Good heavens, it’s that time of the month again! Where do the days go? In truth, I’m starting to lose track of the day of the week! Nevertheless, I did manage to get myself to the Derby Arms on Epsom Downs on the appointed day for lunch with my sister and a very old mutual friend and his wife. I can’t remember when I last drove a couple of hundred miles for lunch; probably 25 years ago when we lived in Australia. Neighbours were few and far between in Central Queensland, and it was not at all unusual to motor 150 miles (one way) for a ‘good feed and a few stubbies’ with friends. There, however, all we had to do on the return journey was follow the moonlit dirt track and watch out for any stray kangaroos, but, here, the rigours of the M25 and the culinary skills of the hostelry restricted me to a Coke and a light bite, and I was home in time for tea!

Am I ageing more quickly than others? I like to think not, but the shaving mirror rarely lies. Drat! Geoffrey, whom I had not seen since 1975, had aged not one jot! I have been using Argan ever since! However, it is always good to meet up with old friends and catch up on years of news. It still surprises me how people, men in particular, can pick up a relationship again so quickly. Geoff and I gabbled on as though a day had not passed since we last met. Much of the chat was in the vein of Have you seen...? How is...? etc., etc.

Having lived abroad for a fair chunk of the intervening period, I have lost contact with many former colleagues but still receive Christmas cards from a few. One in particular sends me every year an enigmatic message...Love Henry, Sarah & Fen. I attended their wedding yonks ago, but it is only in comparatively recent times that Fen has been added to the greeting. Not wishing to pry too deeply, I assumed that they had adopted a child late in life. Whoops! Geoff advised me that Fen is in fact a Border Terrier! Good Lord, what might people have thought if I had added Mung, Mick, Baby, Larry, Birdie, The [Terrapin] Twins, etc. to our seasonal greetings over the years!

No need to worry!
Following last month’s Newsletter, Patricia Hill wrote to reassure me about the prospect of Oxford-on-Sea. A graduate in Physical Geography, she advises me that climate change is certainly happening. It always has. The main reason, she tells me, is Milankovitch’s theorem on climate forcing.

Milankovitch cycles are the collective effect of changes in the Earth’s movements on its climate, named after Serbian civil engineer and mathematician Milutin Milankovic. Namely, the Earth’s orbit around the Sun varies every 100,000 years, as does its angle (every 41,000 years), and the planet also wobbles on its axis (every 23,000 years). Such changes alter the amount and location of solar radiation reaching the Earth. This is known as solar forcing. Changes near the north polar area are considered important due to the large amount of land, which reacts to such changes more quickly than the oceans do. However, not until the advent of deep-ocean cores and the seminal paper by Hays, Imbrie and Shackleton Variations in the Earth’s orbit: Pacemaker of the Ice Ages in Science, 1976, did the theory attain its current status.

Sea level change is also a factor, but has more to do with isostatic change than it does with the Earth’s eustatic sea change, Patricia explained. I reached for the dictionary! Eustasy is a change in sea level throughout the world caused by tectonic movements, melting of glaciers, etc., whereas isostasy is the equilibrium that exists between parts of the earth’s crust, so that they rise if material is removed and sink if it is deposited. Simply think of England sinking as Scotland’s highlands rise, suggests Patricia!

Furthermore, contrary to public belief, under 0.04 per cent of the air we breathe contains carbon dioxide...an increase of about 0.01 per cent in the last 100 years. In contrast, 70 per cent of the greenhouse effect is caused by water vapour...steam.

According to Patricia, man-made climate change is only half the story. She thinks that it is typical human arrogance to believe that in so few years we could make such an impact. We really are not that clever compared with Mother Nature. Therefore, I need not worry about an Oxford inundation just yet. Phew! That’s a relief!
      
Scleroderma.
I wondered if you had ever come across the condition scleroderma and any oils that might help with this condition, e-mailed Sarah Wright.

My mother suffers with scleroderma, her main problems are Raynaud’s symptoms, irritable bowel symptoms and itchy, dry lesions on her skin. She also gets very dry skin on her fingers and heels which can crack and become very painful. I have suggested she try Jojoba and Aloe Vera cream for the superficial lesions to which I will add some Roman Chamomile if the cream alone does not help with the itching. To prevent the cracking on her fingers and heels I am going to make up a cream with Cocoa Butter and Emulsifying Wax, etc., and will probably add something like Calendula infused oil with essential oils of Rosewood, Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile and Lavender and/or Myrrh.

I wondered if you or any of your readers had any experience of treating anyone with this condition and if there were any further suggestions as to how I could help her symptoms.

The term scleroderma has been used for both systemic sclerosis, a multisystem disease characterised by collagen proliferation and fibrosis throughout the body, and for localised fibrotic changes of the skin (morphea) without involvement of other organs. Systemic sclerosis is an uncommon disease which has been linked to various environmental toxins as well as to genetic factors. Vascular involvement produces Raynaud’s syndrome, which usually precedes any skin changes and there may be ulceration or ischaemic changes of the digits.

A long history of Raynaud’s syndrome before skin changes occur suggests a more indolent course (limited cutaneous disease) as opposed to the more aggressive diffuse cutaneous form. Skin oedema is followed by thickening and tightening of the skin of hands and face, and sometimes limbs and trunk, before progressing to atrophy and contractures. There may be decreased gastro-intestinal motility, dysphagia and gastro-oesophageal reflux, arthritis, muscle weakness, and cardiac involvement.

No treatment has been clearly demonstrated to affect the progression of the disease, and much management is essentially symptomatic.

However, the effects that catechin has on collagen suggest that this naturally occurring flavonoid (from black and pale catechu) might have therapeutic benefit in scleroderma,
as well as in other collagen diseases. Inflammation and collagen are linked in several ways. Pre-existing collagen is destroyed during the initial stages of inflammation, whereas its biosynthesis is increased in later stages. Catechin appears to be an ideal agent due to its ability to inhibit the breakdown of collagen caused either by free radicals or enzymes such as hyaluronidase, collagenase, and pepsin, coupled with its ability to cross-link with collagen fibres and inhibit pro-collagen biosynthesis [Blumenkrantz, N. & Asboe-Hansen, G. Effect of (+) catechin on connective tissue. Scand. J. Rheumatol. 1978; 7: 55-60].

Catechin was included in a long-term treatment programme of 115 patients with generalized scleroderma that brought about arrest of progression in 89% of the patients, and a subtotal or total recovery in more than 40% [Absoe-Hansen, G. Treatment of generalized scleroderma with inhibitors of collagen synthesis. Int. J. Derm. 1982; 21: 159-161]. Although a number of combinations of collagen inhibitors were used in the study, the combination of catechin with D-penicillamine and L-glutamine was the most effective. Unfortunately, catechin was not used alone. Also, although catechin was initially regarded as being remarkably free of side-effects, soon after its introduction in France, rare but serious side-effects began to be linked with catechin. Chief among the serious side-effects were autoimmune haemolysis, febrile reaction, and urticaria. Catechin must be used with extreme caution.

For the record, Black catechu is extracted with boiling water from the heartwood of Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd., a spiny, deciduous medium-size tree, native to India and Burma. Pale catechu, on the other hand, is extracted with boiling water from the leaves and twigs of Uncaria gambir (W. Hunter) Roxb., an evergreen woody vine, native to southeastern Asia. Black catechu contains 2-20% catechin, and pale catechu 30-35%. In traditional medicine, both catechus are used in stopping nosebleeding and in treating boils, sores, ulcers, etc.

Personally, I would probably try Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban), because the standardized extract of Gotu Kola has been tested in several trials in the treatment of this condition [Bletry, O. Comment on the treatment of scleroderma. Gazz. Med. Fr. 180; 87: 1989-1990]. In addition to decreasing skin induration, patients have noticed a lessening of arthralgia and improved finger motility. Presumably the positive therapeutic response is a result of gotu kola’s eutrophic effect on connective tissue, thereby preventing the excessive collagen synthesis observed in scleroderma.

I know of no essential oils specifically for this condition, but Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) and Spikenard (Nardostachys grandiflora DC.) have been suggested. Any other ideas?
    
Molluscum contagiosum.
I was approached today by a lady whose boy is suffering with Molluscum contagiosum. My initial reaction was to suggest that she use Tea Tree and Lavender oils neat on the infected areas, but I was wondering if you have come across a mixture for this treatment that was more adequate, enquired Kathrine Jensen.

I reached immediately for Aromadermatology by Janetta Bensouilah and Philippa Buck. This really is an excellent book and, in my opinion, no library should be without a copy.

Molluscum contagiosum is a common contagious viral disease primarily affecting children and young adults. Interestingly, in developed countries, it is particularly prevalent amongst school-aged children. It is caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a pox virus which only infects squamous epithelia [Gottleib, S.L. & Myskowski, P.L. Molluscum contagiosum. Int. J. Dermatol. 1994; 33: 453-61]. A mildly contagious type of wart that appears especially on the face, buttocks, and perineum as a small firm umbilicated papule with a smooth waxy surface, it generally disappears within 12 to 30 months. Typically, a child has between 10 and 20 lesions. Autoinnoculation is considered the main method of spread. As it is a self-limiting infection, the usual advice is to leave untreated and wait for spontaneous resolution. However, it is painful and irritating. Scratching spreads the lesions and can cause secondary infections, not to mention quite nasty pock-marks.

Orthodox treatment is limited to cryotherapy, electric cautery and some chemical agents applied locally. These speed up the resolution of the lesions. However, the risk of permanent scarring is increased following these methods.

Although there is little evidence for the use of essential oils in the specific treatment of warts, the chemical profiles of some essential oils suggest that they might assist, e.g., Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) J.F. Watson), Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel), Niaouli CT. Cineole (Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake), Sage Dalmatian (Salvia officinalis L.), Clove Bud (Zyzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry), Rosemary CT. Verbenone (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), etc.

Aromadermatology mentions that anecdotal reports suggesting Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora F. Muell.) is effective against molluscum contagiosum have been supported by a recent study in children where 10% (v/v) Lemon Myrtle was applied to individual lesions at bedtime [Burke, B.E., Baillie, J.E., Olson, R.D. Essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children. Biomed Pharmacother. 2004; 58: 245-7]. At the end of 21 days, nine of the 16 children treated showed a 90% reduction in the number of lesions compared to none of the 16 children who received treatment with only the carrier. Redness around the base of some of the lesions was the only adverse effect reported.

Citral is the main component in lemon myrtle (85%), but it was not established whether this was the active component responsible for molluscum contagiosum inhibition. Nevertheless, its use needs to be considered together with research demonstrating skin sensitization and cytotoxic activity caused by citral to human fibroblast cell lines when used at high levels. The authors concluded it should not be used topically at concentrations greater than 1%.

Looking back through my own notes, I came across a formulation suggested by Rhiannon Harris [Harris, R. Case study Molluscum contagiosum. Int. J. Aromatherapy. 2004; 14: 139-40]. Based on two previous successful cases with this same disease, she prepared the following formulation: Melissa (Melissa officinalis L.) 0.5ml; Ravensara (Cinnamomum camphora CT. 1,8-cineole) 2.0ml; Thyme (Thymus vulgaris CT. thymol) 0.5ml; Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia CT. 1,8-cineole, viridiflorol) 2.0ml. A total of 5ml essential oil.

Her choice of fixed oils was equally interesting: Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) 1ml; St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) 2ml; Rosehip Seed (Rosa rubiginosa L.) 2ml. A total of 5ml fixed oil.

This preparation was given to the child’s mother with instructions to use a cotton bud soaked in the formula to apply to each lesion at least three times per day until the lesions had cleared completely. She was also instructed to watch for signs of skin irritation and, if this happened, to dilute further the preparation by adding another 5ml of St. John’s Wort.

By the second day of application, the lesions had reduced in size by half and by day 5 all lesions were completely resolved. No skin irritation was observed during the treatment period.

A cautionary tale
I have a colleague and friend who two months ago unfortunately suffered from 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns on most of her back, bottom, and the rear of one leg. The 3rd degree burn area is approximately 5x5cm. Up until two days ago, she’d been going to her local hospital to have the burns cleaned with saline solution and the paraffin wax dressings changed. She became desperate and, as a result of her own impatience and the repeated recommendations of well-intentioned friends, she applied neat Lavender oil on the burns. As a result, bursting blisters appeared the next morning. She returned to the hospital to be told that she was back where she was 2 months ago. The doctors are intrigued and have asked her to return as usual today (for Cyprus that is amazing). One of our concerns is that the hospital staff will spread nothing but bad news about Lavender oil. Could you, please, please let me know what could have happened? e-mailed Daria Aquilina from Cyprus.

I’m dumbfounded! Why not seek advice from a professional first? Using essential oils neat, even lavender, on unbroken skin should not be contemplated lightly. Burns can range from mild erythema to destruction of the epidermis and dermis, and damage to underlying tissues. Surely, she must have appreciated the severity of her condition. Also, the chemical make-up of ‘lavender’ can vary considerably. What type of lavender was it?

A while ago, I analysed the oils of several lavenders from different locations on Cyprus. All were claimed to be from Lavandula angustifolia Mill. In fact, the oil of none resembled that of René-Maurice Gattefossé’s fabled burn remedy. They all contained high levels of camphor (15%+) and 1,8-cineole (20%+). Any theories?

A case for consideration.
Some years ago I was encouraged to support the efforts of a group of ladies in Brazil, who were struggling to promote and perform sustainable harvesting of endangered Rosewood trees (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke). The group, called AVIVE for its acronym in Portuguese (meaning “Green Life Association of Amazonia” in English), was founded in 1999 and is composed of forty-three women from the Silves district of the northern Amazonas state of Brazil. These ladies manufacture and sell soaps and products scented with rosewood oil and other natural aromas, while tending rosewood plantations for future sustainable use. Such practices aim to reduce both local poverty and improve survival of a species sadly depleted over the years, which raises an interesting question.  

We’ve heard that Aniba rosaeodora is not the tree on the endangered list. It is Dalbergia nigra, from which they make musical instruments, which is actually the endangered one. Is this correct? I was asked recently.

True, Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Allemao ex Benth is subject to regulations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), but Aniba rosaeodora  was added also to the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Species in 1997. Both are commonly known as Brazilian rosewood.

Bois de Rose Oil is steam distilled from the chipped wood of Aniba rosaeodora and, in perfumery, the term ‘Bois de Rose’ means only rosewood of this kind. The trade, however, uses the term ‘rosewood’ for a multitude of lumberwoods, e.g., Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa (Polynesian rosewood), Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (African rosewood), Ocotea cernua (Nees) Mez (Cayenne rosewood), Amyris balsamifera L. (West Indian rosewood), etc. Is this why many return from their travels bearing some odd-smelling rosewoods?!

According to the New York Times [Rohter, L. A quest to save a tree, and make the world smell sweet. August 30, 2005; International section: A4], manufacturers of perfumes began demanding huge amounts of Bois de Rose oil in the early 1900s, because the oil was notably used as a key ingredient of Chanel No.5. For several decades, industry exploitation generated severe deforestation of rosewood trees.

In more recent times, ecological awareness and the introduction of synthetic linalool (a major chemical component of rosewood oil) have doubtless reduced demand for natural rosewood oil, but the linalool from rosewood is irreplaceable for perfumery, at least with respect to the efforts of some market leaders like Chanel No.5 to maintain the original formula. What gives rosewood oil its unequalled aroma is the unique combination of the percentages of (+) and (-) linalool isomers, which are difficult to obtain via commercial synthesis or from alternative plant sources. Therefore, in terms of plant conservation, major commercial users need to use the synthetic and alternative natural sources, while those that for whatever reason still must use the original essential oil must invest in sustainable management of existing rosewood trees as well as reforestation of new trees.

Scientists, however, have noted that an oil rich in linalool can be obtained from the stems and leaves of rosewood trees and, therefore, rosewood oil could be produced without destroying whole trees [May, P., Barata, L. Rosewood exploitation in the Brazilian Amazon: options  for sustainable production. Economic Botany. 2004; 58(2): 257-265]. AVIVE plans to use such methods in the production of its rosewood-scented products and has planted a couple of thousand young rosewoods, but the the plants have not yet matured enough. In the meantime, AVIVE has been using rosewood oil donated by IBAMA, the government’s environmental enforcement agency. Such oil was confiscated from an illegal distillation unit.

According to David Hircock of Aveda, consumers and companies need to protect groups like AVIVE because we will not have these plants around unless we look after the collectors, who in turn will look after the environment if they get a fair return. On the other hand, as Chrissie Wildwood points out, whilst it’s good that the AVIVE ladies have a market for their products as they need the income, would it not be better to wait until a sustainable version of the oil is a reality? She stresses that any exploitation or destruction of ancient rain forest trees, either legally or illegally, for commercial ends should be opposed. She believes that the genetic diversity of the species must have [already] weakened due to aggressive harvesting of trees from the Amazon Basin.

Moreover, she has no evidence that there is true ethnobotanical history of rosewood oil distillation by indigenous peoples. Distillation technology was only introduced by modern industries. A fair point, and several other countries are going a similar route.

My main concern is who actually gets the money, the grower, the cutter, or the distiller? The AVIVE ladies stand a fair chance of reaping some reward for their efforts, but it seems that the cutters don’t come from Silves. They come from other Brazilian states in the south with the idea to become rich.  This is normal for Amazonia, said Barbara Schmal, a leader of AVIVE. From my experience, it’s pretty normal elsewhere as well, and that’s the problem! What do you think?

Indian Head Massage Aromatherapy Style.
Traditionally known as champissage, Indian Head Massage (IHM) originated about 4,000 years ago. An integral part of family life, IHM was practised on everyone from week old babies to the very old. Originally IHM used mustard and sesame seed oils, as these are readily available in India and beneficial for skin and hair. Barbers and masseurs still use a modern variant of IHM.

Several different techniques of IHM developed, such as shirodhara, which involves slowly dripping oil onto the third eye area on the foreheads of clients while they are lying down. This technique is often used in Ayurvedic treatments. Although very relaxing and balancing for the unconscious and conscious minds, shirodhara has not proved as popular in the modern world as champissage, probably because it is quite messy!

The most popular contemporary technique of champissage was devised by Narendra Mehta. Blind from the age of one, Mehta consequently developed a very sensitive touch. He applied massage strokes on the upper back, neck, arms, shoulders, scalp and face using an oil-free technique, so the massage could be performed without removing any clothing. Some of the massage strokes work along the meridians to facilitate the flow of chi.

IHM Aromatherapy Style (IHMAS) is an adaptation of Mehta’s technique into a massage that uses base oil and essential oils for added relaxation and health benefits.

IHM is performed with the client sitting in a chair, feet resting on a footrest and a pillow supporting the lower back if needed. Another pillow can be held in the lap to support the arms, which can be moved to support the client’s head during face massage. In IHMAS the client removes clothing from the upper body and has a towel wrapped around the torso from just above the breasts. The aromatherapist stands and works behind and to either side of the client. The aromatherapist should ask the client about using oil on the head; although this is traditional and recommended as being beneficial for both scalp and hair, the client may not wish to walk about with oily hair.

There are several benefits of IHMAS. The massage takes between 15 and 20 minutes, so can be done in a lunch-hour or similar short break. Only the upper body is worked on, so the massage is particularly suitable for those with painful periods, digestion problems, late pregnancy and varicose veins where full body massage might be uncomfortable. All the usual benefits of aromatherapy massage are experienced in the upper body, and a general relaxation and sense of well-being are experienced overall. IHM is reputed to be particularly effective for relieving stress.

Contraindications are the same as full body massage and include: contagious or acute infectious diseases (client AND therapist), undiagnosed lumps or swellings, internal bleeding, major skin conditions and acute undiagnosed pain. Caution is required during the first three months of pregnancy, and with bruises, arthritis, and minor skin conditions affecting the part of the body being worked on, etc.      

Gill Farrer-Halls, who generously wrote the above for me, tells me that IHMAS is very popular in Japan. She thinks that it could do well here too, and so do I! All I have to do is persuade her to do a 1 day CPD course for us!


charles@essentiallyoils.com

previous     next