At last, I’m back in my office.  It is quite amazing what a lick of paint, a bit of carpet, and a few bookshelves can do: it is pure luxury! Fortunately, all was completed just in time for our Open Day at the end of September.

The sun shone; the first arrived before I was barely awake; the newly acquired tea urn worked overtime; most seemed to find a spot to park; Michi discovered that aromatherapists are far more responsive to TCM than members of the local Women’s Institute; Bill convinced most that many essential oils are good for more than two years; Jacqui did wonders for sales of the more unusual and exotic; and Jennie performed the balancing trick of the year. A good day!

Nevertheless, although I had no chance to try it myself, I did not think the lunch up to its usual standard and, despite my repeated requests, there was little choice for vegetarians and vegans.  My sincere apologies. Unfortunately, having spent several years getting them into the way of things, Peter and Assumpta have moved from the Mill House to our local pub in Churchill.  All of which makes me think that it would be very convenient if I can convince them to cater next year’s Open Day just around the corner: no more double shuttle at lunch

hour.  Bliss!  Furthermore, I think that I might have cracked finally the parking problem. See you all next year!

Meanwhile, we had been anticipating keenly the trek to Glasgow for the IFPA’s 3rd Annual Conference & Trade Show, particularly as Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt was appearing on the bill. However, no sooner had the sun set on the Open Day than harsher weather set in around Chipping Norton. In its wake came coughs, colds and sneezes and, before I knew it, we were five days behind with getting orders out. What’s more, when the programme for the Oxford Brookes School of Health and Social Care CPD Study Day appeared I spotted that we were listed as supporters of the event, and we wouldn’t even be there.  Time for a rethink!

Jan and I had planned to travel up to Scotland on the Friday and return on the Monday but, being behind, we could not afford to be away for a couple of working days.  Also we did not want to let down Oxford Brookes and so, having failed to find anyone to deputize, it seemed good sense to go ourselves.  To cap it all, Mick’s breeder phoned to say that he was ready for collection: how could we resist a tiny bundle of Glen of Imaal terrier?!

Responses, and this and that!
Although my last month’s Newsletter was perhaps a tad too flamboyant for some, or so they told me, I was delighted to receive the numerous memories of ballroom dancing and culinary critique. All I can say is that I am what I am and I make of life what I can. However, now that I am back in the groove, I shall concentrate less upon the sybaritic!  A pain in the proverbial prompted several interesting suggestions.....

I have a client who suffered with this complaint.  We tried the usual oils for itching and haemorrhoids without a great deal of success.  He then tried a change of diet to vegetarian, wholegrain and at least 4 pints of water daily.  The itching has completely disappeared, so it’s worth a try, e-mailed Audrey Larkins.

When I was a kid in rural France, itching in the proverbial was an indication that you had threadworm. It appears that, although they live in the stomach or the intestine, at a certain time of the lunar cycle (full moon I believe), they travel towards the anal passage to lay their eggs (maybe an old wife’s tale?) hence the itching. It might be worth taking a dose or two of senna pods don’t you think?  Alternatively a good old soak with a big handful of sea salt might help, suggested Madeleine Decouis.  It’s not an old wife’s tale, but I’m not too sure about the lunar cycle aspect.

Threadworm, or pinworm, is one of the few intestinal nematodes which is common in temperate climates and is particularly common in young children. Like trichuriasis - an infection with Trichuris trichiura , sometimes known as whipworm - enterobiasis is an infection of the large intestine with threadworm (Enterobius vermicularis) and transmission follows ingestion or inhalation of mature eggs. The larvae mature in the gut in about 2 months. The eggs are not released into the gut contents but the mature female migrates to the anus at night and lays its eggs on the perianal and perineal skin.  The eggs become infective within 6 hours.  The most common symptom is perianal itching but many infections are asymptomatic.  Diagnosis is based on detecting eggs around the anus.  The adult worm has a lifespan of about 6 weeks and, if reinfection can be prevented, the infection is self-limiting. While additional hygiene measures can prevent reinfection, treatment of the whole family with an anthelmintic should remain the main therapeutic response. 

Wheatgerm can be very helpful, mentioned Jean Girling. 

The perineum/anus is a sensitive area, and the skin (which may be damaged due to repetitive scratching) could be reacting to soap.  The use of non-soap-based, non-perfumed shower gels and/or foam baths, with copious rinsing with fresh water to remove all residue, followed by an application of lavender oil, neat, direct to the area (so long, as you say, that it’s a small area) could address this itchy problem, opined Alex Cameron-Watts.

The ladies who sent questions about BPPV and itching may very well be helped by the old recipe of Swedish Bitters. It will help ulcers too, commented Su Hagan.  If they have any questions about it they can contact me [01252 371 587/su.hagan@ntlworld.com].

Swedish Bitters? Swedish physician Dr. Samst’s universal cure-all: 10g Aloe, 5g Myrrh, 0.2g Saffron, 10g Senna leaves, 10g Camphor, 10g Rhubarb root, 10g Zedvoary root, 10g Manna, 10g Theriac venezian, 5g Carline Thistle root and 10g Angelica root added to 1 ½ litres of rye or fruit spirit.

Apart from knowing that Dr. Samst lived to the remarkable age of 104, I have no further evidence for the efficacy of his potion. Su will undoubtedly know far more.

Peter O’Rourke, on the other hand, is extant and dealing daily with various ailments.  He e-mailed: I have successfully treated stomach ulcers in adults and teenagers using a homoeopathic tincture of Ornithogalum (Star of Bethlehem) in doses of one half teaspoon with a wineglass of water 3 times per day.  As this is a homoeopathic remedy it should be safe and effective for animals also.  You could adjust the dosage according to your dog’s weight, assuming a weight in the region of that for a child [I’m not so sure about that because Mungu tips the scales at 60 kilos!]. 

The Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum L.) is a bulbous plant nearly allied to the Onion and Garlic.  The bulbs, in common with those of many Liliaceous plants, are edible and nutritious. They were in ancient times eaten, both raw and cooked. Linnaeus and others considered that they were probably the ‘Dove’s Dung’ mentioned in the Second Book of Kings, vi, 25, as being sold at a high price during the siege of Samaria by the King of Syria, when ‘the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung was sold for five pieces of silver’.  The Greek name, Ornithogalum, signifies ‘birds’ milk flower.

Upon checking John Henry Clarke’s Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, a classic in homoeopathy, I discover that Peter is absolutely right: Ornothogalum is indicated for gastric ulcer and ulceration of the stomach.   

Another simple remedy is to make a decoction of Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) and Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce Batt. & Trab.) which is drunk as a tea 3 times per day. You could add a little to the drinking water throughout the day rather than offering cups of tea to your pet, suggests Peter.  Makes good sense to me, although Birdie still prefers his ‘tonic’ in a wine glass!

Liquorice is stated to possess expectorant, demulcent, antispasmodic, antiinflammatory, and laxative properties. Traditionally, it is also reported to affect the adrenal glands. It has been used for, amongst other ailments, the treatment of peptic ulcer.  The primary use of fennel seeds is to relieve bloating, but they also settle stomach pain, stimulate the appetite and are diuretic and antiinflammatory.

Peter continues....A massage blend containing essential oils of fennel, cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and/or aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L.) at 1% dilution in grapeseed or coconut fractionated oil - both light and very easily absorbed - could be used on your dog’s abdomen, and this may prove helpful. In this dilution it would not be harmful if your pet licked (and thereby ingested) small amounts of this brew.

I find that Bach Flowers can be very helpful for this kind of problem [ulcers] in animals, mentioned Audrey Larkins.

This is an interesting observation, because clinical trials of Bach Flower Remedies begun at the University of California’s veterinary school in the early 1990s were dropped because the results were so discouraging.  To my knowledge, no other clinical trials have been carried out.  When Flower Remedies are analysed, only spring water and alcohol are detected.  Still,  proponents attribute the beneficial effects of Flower Remedies to “molecular imprinting”, one of the theories that is also applied to homoeopathy.

In the 1930s English bacteriologist and homoeopath, Edward Bach, concluded that harmful emotions lead to physical disease. “Treat the mood of the patient”, said Dr. Bach, “and the disease will disappear”.  Flower essences are prepared from petals, leaves, and stalks of plants and are used to treat canine emotional states, thought by the developers to be the main cause of disease states. Although similar to homoeopathics in that they are physically dilute, flower essences are closer in form to herbal decoctions in that they are produced in relatively concentrated 1:10 or 1:100 dilutions.

The relationship between emotion and disease is studied in psychoneuroimmunology (PNI).  Some vets believe that Rescue Remedy reduces panic in some dogs.  Others assume that giving a remedy causes the PNI effect: dog owners become less tense, which has a positive effect on their pets. However, it is easier to interpret your own emotional state than your dog’s. A sudden change in your dog’s behaviour may have a physical cause.

Have you had a look in The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat?, phoned Marcia Forman.  I hadn’t, because I hadn’t got a copy of this excellent book. Written by Juliette de Bairacli Levy, breeder of the renowned Turkuman Afghans, it was last reprinted in 1992. However within 48 hours Justin had a copy on my desk, withdrawn amazingly from Fife Council West Area Libraries!

The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat combines all Miss Bairacli Levy’s previous canine herbal works, together with much new material. She had first published    three paperback canine herbals in the mid 1930s; and it was the first of these books, The Cure of Canine Distemper, which established the then absolutely unknown herbal work in the canine world and attracted to herbal medicine many of England’s greatest breeders who, to this day, are following and advocating herbal treatments as keenly as ever.  Reviewing the 1992 edition, Shooting Times [which always used to be my first source of reference when seeking a new canine companion] wrote: There are countless kennels and dog owners throughout the world who have proved Miss Bairacli Levy to be right in her methods, treatment and theory.  A fascinating book but, on a quick review, I could find nothing about ulcers!

A responsible attitude.
In light of the continuing debate about the use of Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) and Rosewood (Aniba roaeodora var. amazonica Ducke), I was most interested to read the Important Note for Readers in Great Britain at the beginning of Miss Bairacli Levy’s book, which is as apposite today as it was in 1992.

Since this book was first written in 1955, the natural habitat of many wild plants has disappeared and some herbs have become rare in the wild because of building developments, intensive farming, and other pressures on land use.

In an effort to prevent these rare plants from extinction, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and its Variation of Schedule Order 1988 make it an offence for any unauthorized person to pick, uproot, destroy or offer for sale almost a hundred wild plants in Great Britain.

It is also an offence for an unauthorized person to uproot any wild plant, whether or not it is on the protected list.

Readers in countries other than Great Britain should check local regulations before gathering flowers in the wild.

The author strongly advises readers to grow their own herbs or obtain dried herbs from health food shops.

Although I remain unconvinced that purchasing from a health food shop is any guarantee that plants have not been gathered illegally, I commend the sentiment. Also I should like to see a similar note to readers, amended appropriately to take account of current legislation both here and abroad, at the start of every future book on aromatherapy, herbal medicine, etc.  I have to remonstrate too often with people digging up plants from our local verges, and the knowledge of those who should know better still remains distinctly hazy. Meanwhile I continue to hunt for a sustainable source of sandalwood, if there be such a thing!

Seeking alternatives in The Land of the Unexpected.
Hi Charles, you mentioned at the bottom of your article on massoia that you would like to help Papua New Guinea (PNG).  We intend to produce different types of Cinnamomum oil as well as a variety of essential oils from other raw materials. Did you manage to confirm that the sample of massoia oil was from Cryptocarya or from a species of Cinnamomum?

Good heavens!  I last wrote about massoia (Cryptocarya massoy (Oken) Kosterm.) more than five years ago! Still, what was it all about?

Seventy years ago, there was much confusion about the true botanical source of massoia oil. At that time, New Guinea was producing both massoia oil and lawang oil: massoia oil having a warm, coconut-peach-like aroma and lawang oil possessing a clove-nutmeg aroma. Very often the literature refers to a massoia oil where, according to physicochemical properties and constituents, the reference should be to lawang oil.

When I was writing in 1999 I had just received a sample of oil from Papua New Guinea that was reportedly distilled from massoy bark (Cryptocarya spp.), but I had doubted that it was in fact massoy bark oil because the sender had commented that his oil, when steam distilled, was denser than water.

Th. M. Meijer, the scientist who had finally sorted the differences between massoia and lawang oils, had established that it is lawang oil (Cinnamomum spp.) which is denser than water.  Nevertheless the sample had smelt distinctly coconut-peach-like.  I had mentioned that I would investigate further. 

Fortunately, three years prior to Meijer’s investigations, a Japanese scientist had examined an oil of massoia and had reported that it contained a lactone as the major component, which he named massoy lactone.  I searched for my GC-MS analysis.....46.5% massoy lactone!

Many thanks for your advice, replied my correspondent in PNG. About 5 years ago I did quite a bit of research on the various aromatic barks, wood, resin, gum and plants used in traditional healing/medicine in New Guinea. The conclusion that I came to at the time was that it was uneconomical to export raw materials from PNG. 

Quite right: I recollect that, when I was based in the region some twenty years ago, tons of Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees) were burnt deliberately due to the low prices being offered, high transport costs, and lack of markets. The wild cinnamon bark in PNG is unacceptable for culinary purposes, because it is old and thick, but it is highly suitable for essential oil production. However PNG faces very stiff competition from plantations in Sri Lanka, Vietnam and China. Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andr.) seems to be the latest victim.

Most of us have been busy with vanilla over the last 4-5 years but, because of the dramatic decrease in the domestic price for PNG vanilla beans, we have decided to start producing essential oils from vanilla, aromatic barks, and other plants: copal, elemi, frangipani and lemongrass. We are aware of the need to conserve our natural environment and we will ensure that trees are not destroyed indiscriminately and that seedlings taken from the bush are cultivated on a large scale.

This is reassuring because, about 4 years ago, following the visit of a “potential” buyer to areas abundant with Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora Sieb.) and Cinnamon trees, which raised local expectations, the villagers cut down all their trees in order to strip the bark, not knowing that new regrowth of bark from the same tree could be harvested regularly over a period of 30 years. The bulk of the bark was never purchased or sold. 

Unfortunately, as I know from personal experience, these unnecessary assaults on the natural environment by the indigenous people are by no means uncommon. We can shout as much as we like from the comfort of our armchairs, but it is only when you are on the ground that you can appreciate fully the scope of the problem. After all, it is their land and livelihood.

I broached the question....

I recollect that there was talk of sandalwood production in PNG.  Any progress? I have bought from New Caledonia -not at all bad- and understand that production might be underway again in Vanuatu.

We have Sandalwood and Agarwood.

Have you distilled Sandalwood or Agarwood? Do you know the species? Are they sustainable? Do you have a management programme in place?

We buy Agarwood rarely, because of its exorbitant cost.  Also known as aloewood, calambac, eaglewood and oud, agarwood consists of irregular patches of dark streaks and blotches of oleoresin impregnated in the diseased wood of Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.  Healthy trees have an odourless wood which produces no oil.

It has been reported that trees which possess a girth of not less than 1.5 metres indicate an age of approximately eighty years or more.  Such a tree is reputed to possess the highest quantity of agarwood oil, around 6.8 to 9 kilos. Agarwood oil, which is obtained by distillation, has a characteristic balsamic odour with a sandalwood-like tonality.  It is one of the most highly priced oils.

It is used in India and ceremonially by the Arabs and Japanese for anointing the dead and to assist in the transition to the afterlife.  Eastern peoples believe that upon death the soul can be “lost” for a period of time. This can be avoided by anointing the person (and close relatives) to create a connection so that relatives can guide the deceased during this critical period of time.

It appears that you know quite a lot about Agarwood. Researching Agarwood used to be my hobby several years ago.  I have never managed to find Aquilaria agallocha. It could still be here somewhere.

In fact, I don’t know that much about agarwood otherwise I could guess what species they have in PNG.  I had thought it might be Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. until I read that this species is now considered to be synonymous with A. agallocha.  What is it?

I haven’t had any distilled yet, but I have been given a sample of oil processed in the Middle East.

This could give me a clue, because the older literature reports that an agarwood collected in Indonesia (presumed to be A. malaccensis) contained a-agarofuran, 10-epi-gamma-eudesmol and oxoagarospirol, which had not been detected in A. agallocha.  Confusing?

We will eventually start processing it [Agarwood oil] from the lower grade (very aromatic) wood available.  I imagine we should be able to offer a much lower and attractive price. 

And, yes, we do have Sandalwood. I will send you more info later.
I can barely wait! PNG is indubitably The Land of the Unexpected!

Official Comment.
Received my latest copy of your excellent Newsletter and of course need to clarify the query regarding aromatherapy and its definition for publication next time round, e-mailed Carole Preen from the AC Office.

Firstly, the AOC has not existed for 12 months and therefore ITEC will not be enforcing that.

[Newsletter 150 - Defining Aromatherapy]

The Aromatherapy Consortium (AC) is the body that is now setting all the standards and the whole profession is working together on this as it has united under the Consortium.  The Constitution defines aromatherapy thus in Appendix 1.

[Available on the AC website: www.aromatherapy-regulation.org.uk]

AROMATHERAPY - For the purposes of the AC the term “Aromatherapy” shall be taken to mean the systematic topical/external use of essential oils, excluding direct ingestion, in holistic treatments to improve physical and emotional well-being of human beings. Whenever the word “Aromatherapy” is used within the Constitution and its Appendices, this definition shall apply.

AROMATHERAPIST - An “Aromatherapist” is a person who practises aromatherapy and has been trained to a specific standard, as may be defined by the Consortium from time to time, in the use of Essential Oils for therapeutic purposes.

We cannot make medicinal claims about essential oils in our literature and leaflets because essential oils are not medicinally licensed. They come under General Products (Safety) Regulations or Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations.  The way we practise aromatherapy in the UK is unique in that we are free to train and practise our art without limitations. In France, for example, aromatherapists are medical practitioners and naturopaths. It is important that we adhere to the restrictions that do exist so that we can continue in our profession and this means not making medicinal claims for essential oils.  We can say that we work alongside the medical profession to complement orthodox healthcare and that we treat stress-related conditions and certain chronic conditions.

However, under current provisions, an aromatherapist can make claims for their blends to patients after a face to face consultation as set out in Section 12(1) of the Medicines Act, 1968. Although Sylvia Baker reported the current status with the MHRA in various journals recently, the situation is still ongoing and the AC is working with the MHRA to ensure that properly trained aromatherapists do not lose this right to practise under Section 12(1).

There is a lot of ongoing work within the Consortium as we prepare for regulation of the profession, and everyone can keep up to date with this by reading Minutes of Meetings on the website.  Aromatherapists on the AC Register also receive information via their newsletter and we have an information leaflet that AC Registered Aromatherapists can use to promote their therapy, including some research evidence showing the efficacy of essential oils, for just 21p. each (incl. p&p). 

Bipolar Disorder.
Can you ask your readers if they have any ideas to assist Bipolar Disorder, requested Christine Dawkins.

Bipolar Disorder (manic depression) is a mixed affective disorder in which the patient experiences alternating episodes of hypomania or mania and depression. Although isolated episodes of mania may occur, they are more usually part of bipolar disorder which is usually treated with a mood stabilizer such as lithium, valproic acid, or carbamazepine.

The lifetime risk for experiencing a major depressive disorder is 7% to 12% for men and 20% to 25% for women.  Apart from gender differences, prevalence rates are unrelated to race, education level, income, or civil status. Depression, as with most psychiatric diseases, is a genetic complex trait, meaning many genes are likely to be resonsible for the illness. The aetiology of depressive disorders is a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, with no single factor solely responsible. Depression is a biopsychosocial phenomenon with a number of causative factors, including biochemical, genetic, social, and psychologic.  Also, medical illness, including stroke, thyroid disease, cancer, heart disease, and hepatitis, along with a long list of medications, have been associated with the development of depression.

Given the current popularity of biologic intervention for the treatment of depression, it is no surprise that genetic predisposition, monoamine synaptic transmission abnormalities, and psychologic trauma are viewed as important factors in the development of these disorders.

Any treatment that results in sustained improvement in mood and behaviour should be considered biologic. The outdated and false distinction between organic and functional psychiatric diseases (and treatments) may ultimately be abandoned [George, M.S. et al. Activation studies in mood disorders. Psychiatr. Ann. 24:648, 1994]. Similarly, as current CAM treatments demonstrate efficacy, their distinction from conventional treatment will become blurred. Many therapies, although currently considered alternative, may prove in the future to be primary or augmentative therapies to existing mainstream clinical interventions.

Could aromatherapy assist? The use of fragrance to treat mental disease has been examined [Komori, T. et al. Effects of citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states. Neuroimmunomodulation 2:174, 1995].  Komori et al. studied 20 depressed male inpatients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for major depressive disorder and 20 age-matched controls.  In addition to monitoring depression ratings, extensive neuroimmunologic parameters were followed.

Results revealed that depressed patients improved with citrus fragrance and tricyclic antidepressant.  Immunologic measures showed a dramatic improvement with citrus therapy. In addition, citrus fragrance allowed reductions in the antidepressant dose. However, the initial dose reduced with citrus fragrance was below the normal therapeutic range initially. No serum level determinations were reported, making this reported finding difficult to interpret.

Komori et al. concluded that the use of citrus fragrance in treating depressed patients could be of psychoneuroimmunologic benefit.  The data would appear to confirm their claim.

However, as the authors accurately point out, caution must be exercised in interpreting the findings due to a small sample size, lack of blinding in the study design, and very low dosing with tricyclic antidepressants in the active control group. Nevertheless......

Despite the lack of well-controlled data, exploration into the role of aromatherapy in treating depression is warranted [Baron, D.A., Baron, A. Psychiatric Disorders.  2nd. Edn. Complementary and Alternative Medicine:An evidence-based approach, p. 251. Eds. Spencer, J.W. & Jacobs, J.J., 2003, Mosby, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri].    

Finally.....

Young Mick has just destroyed my shoelaces!

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