%) [also present in quite large amounts in “ravintsara”], limonene (13.9-22.5%), methyl chavicol (2.4-11.9%), and iso-ledene (0.9-14.2%). Olivier suggests that it is strongly antiviral [I should like to see the evidence for this].

Why then, despite my requests for Ravensara aromatica, do I always receive [what I now believe to be] Cinnamomum camphora?  Is this a deliberate mistake on the part of exporters, or do they not know the difference between “aromatic ravensare” and “ravintsara”?  Which oil is the more available?  I asked Olivier: suggesting also that he first educate exporters to use his terminology - aromatic ravensare for Ravensara aromatica and ravintsara for oil from Cinnamomum camphora - so that I and other importers can be sure that we will receive what we order.

Is it sustainable?
Olivier believes that, when the trade in “ravensara” oil started, buyers did not differentiate between Ravintsara and Ravensara.  The exporters knew the difference but, Olivier suspects, they were afraid that buyers would not recognise ‘true’ Ravensara oil and therefore did not bother to explain. Olivier is now pushing hard for all to accept his new terminology.

That said, Ravensara aromatica grows in the eastern primary forest which has been, and easily could be, overexploited.  Olivier and his colleagues have set up a production system, involving fair prices paid to local people for leaf collection and instruction on harvesting, to ensure survival of the tree population. They are also insisting that the term “aromatic ravensare” be used only for oil from sustainable sources [easier said than done, I would fear].

Ravintsara, on the other hand, is far more available, and is even planted locally as an ornamental.  However the increasing demand for the oil is making it more difficult to find raw material.  Olivier plans some plantations, which he hopes will be harvestable within three years [perhaps: Madagascar is not the easiest place in which to operate].

I much look forward to further articles by Olivier in the IJA, which will focus on the ethical production of essential oils from this biodiversity hotspot of the world.  Meanwhile I have asked him to have a look at the sustainability of Cinnamosma fragrans Baillon, or taggar, a scented wood which used to be exported [may still be] via Zanzibar to Bombay for religious ceremonies.  I have recently been offered its leaf essential oil.

A closer look at hydrosols.
When Suzanne Catty’s book, Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy, first hit the street I was as enthusiastic as any.  However, even then, I was most disappointed that no attempt had been made to compare the chemical composition of the hydrosol with that of the essential oil. After all, if I am to be encouraged to....Take one-half to one tablespoon of undiluted hydrosol three to six times a day....as a tonic or “remedy” [p.177], I like to know what’s in it.

I contacted Suzanne, requesting samples for analysis, but have received no reply to date.  Therefore I thought that I had better get on with some research of my own.  However, before proceeding further, I considered it prudent to check out with Martin Watt the law in relation to hydrosols. Appreciating that this was a rather fast ball, I could only expect his initial thoughts.     

Some thoughts on the law in relation to hydrosols.

What if I was to sell hydrosols as....
Cosmetics? If they are marketed as cosmetic agents, or could be interpreted as such by Trading Standards or Health and Safety, the Cosmetic Regulations will apply. As such they must have appropriate safety evaluation and certification by an “expert”, which would not be given if proof of microbiological stability was not available.  To prevent contamination and to extend shelf-life, hydrosols that are sold in countries of the European Union for cosmetic purposes must now by law contain alcohol, a minimum of 12% by volume. [Suzanne’s purist definition of hydrosols excludes the use of additives or preservatives, but she concedes that it is ultimately a matter of personal choice].       

Food or Drink? If they could be construed to be drinks, they would fall under Food and Drink Regulations. If they are classified under Food regulations, they would need to be prepared on appropriately licences premises. Microbiological stability of the product would be paramount.  [This needs care, as Suzanne’s book offers 40 delicious recipes in which hydrosols can be used].

Traditional remedies?  There is no such category at the moment.  Therefore you could be classed as supplying a herbal product, much like a herbal tincture supplier, and would have to rely mainly upon Common Law to support you as a “supplier selling a product for the purposes intended”.  This could be a minefield.

Finally, if you, as a company, are aware of any potential problems, and that is recorded, you are liable if any harm results and you have not revealed the potential problems.

Thanks Martin! Anything else?

Yes: you must be mighty careful how you promote hydrosols. I would never suggest that they can be used internally.

Something to think about.
Suzanne mentions that every litre of hydrosol contains between 0.05 and 0.2 millilitres of essential oil, depending on the water solubility of the plant’s components and the distillation parameters. However, the essential oils in solution in a hydrosol will, when analysed, show a chemical profile different from that of the pure oil from the same run [p.12].  OK, but how different?

Unfortunately, except for UK grown chamomiles and angelica root, I have not yet been able to compare chemical profiles of hydrosol and essential oil from the same run. Still, I cannot resist mentioning my findings from a recent analysis of Juniper Berry hydrosol.

Checking first pH, which accords much with Suzanne’s pHacts, at 3.75, I then reviewed several recent analyses of Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis L.) essential oil.  All indicate a-pinene (>60%) as a major component with other monoterpene hydrocarbons, which gives the oil its slightly turpentine odour and relatively low solubility. The main oxygen-containing component is terpinen-4-ol which, according to my analyses, occurs in comparatively low amounts (>2.0%) 

Varro Tyler [Honest Herbal, p.227] mentions that the diuretic action of juniper results from its essential oil and, specifically, the constituent terpinen-4-ol (1.37% of the oil by weight), which increases the glomerular filtration rate in the kidneys [J. Janku, M. Hava, and O. Motl. Experientia 13: 255-256, 1957]. Excessive doses of terpinen-4-ol, however, may cause kidney irritation, and in the case of persons already suffering from kidney disease, this can result from even normal therapeutic doses.

Juniper and its preparations must not be used by expectant mothers since they not only increase intestinal movements but also stimulate contraction of the uterus [P.H. List and L. Horhammer (Eds.) Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4th Edition, Volume 5, 333-337, 1976].

Therefore, bearing all this in mind, I was somewhat surprised to discover that the hydrosol contains 66.37% terpinen-4-ol in the essential oil portion. In terms of parts per million this is probably pretty mini, but I shall not be ingesting any hydrosols all the same. We need to know much more.

Meanwhile.....
I’m off to read Guenther to find out why acetone and dimethyl sulphide keep turning up in several hydrosols, and comparatively large quantities of cis- and trans-thujone in witch hazel.

Undoubtedly someone (an aromatherapist with a doctorate in organic chemistry?) will phone shortly to put me gently straight!
 

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