Very many thanks to all those who wished me well in semi-retirement - it was very much appreciated. However, some thought that I might not be writing the Newsletter again. No such luck, I’m afraid. Barely one month later, I’m back behind the desk to knock out a few words on the trusty laptop. By Jove, I’m rusty! My nails have grown far too long and I keep hitting the wrong keys.

As some suggested, I am busier than ever and wonder how I ever had time to work! As I did not really wish to break the habit of a lifetime, I have continued to rise with the birds, which is perhaps just as well as I have four voracious pheasants rapping on the door from first light. Meanwhile, Mung and Mick have adjusted quickly to my new domestic role and try to help in every way they can, constantly dogging me as I go about my daily tasks. Ogden Nash was so correct when he commented that a door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of - a revolving barrier might be the answer! The parrots, unused to me having anything other than a cup of coffee to start the day, screech stridently for a buttered crumb as soon as the toaster is depressed. However, as I am beginning to put on a little weight in my more leisured life, I am soon going to put a stop to that!

Believing a regimen to be most important, I cast my mind back to the days of my youth. Aha! Monday always used to be washday. I would commence my week with a little laundry. What folly! I couldn’t even turn the washing machine on. Still, there had to be an owner’s manual somewhere. Some hours later I emerged triumphantly from a cupboard clutching a dog-eared pamphlet. I find the heating controls on modern cars somewhat complicated, but the dials on this automated washing tub had me absolutely confounded. The last time I had tackled such a task there had been a washboard and mangle involved. I spun dials left and right, and then hit the ‘on’ button. All was well until I turned it off: I grappled endlessly to get into the thing. An annoying red light kept flashing “door locked”. I gave up, and switched it on again. Ninety minutes later the light finally went out and with some trepidation I opened the door. Inside there was a single handkerchief. When Jan returned that evening she asked me how my day had gone. I had only a square of very clean cotton to show for my day’s toil. It was not an auspicious start!  

The vacuum cleaner, however, holds no such fears and I am becoming a bit of a hoovering fanatic. Nevertheless my best efforts seem to be achieving little, as Mick traipses endlessly backwards and forwards from my freshly turned vegetable patch leaving muddy footprints that belie his small stature. You would think that a yeti had passed through the house!

Some may remember that last year when Jan sprained her ankle I was forced to hone my skills driving a shopping trolley. It did not go too well. However I recollect the most my difficulty in finding a parking space sufficiently large to accommodate my presidential-size, ancient Mercedes. Beloved for years by dictators around the world, it is an ideal car if you have the requisite outriders and armour-plating, which I do not. Therefore, I tended to return from the supermarket rather scratched and battered. Fortunately, as a retirement present, Justin has given me a hot hatch in which to do battle in the car park. Now I nip into the smallest space in the 1-hour parking zone. Still, without in-store satnav, I am still a little slow around the shelves and the location of the roasted nuts had me fooled for quite a while. However much time can be made up racing along the booze aisle, which is somewhat akin to a motorway. I screech to a halt at the ‘Cash Only’ counter only to be told to go elsewhere, because I do not have a scanner. It is all quite frustrating, as the parking police hover menacingly around my conveyance. But, all in all, I like to think that I have progressed quite a way within four weeks!  

Seedy Toe.
Here’s a question that really should have been directed to GEOTA (The Guild of Essential Oil Therapists for Animals) or Caroline Ingraham, a leading proponent of the therapy of ‘Animal Aromatics’, but it arrived on my desk just as I was about to leave for ‘retirement’.

I haven’t bought anything from you in ages. Always bound to catch my attention! However, my horse has ‘seedy toe’ which I understand from the farrier is an anaerobic bacteria. I seem to recall using Tea Tree oil many years ago. Can you suggest anything better?

Nasty! Seedy toe is a separation of the horse’s hoof wall from the underlying sensitive laminae at the white line, resulting in a cavity which fills with crumbling dirt, horn and debris and is prone to associated infection. Infection with anaerobic bacteria and yeasts, which are common hoof contaminants and an important feature in all forms of seedy toe, can liquefy hoof keratin, separating the sensitive laminae, progressing to rotation of the pedal bone as in laminitis. The separated and necrotic infected horn should be removed by a farrier or vet with a hoof knife, establishing drainage and exposing the infected tissues to air, discouraging growth of anaerobic bacteria. It is imperative to ensure that the horse is fully vaccinated against tetanus, an invariably fatal infection which can gain access through seedy toe.

In Australia, where we had 50 or 60 horses on the property, we would probably have just applied Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel). However, there, they did not give day-to-day riding animals much concern, as they were simply a means of getting around. Whereas here we tend to treat them as part of the family, and little expense is spared. Therefore, intuitively, I suggested rather expensive Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) with which to blend the Ozzie cure-all. Surely any plant that has horse [Greek: hippos] within its binomial must have some therapeutic benefits for equines. All the same, would it help seedy toe?

I just wanted to let you know that my farrier has never seen seedy toe completely clear up so quickly. I have to say that I was also feeding my horse a systematic supplement, but there is no doubt that the sea buckthorn and tea tree oils played a huge part in the healing process, e-mailed Julia Dunnicliffe upon my return.

An issue for concern?
Gynaecomastia is a benign glandular enlargement of the male breast, caused either by increased oestrogenic activity or decreased androgenic activity. Examples of gynaecomastia caused by increased oestrogenic activity include oestrogen-secreting malignancies, increased aromatization of androgens [any substance that stimulates and preserves the secondary male characteristics and structure; usually a hormone secreted by the testes or adrenal cortex and, when given to a female, these substances have a masculinizing effect] into oestrogens [the collective name for the female sex hormones, which are responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics in the female and for the changes that occur in the genitalia during menstruation], and exposure to drugs with oestrogenic activity such as digitoxin. Neonatal and pubertal gynaecomastia (the former due to exposure to maternal oestrogens, the latter because oestrogen levels increase before androgens do) come into this category.

Examples of gynaecomastia caused by decreased androgenic activity include the various
forms of hypogonadism, increased metabolism of androgens (for example in alcoholism),
and exposure to drugs with anti-androgenic properties such as spironolactone, cimetidine, ketoconazole, cyproterone acetate, or flutamide.

Gynaecomastia has a high rate of spontaneous regression, and specific therapy (other than the removal of any cause) need only be considered if the enlarged breast tissue causes sufficient pain, embarrassment, or emotional discomfort.

What, some may think, does this have to do with aromatherapy?

Repeated use of products containing lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) or tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel) may spur breast growth in prepubertal boys, experts report in The New England Journal of Medicine [Henley, D. The New England Journal of Medicine, Feb. 1, 2007; Vol. 356: pp. 479-485]. The effects faded when the boys stopped using the products , noted the researchers.

These cases involved three healthy prepubertal boys, and it is rare for prepubertal boys to develop breasts.

One of the boys was only 4-years-old. His mother had applied “healing balm” containing lavender oil to his skin shortly before the boy’s breasts developed and grew to about an inch in diameter. Another boy, aged 10, had been using daily a hair gel containing lavender and tea tree oils. The third boy, nearly 8, had been using soap and skin lotions scented with lavender. However, his fraternal twin who had also used the same products did not develop breasts.

This report raises an issue of concern, since lavender and tea tree are sold over the counter in their ‘pure’ form and are present in an increasing number of commercial products, such as shampoos, hair gels, soaps, and body lotions, write researchers Derek Henley and others. Dr. Henley works at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which is part of the National Institutes of Health in the United States.

Henley’s team conducted laboratory tests on human breast cells exposed to lavender and tea tree oils. The tests showed that lavender and tea tree may boost oestrogen and hamper the androgens. Henley and his colleagues do not mention specific products in their report, and they are not ruling out the possibility that the boys’ breast growth may have stemmed from other causes, as it is often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of gynaecomastia. However, they do conclude that repeated exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably was the cause. Whether these oils elicit similar endocrine-disrupting effects in prepubertal girls, adolescent girls, or women is unknown.    

Several contacted me about this report, but to date I can find no evidence to support, or refute, the findings. Nevertheless, can anyone tell me what substances might increase aromatization of androgens into oestrogens?

Meanwhile Dr. Maria Lis-Balchin, writing recently in the national press, comments that it’s easy to be misled on the efficacy and scientific proof regarding aromatherapy. Lis-Balchin is a respected scientific researcher, having published more than 100 papers on essential oils and aromatherapy in peer-reviewed journals and authored four books on the subject, but I am not sure if she is friend or foe.

She assures us that essential oils are not absorbed, as only very few components have been detected in microscopic amounts in the bloodstream. Furthermore, she maintains that there is no scientific proof that any essential oils benefit hypertension, infertility, PMS, the immune system, skin conditions, arteriosclerosis, etc. Whilst she concedes that some oils are effective antibacterial and antifungal agents, she asserts that the majority of studies have been done in vitro and not on people and the effective concentration would be much greater than that used in aromatherapy. However, having stated that essential oils don’t contain toxins and so could not leave any even if they were absorbed, she does a volte-face and suggests that some, such as tea tree, are toxic and can cause allergic dermatitis and paralysis in dogs and cats if rubbed into their backs. Frankly, I don’t know what to make of all this scientific research.

Researchers at NEC System Technologies and Mie University in Japan have designed a robot that can taste - an electromechanical sommelier able to identify dozens of different wines, cheeses and hors d’oeuvres. At the end of the robot’s left arm is an infrared spectrometer. When objects are placed up against the sensor, the robot fires off a beam of infrared light. The reflected light is then analyzed in real time to determine the object’s chemical make-up. Because it is analyzing the chemical composition of the wine or food placed before it, it can also alert its owner to possible health issues, gently warning against fatty or salty products.

However, of the thousands of wines on the market, the robot can be programmed to identify accurately only a few dozen at most. It also has more trouble with the task after the bottle has been opened and the wine begins to breathe and thus transform chemically. What is more, when a reporter’s hand was placed against the robot’s sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. A cameraman was mistaken for bacon!

Better news!
Having written about Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale L.) for several years, I was delighted to read in a recent copy of the Financial Times that this aromatic shrub that grows in boggy ground is destined to boost the economy of the Scottish Highlands. Boots has unveiled a range that uses oil of bog myrtle, which it says is four times more effective at killing acne than tea tree oil. Apparently, it is the first essential oil to be developed in the UK for more than 40 years.

A report by the Scottish Executive estimates that the plant’s cultivation could generate investment of £4.8m at farm level and create up to 460 jobs. Boots says the plant, which grows freely in the Highlands, could yield crofters and landowners £200 a hectare, compared with £17 a hectare for sheep farming. Good news indeed, if they can reduce the cost of the oil. Currently we source our oil from Canada, because the price here has been prohibitive.

Helpful hints.
Malodorous necrotic ulcers in cancer patients are of major concern as it leads to social isolation and poor quality of life. Current medications and topical therapies have proven inadequate in their ability to reduce foul smell to acceptable levels. However, researchers in Germany reported recently on the use of antibacterial essential oils in patients with incurable head and neck cancer and associated malodorous necrotic ulcers.

All patients received a standard course of therapy with oral or systemic antibiosis. In addition, the ulcers were rinsed with an antibacterial essential oil mix (mainly based on Eucalyptus oil) twice a day [CSW: I presume Eucalyptus globulus Labill.]. All patients experienced complete resolution of the foul smell by only the third or fourth day of therapy. As a secondary effect, the oils had anti-inflammatory effects on neoplastic ulcers. In some patients ulcers started to heal and achieved complete re-epitheliazation. The patients experienced great personal relief upon resolution of their malodorous conditions. Quality of life improved significantly with the resulting reintroduction of social contact with friends and relatives [Warnke, P.H. et al. Antibacterial oils in malodorous cancer patients: clinical observations in 30 patients. Phytomedicine (2006) 13(7), 463-467].

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) causes some of the most common viral infections in humans, such as mucocutaneous herpes infections, herpetic keratitis, herpetic encephalitis, and neonatal herpes. Following primary infection, the particles of HSV-1 are carried by retrograde transport via sensory nerve endings to the ganglia, where the virions remain in latent state until the development of reactivation by stimulation. It is conjectured that the recurrence of HSV-1 infection occurs by centrifugal spread of HSV-1 in axons from the ganglia, and by viral replication at the mucosal sites.

Acyclovir (ACV), a nucleoside analogue and selective anti-herpetic agent which has been widely used for therapy, inhibits the viral DNA replication through viral thymidine kinase, resulting in potent inhibition of viral DNA synthesis. However, ACV-resistant viruses have been increasingly isolated, particularly from immuno-compromised hosts, such as patients with AIDS or malignancy, neonates, and recipients of bone marrow or organ transplantation. Thus, novel and safe anti-herpetic agents are needed.

Also, ACV, although generally well tolerated, can produce occasional adverse effects such as skin rashes, fever, headaches, dizziness, and gastro-intestinal effects such as sickness and diarrhoea. Neurological effects including lethargy, somnolence, confusion, agitation, tremors, hallucinations, coma, psychosis, and convulsions have been reported in a small number of patients, particularly in those with predisposing factors such as renal dysfunction. Accelerated diffuse hair loss has also been reported.

It has been reported that essential oils show not only anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities but also antiviral activity. The antiviral activity of tea tree and eucalyptus oils against HSV-1 and -2 has been demonstrated in vitro [Schnitzler, P. et al. Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture. Pharmazie (2001) 56: 343-347], as has that of sandalwood oil (Santalum album L.) [Benencia, F. and Courreges, M.C. Antiviral activity of sandalwood oil against herpes simplex viruses -1 and -2. Phytomedicine (1999) 6: 119-123]. More recently, researchers examined the effects of 12 different essential oils on HSV-1 replication in vitro.

The essential oils used were cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.), juniper (Juniperus communis L.), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel), tropical basil (Ocimum basilicum album L.), peppermint (Mentha x piperita L. nothosubsp. piperitum), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), ravensara (Ravensara aromatica Sonnerat), spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia Medik), lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC. ex Nees) Stapf).

All the oils completely inhibited the growth of HSV-1 in vitro at a concentration of 1% except cypress, juniper and tropical basil. Lemongrass Citratus, however, completely inhibited growth at a concentration of 0.1%, about 80% at a concentration of 0.05%, and about 50% at a concentration of 0.005%.

The researchers concluded that lemongrass citratus oil may be the most effective essential oil against HSV-1 infection [Minami, M. et al. The Inhibitory Effect of Essential Oils on Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Replication In Vitro. Microbiol. Immunol. (2003) 47(9), 681-684].    

Aromatherapy Council under way.
At the Aromatherapy Council launch party in the House of Commons on 19th December last, David Tredinnick, M.P., started the evening off well with a warm speech congratulating the Aromatherapy Profession on its achievement and then introduced Dr. Hans Meier, Lay Chair of the new Council to say a few words.

Dr. Meier was delighted to declare the Council officially launched and thanked everyone who attended, acknowledging delegates from both within and outside the profession for their support.

Ian Brownhill, Programmes Director for the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health, in a short address, underlined the fact that aromatherapy is the first of the professions within their Regulation Programme to have achieved voluntary self-regulation.

To keep abreast of progress, contact the Council on 0870 7743477 or check out their website at www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk.

charles@essentiallyoils.com

previous     next