Packaging was becoming the bane of my life.

Since I joined the ‘domestic front’, I have avoided increasingly pre-packaged goods for fear of being unable to get into them. I rip and claw at attractively presented, sealed envelopes of enticing cold cuts to no avail and, in desperation, seize the sharpest knife to slice through the protective armour, invariably destroying half the contents in my haste. The hand-wrapped goodies from the deli are far more convenient. Ring-pull cans leave me searching for a can opener, because too often I end up ‘wedded’ to an unopened canister, the metal pull having become immediately detached and affixed around my knuckle. Corned beef, a long-time favourite, still has to be released with a metal key, which confounded me even as a small boy. Fortunately the packaging of fresh fruit and vegetables is not so frustrating, but is it adequate?

Recently Justin signed the whole team up to an organic fruit and vegetable box scheme. Each week individual boxes of organic fruit and veg are delivered from local farms and orchards, the contents packed in brown paper bags. However, they obviously don’t make paper bags like they used to: fruit and vegetables drop out of the bottom of them at will. Still, the product is undoubtedly more tasty and nutritious, albeit often dirt-encrusted and ungraded. Just the other day two grubby spuds fell from my bag, one the size of a small melon and the other that of a tomato!

Nevertheless, what to do with all this packaging once it has served its purpose? Recycle it, suggested Jan. Obviously, just stuffing it in the dustbin wasn’t good enough. Upon request, the local refuse department delivered quickly several plastic boxes expressly for the purpose.

Forty years ago, when working for the City of London Corporation, I visited regularly the Public Cleansing Department to study the management of waste and, therefore, thought myself quite an expert on sorting rubbish. Wrong! My first attempt at collating garbage was rejected by the collection team, accompanied by a terse note telling me what should go into which box. Suitably chastened, I set about the task with diligence, but had not allowed for the competitiveness of others. I had three boxes ‘nicked’ within a fortnight!

As the recycling bug took hold, Jan and Justin turned their attention to the office waste. Many items are already put to secondary use, but some inevitably have to go to the tip. Amongst these are larger plastic containers, in which are delivered vegetable oils, creams and lotions, and the like. All perfectly serviceable again, but taking up far too much space. For example, we had a mountain of 25 litre white plastic pails hanging about. They had to go!

The first UK Freecycle group started in London in October 2003. There are now 418 groups across the country, with almost three-quarters of a million members. Freecycle groups match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them. The aim is to keep usable items out of landfills. By using what we already have, we reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods, and lessen the impact on the environment. Also, it encourages us to get rid of junk that we no longer need and promotes community involvement in the process.

Freecycle UK is a Registered Charity and is a Company Limited by Guarantee. However, you need to be subscribed to a group before you can post a message. Everything posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages. Moreover, message postage etiquette is vital, and the subject line format must be followed. Check out freecycle.org for further information.

Subscribed to the local Chipping Norton group, Justin offered the 25 litre pails. Ideal for gardening, home brewing, and even housing/transporting pond fish, they were being snapped up within an hour of posting. Now, what else do we have taking up space?
Food for thought.
Your response to Sarah Wright [Scleroderma: Newsletter 182] provided me with some rich food for thought, e-mailed Peter O’ Rourke. Peter has experienced Reynaud’s Syndrome since childhood, and in his 50’s noticed scleroderma in both hands. He had never connected the two conditions until now, always dismissing the thickening on the hands as the result of doing massage for 30 years. I am delighted that my comments prompted him to share the following.....

Rosemary Caddy provided the basis for a great Reynaud’s Syndrome massage/bath blend using 2 drops Lavender, 2 drops Geranium and 3 drops Nutmeg. I have been using this blend at 3% dilution in Sesame oil for myself and fellow sufferers with excellent results.

My mention of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) for scleroderma prompted Peter to replace his blend with an Ayurvedic infusion of Gotu Kola in Sesame oil. The circulation in his extremities increased noticeably, and after four applications the thickening on the palms of his hands significantly relaxed and softened. Whilst he claims no miracle cure, he suggests that this mixture may indeed help Sarah’s mother.

Peter tells me that the Ayurvedic infusion is sold at Asian markets in London [and elsewhere, I would think] as a hair dressing under the name Brahmi or Brahmi/Amla oil. As far as he can recall, it is used in India to increase circulation of the scalp.

The leaf of gotu kola is said to be the preferred food of the mother elephant during her entire pregnancy. In Ayurveda the infused oil of the leaf is considered a rejuvenator for all systems in the body and is one of the most commonly used medicated oils. It can be found in a steam distilled form, but it is rare and quite costly. As Peter alludes, it is thought excellent for hair growth and the prevention of baldness.

Oils for Motor Neurone Disease?
Could you please advise me of oils that might help my husband Wilf, who is 75 and has recently been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. At the moment I am using Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Chamomile Blue. Strangely, he never liked the idea of having a massage. However a couple of weeks ago he read that massage was one of the few things that seems to help and, since then, he has a massage most mornings and enjoys it, e-mailed Moira Pape.
Motor neurone diseases are fatal progressive degenerative disorders of unknown cause which affect upper and lower motor neurones in the brain and spinal chord. The most common form of motor neurone disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which produces muscular atrophy and weakness and symptoms of progressive bulbar palsy such as slowness of movement and speech disturbances. There is no completely effective treatment.

However, as it is thought that accumulation of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the CNS may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, the glutamate antagonist riluzole has been tried with some success. In fact, the American Academy of Neurology produced a guide as to which categories of patients should receive riluzole therapy [Practice advisory on the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with riluzole. Neurology 1997; 49: 657-9]. It is worth noting also that some interest in the antiepileptic drug gabapentin has been reported [Miller, R.G. et al. Placebo-controlled trial of gabapentin in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurology 1996; 47: 1383-8].

Whatever, there is more to a treatment than its success in dealing with a specific problem. For example, someone with an arthritic problem might find that an anti-inflammatory drug and a massage might have similar short-term effects on pain. However, massage and drug therapy are essentially different forms of medicine. Drugs are generally cheap, easy to obtain and can be kept to hand; however, they can lead to unwanted side-effects and to tolerance and even addiction in the long term. Massage is much safer and it is enjoyable in itself, often bringing other benefits such as improved mood and a general sense of well-being. But massage can be relatively expensive, time consuming and inconvenient. To what extent someone will use drugs or massage might depend on what importance they attach to expense and convenience compared to relaxation and freedom from side-effects.   

Still, in this case, the dichotomy probably does not arise. The patient is elderly, his wife is a qualified therapist, and quality of life is likely more important than anything. As Sue Whyte, Elaine Cooper and Shirley Price comment, in Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, which should be on all bookshelves, palliative and supportive care differ in philosophy from curative strategies in that they focus primarily on the consequences of a disease rather than on its cause or specific cure. The approaches are holistic, pragmatic and multidisciplinary, with little distinction between palliation and support. Aromatherapy has helped hundreds of people to enjoy a quality of life better than they might otherwise have experienced, with even better prospects for the future.      

All the same, I think Moira and Wilf most courageous souls. Moira has chosen her blend very well, for Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) relieves anxiety, stress, tension, worry and apprehension, and Chamomile Blue (Matricaria recutita L.) dispels emotional tension and nervousness, whilst Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson) is calming and uplifting. Nevertheless, I wonder if they have ever considered orthodox drug therapy as well, or is that not germane? I only ask, because I often wonder what others would do in such circumstances. Perhaps, someone might let me know. Meanwhile, any other suggested blends would be most welcome.

A useful guide to Indian Head Massage.
I was delighted to receive recently the latest book from the keyboards of Mary Dalgleish & Lesley Hart, Indian Head Massage in Essence. As Mary mentioned in her accompanying note, unlike ear candling [See Newsletter 179], there are quite a few books on this topic but Mary and Lesley have tried to make their book a little different with more information on history, interesting topics such as Ayurveda and Marma points, and a little more detail on vegetable oils and Ayurvedic blends. Knowing nothing whatsoever about Marma points I turned to this section first.

Just as the physical body has a vital network of nerves centralised in the spinal column, the subtle body has a network of energy channels called meridians or nadis (Sanskrit: ‘channel’, or ‘flow’). There are 14 principal nadis, branching out to thousands of nadis, interconnecting the chakras. The use of pressure points is a widespread tool in natural healthcare, for example in acupressure. In Ayurveda these points are called ‘marmas’, meaning ‘vulnerable’ or ‘sensitive’ zones, and they are an important aspect of Ayurvedic treatments. Marmas connect to the nadis and chakras, and distribute prana throughout the body.

A marma point is a junction on the body where two or more types of tissue meet, for example muscles, veins, ligaments, bones or joints. There are 107 marma points throughout the body, with 37 located on the head and neck. They are measured by finger widths (‘anguli’) of the person being treated. The location may vary from one to eight finger widths, and often relates to a region rather than a specific point.

In Indian Head Massage, marmas are used to harmonise the flow of prana, or to treat a specific organ or system or a specific dosha imbalance. Oils are commonly applied to marma points on the head during scalp massage. The head and neck have the largest number of marmas and these are important for treating psychological conditions and nervous disorders.

The book has excellent illustrations of the 14 regions and 37 marmas of the head and neck, and a useful little section on Ayurvedic blends. Brahmi (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban), I note, helps to control problems related to stress and, also, provides relief from dandruff. Amla, which is extracted from the Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.), feeds and nourishes the scalp and strengthens hair roots. The common weed Bhringraja (Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.), which means ‘ruler of the hair’, apparently deters greying, darkens the hair, slows down hair loss, relieves headaches and promotes deep sleep. This one warrants further research!

This excellent little book (134 pages) concentrates on practical application with step-by-step photographs of numerous massage routines. It enthuses and encourages further study. Written in an accessible style with numerous learning features such as FAQs and case studies, Indian Head Massage in Essence is the perfect introduction for enthusiastic home learners and students on short courses, as well as a valuable resource on level 2 & 3 courses for massage
therapists wishing to enhance their skills. 

The changing biblical landscape.
The Dead Sea is not yet dead nor is the Red Sea red, but an ambitious multi-billion-dollar plan to pump Red Sea water could turn the shrinking Dead Sea red!

Apparently, according to Friends of the Earth Middle East (Foeme), the Red-Dead Peace Conduit, which would take water from the Red Sea, could encourage algae growth and turn the blue-grey waters of the Dead Sea reddish-brown. The conduit would bring water 125 miles via a network of pipes and canals to top up the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea has retreated about three feet a year for 25 years, and the River Jordan is the sea’s only source of water but this has also shrunk as it provides irrigation and drinking water. Crisis scenarios forecast its disappearance by 2050.

Mass medication?
Folic acid is a source of folate, a vitamin found in broccoli, sprouts, peas, chickpeas, yeast extract, brown rice and fruit. It is important for the development of the spine in the first stages of pregnancy, and women are advised to take 400 micrograms a day or risk the development of neural tube defects in their babies such as spina bifida or anencephaly, where part of the skull or brain is missing. But research shows that just half of all women follow that advice.

Therefore, in a move that could save dozens of babies every year from being born with serious disabilities, the compulsory addition of folic acid to bread has been proposed. This, say doctors and charities, would lead to a major reduction in the number of babies developing spina bifida or other birth defects and prevent hundreds of abortions.

It is expected that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) will advise the Government to introduce compulsory fortification of white and brown wheat flour, which would affect most bread products manufactured in the UK. This would mark the first mandatory fortification of food since the second world war. Wholewheat flour would likely be exempt so that people would have the choice whether or not to eat the fortified bread. The Agency will also recommend controls on current folic acid supplements as well as a labelling programme for foods that are already fortified.

Such a plan would bring Britain broadly in line with 40 other countries which already enrich flour. Since introducing a compulsory scheme in 1998, the US has seen cases of spina bifida fall by half in many areas.

However, research scientists have warned that the FSA’s suggested average increased intake for each person of 60 to 100 micrograms may be neither here nor there. Several years ago, a Government report suggested the average daily intake should be raised by 200 micrograms.
Professor Nicholas Wald, a spokesman on folic acid for the Academy of Medical Sciences,
said: “Why introduce a level of fortification that is below the level of other countries, and reduce the possible health benefits?” In America, the minimum recommended increase was 100 micrograms.

In the UK, between 700 and 900 pregnancies every year are affected by neural tube defects. FSA research has estimated that, after mandatory fortification of 300 micrograms of folic acid in every 100 grams of flour, between 77 and 166 fewer babies would suffer neural tube birth defects per year.

Nevertheless, critics say that it amounts to “mass medication” and could make it difficult to identify vitamin B12 deficiency in older people, particularly anaemia. It could also increase the price of bread, and how could it be added to flour without affecting biscuits and cakes as well? What do you think?

Gila provides hope for diabetic sufferers.
As a small boy, the most-thumbed page in my Wonder Book of Reptiles & Amphibians was that depicting a Gila monster. As one who spent every penny he could scrounge on buying reptiles through the columns of Exchange & Mart, the Gila was the Holy Grail. They were rarely offered for sale and, when they were, they were far beyond my meagre means. Upon reflection, this was probably no bad thing, because this species (Heloderma suspectum) and the Mexican bearded lizard (Holoderma horridum) are the only living venomous lizards.

The venom of this corpulent and gaudy lizard is used principally to immobilize prey, but is extremely dangerous for humans as well. The gila monster is diurnally active and its peak surface activity is the springtime. More than 95% of its life is spent underground which has long given the impression that they are rare and nocturnal.

About 2m people have been diagnosed with diabetes in Britain and there are an estimated further half-million who remain undiagnosed. Globally, diabetes affects more than 194m people, 85% to 95% of whom have type-2 diabetes.

The Gila monster eats only three or four times a year and a compound produced in its salivary glands called exendin-4 may help them digest these meals very slowly over time. That is an advantageous quality when translated into controlling diabetes, because exendin-4 has been shown to act in a similar way to the human glucagon-like peptide-1. In healthy humans, this hormone stimulates production of insulin in the pancreas when sugar levels get too high. In type-2 diabetes, this messaging system can break down.

Scientists at Eli Lilly and Amlyn Pharmaceuticals have developed a version of exendin-4 that can be injected into patients. The product, exenatide, was launched in the UK the other week under the brand name Byetta.

Meanwhile, the wild population of the Gila monster has been declining rapidly due to loss of habitat and illegal hunting for pets. A conservation scheme, Project Heloderma, has been set up in Central and North America, where the reptiles live. Eli Lilly is making a charitable contribution to the project. Who says pharmaceutical companies have no heart?!

Get a copy!
Further to the debate about gynaecomastia [See Newsletters 180 & 181], Brian Lawrence, the distinguished Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Essential Oil Research, commences his examination of the research behind the New England Journal of Medicine report’s claim in the May edition of Perfumer & Flavorist. This month, he will conclude by discussing the composition and biological activity of lavender and tea tree; topical application of essential oils and/or their constituents; commercially available essential oils; and safety assessments of essential oils and/or their constituents. After publication, you will be able to purchase the full article by visiting www.PerfumerFlavorist.com/articles.

Liquidambar.
When I came into the office this morning, there was a short note on my desk asking me to write something about Levant styrax. Amazingly, I do not think that I have ever mentioned it before.

Styrax, or storax, is an aromatic balsam formed and exuded by the styrax tree when the sapwood is injured. The pathological (rather than physiological) exudate congeals upon exposure to air. It is collected for commercial purposes, being widely used in perfumery, for the scenting of soaps, and in certain medicinal preparations.

There are two sources of commercial styrax, viz., the so-called Levant or Asiatic styrax, and the American styrax.

Levant styrax (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.) is a slow-growing deciduous tree native to Asia Minor. It forms natural forests around Bodrum, Milas, Mugla and Marmaris in Turkey. More than 10 metres in height, it has numerous branches, and a thick, purplish/grey bark. It flowers in May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The white flowers are monoecious and are pollinated by bees.

The name Liquidambar was coined by Monardes in the sixteenth century for the resin obtained in Mexico from American styrax (Liquidambar styraciflua L.). Liquidambar orientalis was not known here botanically until the middle of the nineteenth century, when it was grown in Chelsea, Kew, and other botanical gardens from seed brought from the Levant via Paris.

Although the tree is now cultivated in Germany and France, wild trees do not have to be felled in order to yield styrax. Styrax is collected from the time the trees are three to four years old. The bark is removed spotwise, and the sapwood is deliberately injured. Styrax oozes from the wound and is collected in cans or scraped from the wound. The peeled bark can be boiled in water to yield an additional amount of styrax.

Levant styrax is a very viscous or semi-liquid mass of greenish-grey to brownish-grey colour which deposits, on standing, a heavy, dark brown layer. It possesses a characteristic balsamic odour. When heated moderately, the mass melts. It contains substantial amounts of cinnamic acid, which should be considred when styrax is used in soap perfumes.

L. orientalis has been the Liquidambar species most commonly used medicinally since the 19th century. It acts as both an irritant and an expectorant within the respiratory tract, and is one of the ingredients in Friar’s Balsam. In addition, it is applied externally to encourage the healing of skin diseases and problems such as scabies, wounds and ulcers. Mixed with witch hazel and rosewater, it makes an astringent face lotion.

We have never stocked it, and I doubt that we will, because I would think its action very similar to that of Tolu Balsam (Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. balsamum), Benzoin (Styrax benzoin Dryander) and Peru Balsam (Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. pereirae), which we do have on the shelves.

Finally.....
I have a stinker of a cold, and so I am off home! 



charles@essentiallyoils.com

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