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Once those with whom I was at school, university or work many years ago surmise that by now I must have reached pensionable age, they can barely wait to induce me to join them in retirement. Rather than
simply picking up the phone or penning me an e-mail, all is scripted in the annual Christmas card. I have just got around to reviewing this year’s crop of seasonal messages.
Have a great Christmas! We’re just off to the Caribbean for a couple of months. So? I’ve got a business to run! Surprised
not to see you at Silverstone, Le Mans, Pau, Indianapolis and Suzuka. I’m not that keen on motor racing! Would you believe it, we’ve managed to reduce our golf handicaps! Yes. Eighteen holes a day, seven days a week, can
improve play! After all these years it was great to see you the other day, but you have shrunk! You used to be taller than me at school. So what, I’ve developed a natural stoop: forty years behind a desk can have that
effect! Jill and I have decided to take up bungee jumping and ballooning in our old age. Multivitamins have much to answer for!
Of course I shouldn’t be so testy, because I am sure that these comments are well
meant, but to one who is still midst the daily grind they are a little irritating. Nevertheless, I am not one to discard lightly the hints of my peers. I slumped in a chair with a comforting glass of red in hand to mull over
the implications.
Two months away? Jan and I have not had a serious holiday for ten years, and I doubt that we shall in the future. Still, after forty-seven years of rising with the birds, I do fancy a bit of a
break. Following the Formula 1 circus? I could never justfy the expense. Golf? I don’t think so, although years and years ago I used to play off quite a low handicap.
When first I went to London I was in
digs in Park Royal. My landlady, a gentlewoman who had fallen on hard times, had assured the Law Society, who arranged my lodgings, that she would provide breakfast and an evening meal within the rent, but she had failed to
admit that she could not cook. After a couple of well incinerated repasts, we had to agree a compromise. I would cook my own breakfast and she would take me to her golf club for an evening meal, but I was to be introduced at
the club as her nephew from overseas! All was fine until I began to grow a little portly. She suggested that a round or two of golf might sort the problem. That summer I was forever on the golf course. The weight came off, and
my handicap tumbled to eight. However, having moved into central London, I never picked up a golf club again.
Bungee jumping or ballooning? Not a chance, as I suffer from occasional vertigo. All the same,
I do quite like flying. Perhaps I should swap my collection of elderly motors for a vintage biplane. On second thoughts, I’m no Biggles and a little gentle punting on the Isis might suit me better. Whatever, all this pondering
had me seriously thinking.
And so, dear readers, today I slipped from behind the desk into semi-retirement. Justin and Jan now run the business, whilst I try to regain a couple of inches in height! Of course I shall
continue to write my monthly missive, but I shall not be so readily available to answer your questions. However do keep sending them in and I shall endeavour to answer as many as I can through the Newsletter.
Meanwhile
the shopping trolley, ironing board and vacuum cleaner await me but, between these chores, I shall also do a little reading, writing, travelling, gardening, animal husbandry, and anything else that takes my fancy. Bliss!
A lousy problem.
Looking back over the years, a recurrent request has been for head-lice remedies. Sadly, few tell me if my suggestions are successful. However, prompted by two more calls last week, let us look
again at what might help.
Most conventional remedies are formulated around pyrethroids and permethrins, extracted from Pyrethrum
(Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch. Bip.),but there is considerable evidence that these botanical insecticides quickly lose their potency.
Among the classes of insecticides, the six natural pyrethrins are unique
for their very rapid action against many species of insects combined with minimal hazard to mammals. However, all are decomposed in air and light with loss of insecticidal activity. Whilst synthetic variants of these esters are
relatively more stable, successive use of various insecticide groups has led to broad cross-resistance, that is tolerance to one insecticide confers resistance to others even though the insects have not been exposed to the
other compounds.
Insect resistance to insecticides is an example of evolution on a time scale that is sufficiently brief to allow its easy detection and quantification. It is a population phenomenon that results from
repeated exposure over a number of generations to an insecticide that kills the most susceptible portion of the population. Survivors possess genetically-derived capabilities that allow them to withstand the effects of the
insecticide. Thus, resistance can be defined as a change in an insect population over time that results in their ability to withstand dosages of a given insecticide that were previously effective in killing them. It was first
evident early in the last century and has become extensive since the introduction in the 1950s of synthetic organic insecticides. The problem appears to become worse with each passing year.
About half (circa 1 million)
of the known species of living creatures are insects and 10,000 of these influence mankind adversely and are, therefore, considered to be pests. Insects consume about 30% of food grown and billions of dollars are spent annually
protecting crops from the havoc they cause. Diptera (insects, such as flies and gnats, that have two wings) are vectors of malaria, filariasis, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis, and onchocerciasis, which debilitate and kill
people and domestic animals on a vast scale. Insects such as the spruce budworm attack both seedling and mature forest trees and migrant pests, such as locusts, are responsible for enormous crop losses. In the home, human and
animal lice, fleas, bugs, and ticks cause much irritation and their bites can spread devastating bacterial diseases.
Essential oils have been used traditionally to get rid of head lice and are often mentioned in
commercial alternative head-lice products. In fact, some have even been clinically tested.
In one study, aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L.), cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees),
red thyme (Thymus zygis L.) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel) were each found to be effective when applied in an alcohol solution, followed by a rinse the following morning with an essential
oil/vinegar/water mixture. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) were effective as a blend [Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery, 1996; 2
: 97-101].
Another trial showed that the main components of tea tree can kill head lice [J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 2004; 56: 375-9].
However an even more powerful insecticide is neem (Azadirachta
indica A. Juss.), which disrupts the insects’ hormones, preventing them from feeding and breeding.
Against head lice, it is only slightly less powerful than malathion, one of the safer organophosphorous insecticides used in the treatment of head and pubic pediculosis [J. Egypt Soc. Parasitol., 2000; 30: 699-708].
Last year, a study in children found a neem seed-extract to be safe and highly effective against all stages of head lice [Parasitol. Res., 2006 August 10th; Epub. ahead of print].
What’s more, it is said not to produce resistance.
Of other preparations, some may remember me writing about the use in Israel of Chick-Chack. A natural remedy containing coconut (Cocos nucifera L.),
aniseed and ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata genuina Hook & Thom. f.), it proved to be as effective as permethrin and melathion. It eliminated head lice in 92% of the 119 children involved in the trial
[Isr. Med. Assoc. J., 2002; 4: 790-3].
Although most treatments require the nits themselves to be removed by a fine-toothed comb, a shampoo made from the twigs of pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba (L.)
Dunal) - as well as thymol and tea tree - was 100% effective in removing both head lice and nits (Phytomed., 2002; 9: 743-8].
However, as I do not know where to put my hands immediately on some
pawpaw twigs, why not try this home remedy, suggested by Louise Rogers. Armed with some hair conditioner and a head-lice comb, wet the hair, towel it dry,put on the conditioner and comb through for a good 30 minutes.
Rinse the comb in hot water after every trawl. Repeat this every couple of days until there are no lice left. Hopefully they will not return but, just to make absolutely sure, repeat the process a month later, and another month
after that.
Ear candles.
The other day I was sent a fascinating book by Mary Dalgleish, co-author with Lesley Hart of Ear Candling in Essence, which is fast-becoming the
standard text on the subject. I have to admit that I knew nothing whatsoever about thermal-auricular therapy as it is sometimes called, although it has been used for milennia. This fascinating book covers the history of ear
candling from its use by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Aztecs to other world cultures including the Hopi Indians by whose name the treatment is often referred today. As I have long had an interest in Native
American Indians, I read further.
The Hopi are a Native American tribe who live primarily on a 1.5 million acre reservation in north-eastern Arizona. They are renowned for their extensive knowledge of healing and their
spiritual lifestyle, and more than most Native American peoples, they continue to practise some aspects of their traditional ceremonial culture.
The translation of the word ‘Hopi’ means ‘peaceful ones’, and within this
tribe there were various clans, each with differing practices. Although the Hopi never called them ear candles, the Hopi Fire Clan used rolled waxed leaves infused with herbs as part of their spiritual ceremonies. The Hopi
candles used today are named after this tribe who first introduced this gentle therapy to the West, with the commercial assistance of the German company Biosun.
Nevertheless, as the book points out correctly, ear
candling has received some negative publicity in recent years, with reports on various internet sites of injuries such as burns of the pinna and external auditory canal, partial or complete occlusion of the ear canal with
candle wax, and tympanic membrane (eardrum) perforation. These accidents are usually due to the use of poor quality ear candles with no safety features, and lack of knowledge on the part of the person carrying out the
treatment. The importation and sale of ear candles is currently prohibited in Canada, and no medical device licences have been approved for these products. All of this has led sceptics to claim that they are dangerous and have
no effect but, on the other hand, there are many thousands of users who report excellent results and health benefits from their use.
Ear candles are natural products, but the term ‘candle’ is a bit misleading since they
are not candles as we usually understand them. They are hollow, have no wick and are usually made from cotton, cotton-flax or hemp fibres. Top quality ear candles are sourced from unbleached organically grown crops. The fibres
are stiffened when they are sprayed with pure beeswax, and the basic ear candle is as simple as that. Many varieties include the addition of herbs and other ingredients with various therapeutic benefits.
Thus, rather
than decreasing in popularity, demand for ear candles has increased sharply in the USA, Middle East, UK and the rest of Europe. Now, there are several brands of ear candles and cones available, which have been rigorously tested
for quality and safety, compliant with EU regulation 93/42/EEC and registered as a medical device in the EU.
Written in an accessible style with numerous FAQs, case studies and summaries, this book is the perfect
introduction for students on short courses, professional therapists topping up their skills, and anyone wanting to learn more about the history and practice of ear candling. With step-by-step colour photographs, it concentrates
on practical application and instruction on the treatment. There is also a very useful chapter on contraindications. I thoroughly enjoyed my read, and good value at £12.99.
Nindi in particular, and Labiates in general.
When reading the older literature, I am constantly surprised by the number of oils that time has passed by and that have never come to market outside their countries of origin.
An extensive research on perfume
plants was undertaken in the late 1930s and continued some years after World War II. English and French scientists were busy in Africa and other areas of the world, and their reports often included several hundred species of
common - but outside the place of origin - unknown odorous plants, trees, etc.
The French botanist R.-L. Joly, the English H.T. Islip, the Australian A.R. Penfold, and many other local and travelling botanist-explorers
and scientists have given perfumers all over the world dozens of highly interesting “new” aromatic oils. Nindi,or Ninde, oil, is derived from the African Aeollanthus myrianthus Bak., a member of the Labiatae.
The
Labiatae, or Lamiaceae, is a large and natural family of mostly herbs and undershrubs containing many useful plants such as sage (Salvia) and mint (Mentha). Few regions of the world lack labiates; they grow
in almost all types of habitat and at all altitudes, from the Arctic to the Himalayas, Southeast Asia to Hawaii and Australasia, throughout Africa and the New World from north to south.
Most species are shrubby or
herbaceous; trees are extremely rare but do occur in the huge South American genus Hyptis, where some species can reach 12 metres. The stems often have a characteristic square shape. The leaves are mostly simple,
opposite and decussate (each pair at right angles to the next) and are without stipules (a leafy appendage). The plants are often covered in hairs and glands that emit an aromatic fragrance.
The flowers of all labiates are essentially bisexual, but in many species of Mentha, Nepeta or Ziziphora, for instance, up to 50% of the plants may have flowers in which the male organs are reduced and sterile and the
flower is functionally female. In these flowers, the corollas (petals) are often smaller and paler coloured. Flowers are irregular and basically comprise: five fused sepals (outer floral leaves) forming a funnel- or bell-shape,
sometimes two-lipped; five fused petals; four or two epipetalous stamens (male organs), either of two lengths or nearly equal; and a superior ovary of two fused carpels (female reproductive organs) which form four distinct
locules (a cavity of the ovary) each with one basic ovule. A characteristic feature of the family is the gynobasic style, arising from the base of and between the lobes of the ovary. The fruits consist of four one-seeded
indehiscent achene-like nutlets. The seeds have little or no endosperm.
Various types of specialized pollination mechanisms occur; these are usually linked with insects, sometimes moths or butterflies, or with
birds. The most advanced type is found in Salvia. A visiting insect knocks its head against one end of an elongated curved stamenal connective which effectively prevents access to the nectar. As it does so, the
other end of the staminal arm comes down by means of an articulating joint, tapping the insect’s back with pollen. Although in most labiates pollination is accomplished by insects, there are many scarlet-flowered species in the
New World, often with very long corolla-tubes, which are pollinated by long-tongued humming birds.
However, in Hyptis and Aeollanthus explosive types of pollination mechanism are used. In these cases the
mechanism consists of a tight juxtaposition of stamens and corolla lobes: the stamens are held under tension by the enfolding lobes of the corolla so that when an insect lands on the lower lip the stamens are abruptly released
and a cloud of pollen dusts the pollinator.
Many labiates are grown for their combined virtues of attractive flowers and pleasant smell. Mostly these are the aromatic herbs of Mediterranean origin, such as mint, marjoram
and thyme, so commonly used in flavouring food, but others which are important sources of essential oils are not infrequently cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. Various species of Ocimum (basil and sweet basil)
are much grown; a species of Pogostemon is the source of patchouli, much used in perfumery and aromatherapy, and Perilla, grown in India for its oil, is used in printing inks and paint.
In different
parts of the world, native species of Labiatae are much used by the local people: in Turkey and elsewhere, Sideritis leaves provide a tea-like drink; in Iran, Ziziphora is used to flavour yoghurt; and in India and Southeast Asia, tubers of Plectranthus rotundifolius (Poiret)
Sprengel (hausa potato) are eaten as a potato substitute. All of which brings me back to Nindi oil.
A. myrianthus (syn: A. gamwelliae Taylor) is a small flowering shrub which grows as a weed in much of Central Africa, but early literature suggests that the essential oil was produced in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) and Tanzania (Tanganyika) only. The entire overground parts of the plant, occasionally including the underground parts, were used for distillation.
More recently Malawi (Nyasaland) became the major producing area but poor distillation, due to the use of field stills resulting in some burning, led to rejection of the oil on world markets. Also, storage in
second-hand petroleum drums can hardly have helped. Still, none of this was at all unusual forty years ago. I recollect that our own initial efforts with tea tree were little better. However the main factor that probably
terminated commercial production was the advent of cheap synthetic geraniol. As it was, Nindi only attracted attention when supplies of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) J.F. Watson) were not available, as it was
used as a substitute for this and citronella (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) to perfume soap. It has also been used successfully as an adulterant for rose oil.
Best quality oil is obtained by steam distillation of
the flowers alone. The oil is a pale yellow liquid of powerful and fresh-rosy, lemony odour with an almost muguet-like, delicate topnote and a sweet, pleasant, rosy dryout note. Our own analysis of a trial distillation confirms
that geraniol is indeed the major component (80%+) of the oil but, sadly, I doubt that it will ever replace citronella and palmarosa. All the same, it does have some scientific interest since it is one of the comparatively few
geraniol-nerol type essential oils which is produced from a member of the Labiatae family.
Travel plans.
Having exhausted myself answering Julie Tredgarth’s question about pollination and the
labiates (who put her up to this?!), I thought that I would relax for a few minutes planning a little travel for the future.
On May 21st last year, Montenegrins voted to secede from the Union of Serbia-Montenegro, also
known as the Federation of Yugoslav Republics. After nearly a century, Montenegro is once again an independent country. Small in size, big in heart, with a diverse and spectacular natural beauty rivalled by few countries of
comparable size, in 1991 Montenegro was the first to declare itself an “ecological state”.
Lying on the mid-Adriatic coast, with Albania to the south, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north, and Serbia and Kosovo
on its eastern borders, this home to fewer than 700,000 souls has always existed on the periphery of attention. The flora of Montenegro is one of the most diverse of any comparable-sized temperate or subtropical region in the
world.
Generally classified as having a Mediterranean climate along the coast and continental climate inland, though microclimates can be found along the coast, valleys, mountains, and plateaus, creating a diversity of
habitats with subtropical to alpine floras. The geological features form three distinct floristic zones, including the inland mountains, the central lowland plain, and the Adriatic coast. The diverse climate and relief features
create a high degree of biological diversity in a very small territory.
Montenegro has 3,136 vascular plants, of which 659 species are medicinal. Three of the top fifteen best-selling herbs on world markets are
wild-harvested in Montenegro, including St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.), and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). In addition, the Adriatic coast from Albania to Montenegro is the world’s largest production area of wild-harvested Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.).
Prior to the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, Montenegro was an important and vibrant trading centre for medicinal and aromatic plants, primarily harvested in the Balkans and Coastal Mountains. After the Balkan civil
wars began in the early 1990s, Montenegro, then still a State within Serbia, suffered from United Nations sanctions and later from NATO bombing. This halted exports of bulk medicinal aromatic herbs from Montenegro. The period
of sanctions devastated the herb sector. Sage sales plummeted and much of the bulk business shifted to Albania. Today, Montenegro is in the process of rebuilding, with containers of sage once again being shipped to
international destinations. I’m on my way!
STOP PRESS!
Making Mood Perfumes
1 Day CPD Course
with
Gill Farrer-Halls
at
Essentially Oils Limited, 8-10, Mount Farm, Churchill
on
Saturday, 31st March, 2007
Saturday, 14th April, 2007
or
Saturday, 21st April, 2007
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: £70 inclusive
* An introduction to mood perfumes & how to make them.
* The opportunity to work with a wide range of essential oils.
* Experiment with new and different blends.
* How to integrate mood perfumes into aromatherapy practice.
* Learn about and use unusual and exotic absolutes.
* Make and take away TWO different mood perfumes.
* All essential oils, absolutes, bases, bottles, etc. are provided.
In this practical, imaginative and greative workshop you will learn about the value of mood perfumes and how they can become an integral part of your aromatherapy practice. It will help you to break
away from your habitual choices of oils and blends and discover new oils and absolutes to enrich your blending skills.
You will need to bring only pen and paper. We
shall provide lunch and all refreshments, a full range of essential oils and absolutes, smelling strips, 1 x 50ml spray bottle, 2 x 10ml rollette bottles, and sufficient base oil, hydrosols, alcohol (not for drinking!) and handouts to ensure that you have a great day making your own Mood Perfumes.
Gill Farrer-Halls is a writer, and the author of seventeen books in the MindBodySpirit genre. Her aromatherapy titles include The Aromatherapy Bible, Good Health Magic, Mediations & Rituals Using Aromatherapy
Oils, Spiritual Spa, Soap & Scent, and Face Creams, Hair Rinses & Body Lotions. I am sure that she will be happy to autograph a copy or two!
Gill has been a visiting teacher of aromatherapy for Neal’s
Yard Remedies in Japan for the last seven years, and visits twice a year to teach, hold exams and run CPD classes. Previously she taught for the London School of Aromatherapy for eight years. Gill served as a Council Member on
the Board of the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) for the last two years, and is an examiner for the IFA.
With more than twenty years experience of Buddhist meditation, professional writing and
aromatherapy practice, Gill has a particular interest in combining meditation and intuitive understanding of essential oils with massage, and using a creative, psychological/emotional and intuitive approach to blending.
Finally.....
It looks like being a good year for courses!
charles@essentiallyoils.com