Thyme and Cinnamon Essential Oils May Be Effective Alternative to Antibiotics

"Essential oils could be a cheap and effective alternative to antibiotics and potentially used to combat drug-resistant hospital superbugs," according to the article "Essential Oils to Fight Superbugs" on the ScienceDaily website.

The research for this study was led by Professor Yiannis Samaras and Dr. Effimia Eriotou from the Technological Educational Institute of Ionian Islands, in Greece, and presented at the Society for General Microbiology's spring meeting in Edinburg. Samaras and Eriotou tested the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from eight plants, from which they found thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil to be the most effective; thyme essential oils "was able to almost completely eliminate bacteria within 60 minutes."

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) essential oil was also found to be effective, and both cinnamon and thyme essential oil "were found to be particularly efficient antibacterial agents against a range of Staphylococcus species. Strains of these bacteria are common inhabitants of the skin and some may cause infection in immunocompromised individuals."

"The Greek team," according to ScienceDaily, "believes essential oils could have diverse medicinal and industrial applications. 'The oils--or their active ingredients--could be easily incorporated into antimicrobial creams or gels for external application. In the food industry the impregnation of food packaging with essential oils has already been successfully trialed. They could also be included in food stuffs to replace synthetic chemicals that act as preservatives,' they said."

To read the full-length article on the ScienceDaily website, go to: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100330210942.htm

*This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, heal, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.

Essential Oil for St. Patrick's Day: Peppermint

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. If you're looking for an essential oil to use reminiscent of the spirit of St. Patrick's, give peppermint Mentha piperita a try.

Peppermint essential oil, also called balm mint or brandy mint, has a fresh, somewhat minty and strong smell. It is considered an adaptogenic oil, and although peppermint is not traditionally used in perfumery, the aroma is known to "give a lift" when inhaled.

The main constituent of peppermint oil produced in the United States is the alcohol, l-menthol (42.8%). Menthol is responsible for the cooling taste of peppermint, which is why peppermint is used extensively in commercial products, such as cough drops.

Before applying peppermint oil directly to skin, a skin patch test is recommended. You can also diffuse peppermint essential oil directly into the air for inhalation by using a terracotta light ring or a variety of diffusers.

Here's a recipe for a peppermint-based migraine rub (just in case!):

• Chamomile Anthemis nobilis oil: 5-drops
• Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globules oil: 5-drops
• Lemon Citrus limonum oil: 5-drops
• Peppermint Mentha piperita oil: 5-drops
• Base oil: 2-T
• Blend the oils and apply to shoulders, neck, and temples
  

Other "green" essential oils you might enjoy for St. Patrick's Day include: Eucalyptus, lime, basil, and bay.

>> For more information about the History of Aromatherapy, download a free lecture from the Apothecary Shoppe.

*Note, this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, or prescribe. You should always check with your primary care physician.

Researchers Indentify 6 Essential Oils for Inflammation

A new study in the January edition of the Journal of Lipid Research reported that researches have found six essential oils, including thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel, and bergamot, that may help suppress the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme like resveratrol, the "chemical linked with the health benefits of red wine."

According to the website The Medical News, these findings "provide more understanding of the health benefits of many botanical oils and provide a new avenue for anti-inflammatory drugs."

Of the commercial essential oils tested, the researchers were able to identify six (thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel, and bergamot) that "reduced COX-2 expression in cells by at least 25%." Of these, thyme oil proved the most effective and reduced expression levels by about 75%.

>> For therapeutic grade essential oils, visit the Apothecary Shoppe here. To learn more about aromatherapy and the use of essential oils, visit the American College of Healthcare Sciences here.

>> Read the full-length Medical News article here, with a link to the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

NAHA Now Offers Mini Marketing Tips for Aromatherapy Professionals

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy e-news now features a mini-marketing tips section written by Kayla Fioravanti, RA (who also is responsible for the blog Essential U). If you don't yet follow NAHA, now's the time. This is a very practical article for aromatherapy students and professionals, as well as holistic health professionals who adjunct aromatherapy with the primary practice.

In this first edition of NAHA Mini-Marketing Tips Kayla suggests "Determine Your Best Sellers-Cut the Dead Ends." She recommends focusing "on the top 20% of your products and services that bring in 80% of your sales. Phase out the rest unless they are support products for your top sales items. On a spreadsheet list every single product and service and put the total dollars sold next to each item. Sort them from highest to lowest and then determine which products make up the top 80% of total sales. You will find that they will be your top 20% of products or services. That means in almost every business, that 80% of your inventory is only doing 20% of your sales. But you are spending most of our money keeping those 80% of products or services available for that customer that uses them once a year."

>> To read more from the NAHA blog, click here: http://worldofaromatherapy.blogspot.com/

Essential Oil of Vitex May Help with Symptoms of PMS and Menopause

ACHS President Dorene Petersen harvests vitex berries for essential oil distillation in the American College of Healthcare Sciences Botanical Teaching Garden on February 17, 2010

Vitex Vitex agnus-castus, also called chaste tree and monk's pepper, is from the family Verbenaceae. A perennial, deciduous shrub, vitex grows to about 6-18 feet high and can spread to about 15 feet. The leaves are dark green, the flowers are small and lilac, and the berries are red-black with a spicy, aromatic flavor and aroma.

Historically, vitex is said to have been chewed by monks to help preserve their celibacy. There are also reports mentioning its use in Greek rituals, as well as the practice of carrying twigs for protection against dangers and to signify chastity.

Vitex essential oil is a pale to dark-yellow color and has a strong aroma, but is not traditionally used in perfumery. The fruit, or berries, are used to produce the oil, which includes the active constituents limonene, 1,8-cineol, pinene, carophyllene, and sabinene.

Therapeutically, vitex essential oil is thought to have hormonal effects, such as support for the relief of common menopausal symptoms[1] and PMS[2], and may have antibacterial and antifungal effects.

>> To learn more about the medicinal benefits of vitex, check out this free education video from the American College of Healthcare Sciences with College President Dorene Petersen: http://www.youtube.com/achstv#p/u/1/V0Mpmgm2sbU

Sign up to follow ACHS on YouTube, ACHStv, to receive automatic updates the moment new videos are posted: http://www.youtube.com/achstv

>> For your vitex essential oil, stop by the Apothecary Shoppe: www.apothecary-shoppe.com

[1] Lucks, B. 2003. Vitex agnus castus essential oil and menopausal balance: a research update. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery Vol 9, Issue 3 148-154.
[2] 2009. The premenstrual syndrome: effectiveness of Vitex agnus castus. Med Monatsschr Pharm. May; 32(5): 186-91.

Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) is Looking for Presenters

The Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) is looking for qualified aromatherapists who want to present at a future AIA event and/or teleconference.

If you would like to present, or know someone who may be interested in giving a presentation or leading a workshop for AIA, you can download an application here: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/presenter_opportunities.htm

Length and topics of consideration are yet to be determined. To email your application, download the form, and then click the Submit by Email button located on the top right. Or, you can save the form and email it to info@alliance-aromatherapists.org. To mail the form, use the address printed on the form, and to fax, send to (303) 979-7135.

For more information, contact AIA at: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/

Aromatherapy Insight Cards: A Practical Tool for Everyday Health

Have you tried these Aromatherapy Insight Cards before? If not, you may want to. Not only do these cards and accompanying text provide great background information about essential oils, they also provide an interactive, hands-on tool to start incorporating essential oils into your everyday health and wellness routine.

As the book jacket outlines, "we need to rebalance our lives and regain all that we are searching for. [...] The Aromatherapy Insight Cards are a practical tool to help you tap into your intuition, develop your emotional awareness, and increase your knowledge base as you learn the subtle uses for aromatherapy."

For more information on this text by Jennifer Jefferies, ND, check it out on the Apothecary Shoppe website: http://www.apothecary-shoppe.com/product_info.php?cPath=4_24&products_id=1164

Here's the oil we selected for today, Tuesday, February 9, 2010: Cinnamon, Cinnamomum seylanicum. According to the text, cinnamon is a tool to help you "regain that passion for life." It has the physical benefit of "a valuable antiseptic and it warms, giving relief to arthritic aches and pains. It also alleviates coughs and colds, nervous tension and exhaustion."

Jefferies, Jennifer ND. Aromatherapy Insight Cards. Living Energy: Australia. 2005.

Clearing Clutter for Holsitic Health Featured on NAHA Aromatherapy Blog

"Clearing Clutter for Holistic Health," originally featured in the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) January newsletter, is now available on the NAHA blog as an E-News Going Green article as well.

Here are a few of the aromatherapy tips featured in the article by ACHS President Dorene Petersen:

1. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil has been shown to repel mice, so put cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in areas where you suspect a mouse problem. (Avoid placing the cotton balls in areas that are accessible to children and pets).

2. Check your oils. While some oils like Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) will last for years if stored correctly, others (like the citrus oils) will begin to oxidize after a few months. (It is best to store your citrus essential oils in the fridge.) If you've taken the time to train your olfactory memory, you may be able to discern when your oils are past their best. No need to throw them out: Use them to clean the house! (But avoid skin contact as oxidized citrus essential oils can cause irritation.) And don't use them to wash the dog: Fido's skin is sensitive too!

3. Aromatherapy baths are an effective relaxation activity, and also a great reward for accomplishing a goal. To create a soothing aromatherapeutic bath, try a blend of Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and Rose (Rosa damascena).

To read the full-length article, including tips for clearing clutter and promoting optimum health, check out the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy blog here: http://worldofaromatherapy.blogspot.com/

Medicinal Properties of Bay Essential Oil and Liniment Recipe

Bay essential oil, Laurus nobilis, has a long and interesting history. It was known as Daphne to the Greeks because the nymph Daphne escaped the attentions of Apollo by being transformed into a bay tree. Heartbroken, Apollo, the God of Music and Poetry, took the tree as his emblem, hence the term "poet laureate" and "to gain one's laurels."

In addition, the Romans believed bay warded off both evil and infectious disease, and to this day in Europe you can still see bay leaf garlands hanging on doors.

Today, bay is used as a flavoring in foods, and is effective to combat infectious bacteria when used in a vaporizer. In perfumery, bay is sweet, pleasant, and slightly spicy, and blends well with bergamot, black pepper, clary sage, cypress, juniper, lavender, neroli, and rosemary, to name a few.

Medicinally, bay is attributed with antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, diaphoretic, digestant, and sedative properties.

Recommended Daily Dose:
Three times daily unless otherwise stated. Use for a maximum of two weeks, then take three weeks off to avoid accumulative toxicity. In adults, use 2 drops, three times a day. Externally, use up to 5 drops in a bath.

Liniment Blend:
30 drops bay essential oil
15 drops nutmeg oil
9 drops black pepper oil
1 cup peanut oil

Blend all oils together. Peanut oil can be replaced with another vegetable oil, such as sweet almond or grapeseed. However, peanut oil is preferred as it has a traditional reputation for effectively reducing the pain of arthritis and rheumatism.

Blend all oils together. Pour into a dark glass bottle and label. Massage directly into painful areas. Store in a cool place and use within 6 months.

Oregano essential oil featured in Well Being Journal for antiseptic properties

Common oregano, Origanum vulgare, "has long been used as a remedy for digestive, respiratory and rheumatic problems and as a treatment for stings and bites," according to the article "Natural Solutions to Drug-Resistant Infections," which appeared in the September/October 2009 edition of Well Being Journal.

Author CJ Puotinen provides a detailed list of recommended uses for Origanum vulgare based on the text The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Oregano for Better Health by Cass Ingram, who recommends both the dried herb and essential oil for: allergies, asthma, cold sores, colds, congestion, fatigue, flu, gastritis, parasites, tooth and gum infections, ulcers, and urinary infections, to name a few.

Regarding suggested use, Puotinen says Origanum vulgare can be made into a "water-based antiseptic solution." It can also be grow and dried for use in capsules or made into a tincture.

>> If you want to learn more about the use of essential oils to help support your body's optimal function, click here

>> To purchase therapeutic grade Origanum vulgare essential oil, visit the Apothecary Shoppe

The antiviral activity of essential oils

BY Arianna Staruch, ND, ACHS Academic Dean

A recent study looked at preparing a nasal spray from the essential oil of bupleurum root (Radix bupleuri) and tested it in animals for effectiveness. It did show promise as a fever reducer. However, many essential oils can be irritating to mucus membranes and should not be used undiluted or without first doing a skin patch test.

So how can you use essential oil in your everyday life to help reduce to risk of viral infection? Essential oils can be used in the home as antiviral cleaning products. A diffuser with any of the oils listed above, such as eucalyptus, lemon balm, or peppermint, may reduce the airborne viruses in a room. In addition, essential oils may be added to hand creams to help reduce the spread of viruses by contact. Of course, these should be used in addition to the common sense CDC recommendations to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with your arm when you sneeze, and to stay home if you are sick. (You should see your primary care provider for a proper diagnosis if you think you may have the seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu, and follow their recommendations.) This fall may be a challenging time because there is the potential for many people to be sick with the flu at the same time, but we can use natural support options, such as essential oils, to keep us healthy.

>> Click here to read the full-length article about using essential oils to reduce the risk of viral infection

References
1. Astani, A., Reichling, J., and Schnitzler, P. Comparative study on the antiviral activity of selected monoterpenes derived from essential oils. Phytother Res. 2009 Aug 3.
2. Reichling, J., Koch, C., Stahl-Biskup, E., Sojka, C., and Schnitzler, P.
Virucidal activity of a beta-triketone-rich essential oil of Leptospermum scoparium (manuka oil) against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in cell culture. Planta Med. 2005 Dec;71(12):1123-7.
3. Schnitzler, P., Schuhmacher, A., Astani, A., and Reichling, J. Melissa officinalis oil affects infectivity of enveloped herpesviruses. Phytomedicine. 2008 Sep;15(9):734-40.
4. Hayashi, K., Kamiya, M., Hayashi, T. Virucidal effects of the steam distillate from Houttuynia cordata and its components on HSV-1, influenza virus, and HIV. Planta Med. 1995 Jun;61(3):237-41.
5. Xie, Y., Lu, W., Cao, S., Jiang, X., Yin, M., and Tang, W. Preparation of bupleurum nasal spray and evaluation on its safety and efficacy. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2006 Jan;54(1):48-53.

>> For information about organic essential oils, click here

>> To learn more about aromatherapy classes, click here

Aromatic Journey in the Eastern Mediterranean

BY Dorene Petersen, ACHS President

Chios's aromatic mastic gum oozes silently and slowly from the wounds cut into the Mastic tree trunk and forms droplets. Diamond-like droplets fall to the ground and collect beneath the tree. Sparkling with a clear brilliance when the sun hits them, they lie on the ground protected from the soil and debris by a layer of white clay tamped down and flattened to form a table-like surface until they harden and are gathered. The white clay placed under the tree keeps it clean and transparent and is called a trapezi or table. One-thousand tons of kaolin is used per year on Chios to make the white tables under the mastic trees.

My husband Robert Seidel from The Essential Oil Company and I have sailed to the eastern Mediterranean beating into the meltemi wind howling from the northwest to visit the Greek island of Chios. We are on a mission to learn as much as we can about the Chios mastic tree and understand how the now European Union-protected Chios mastic gum is harvested. We have had the great fortune to meet two experts, John Perikos, author of many books including The Chios Gum Mastic, and Vassilis Ballas, who along with his wife Roula moved to Chios from Athens to become a mastic farmer and to provide ecotours of the mastic fields amongst other fascinating things. They have established a company called "masticculture".

John and Vassilis kindly spend time with us and share the mastic gum process and their vast knowledge, much of which is handed down verbally. Vassilis drives us around the island sharing all the secret fascinating places, which are tourist destinations, but so strangely signposted we miss them when driving ourselves. Vassilis takes us out into the mastic fields so we can experience the aromatic trees and the gathering process first hand.

Mastic gum must coagulate before it is collected. There are two major collection dates. One starts around August 15th and the other September 15th. The area under the tree is swept with a regular broom and the entire collection is picked up and put in a sack. The sacks are taken back to the village (originally by donkey, but now in a strange-looking vehicle that resembles a lawn mower on wheels with a truck-bed addition in the rear). They say you can tell a mastic grower by the vehicle and we see a determined old lady, her head wrapped tightly in a white scarf, driving a bunch of what could have been her grandkids through the town of Prygi, one of the quaint medieval mastic villages in one of these converted lawn mowers. The sacks of mastic harvest contain lots of soil and debris, as well as the gum, and they sit until October or November when the mastic gum cleaning process begins. The sacks are emptied into half barrels full of water. The leaves float and are collected with a sieve and put aside. The remaining material is left in the water for three days. Calcium carbonate is added to the water changing the density and the mastic gum floats to the surface. The mastic is skimmed off and sorted. Gum must be refrigerated if it is stored before being delivered to the cooperative, which is in Chios town.

The Cooperative sorts the mastic again. This time women clad in pretty pale-blue smocks with matching hair coverings, and all wearing latex gloves, sit around a large table covered in mastic tears and with speed and dexterity using a small sharp pointed knife blade they cut away impurities and they "pick" through the gum, sorting it by size and color. Here also is a computer which analyzes quality by passing it through a light box that checks the color clarity and can also give an average size for payment. All mastic gum gathered must be sold to the Cooperative. The Cooperative was started in 1938. Mastic producers must sell to the cooperative and even if they want to make their own product they must sell the gum and then buy it back. The Cooperative has stabilized prices and has done a lot to promote Mastic gum with exports of Chios Gum mastic increasing considerable over the years since it was formed. The new chain of Gum Mastica boutiques one of which recently opened in New York is the brainchild of the commercial division of the Cooperative. [...]

You may wonder why mastic produces this wonderful therapeutic gum. The mastic is said to be in the tree to protect it. Vasillis says, "You can take the same tree and plant it in Sweden and it will not produce mastic". The mastic gum from Chios has been granted protection by the European Union with designations such as PDO - Protected Designation of Origin; PGI- Protected Geographical Indication and TSG Traditional Specialty Guaranteed. Only the Chios gum mastic has these designations.

>> To learn more about mastic and download mastic recipes and formulas, click here. Or, go to www.achs.edu and click on News and Events.

Going Green: E-tips for Aromatherapy Awareness

By Kayla Fioravanti, Registered Aromatherapist
Back to School with Aromatherapy

Every school year I add another essential oil to my arsenal of therapies I use to deal with the "sickies and ickies" that the kids pick up at school. My kids are totally healthy all summer long but once they hit the classroom it seems the germs accumulate overnight. With aromatherapy we encounter less and less sick days as the years go on. There are several lines of defense that a mother can take. It takes a combination of being proactive and reactive to get through a school year successfully.

Back to school haircuts is the first indicator that it is time to add Tea Tree essential oil to the kids shampoo for lice prevention, because prevention is the best medicine for lice. My family has witnessed a lot of head lice outbreaks, but we have avoided being involved by adding just 1-2 drops of Tea Tree essential oil per ounce of shampoo and conditioner. In addition, whenever there is an outbreak at school I always make sure to apply Tea Tree through their hair. I simply get a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil onto my finger tips and run my hands through their hair from root to tip. [...]

Avoiding illness is critical for our children because they suffer from asthma. Any respiratory ailment sends their asthma into overdrive. Treating the air in our car and home for their asthma relief has become common place in our household. I developed the essential oil blend Breathe Green using Sweet Basil, Rosemary, Laurel leaf, Peppermint, Ginger, Eucalyptus, Ravensara and Lemon to respond to their immune and respiratory needs. A few days after I first blended Breathe Green I dispersed it into the car and successfully averted an Emergency Room trip. That was my first indicator that I was onto something with the Breathe Green blend. Last school year we used it in combination with asthma medications to successfully avoid respiratory infections, urgent care and emergency trips which had been the norm in the past.

On the first day of school I always carry a bottle of lavender with me to school. Everyone knows me as the aromatherapy lady so no one questions my lavender scented hand coming to touch the head of their teary anxiety ridden child. A simple method of helping moms and kids who are struggling with separation anxiety is to hand them a tissue with subtle scents of Lavender transferred from your fingers. It works every time not only does the Lavender calm the child but the interruption of the crisis helps to dissipate anxiety.

>> Want more information about aromatherapy? Check out our Introduction to Aromatherapy classes

>> Read Kayla's full-length article on the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy blog

Natural PerfumeMaking with Essential Oils

BY Dorene Petersen, ACHS President

Looking for a natural perfume? A fragrance that does not contain a collection of synthetic chemicals, which place a burden on your liver and other detoxifying organs. Wander through any perfume counter at the local department store and your olfactory system is bombarded with aromas. Some have names you recognize like gardenia, jasmine, or even rose. But, if you take a closer look at these perfume formulas, it is unlikely you will find anything resembling plant-sourced material even though they may use the term “natural” or “nature identical.” Don’t be fooled. These terms do not mean the perfume was blended from essential oils or absolutes, which are all distilled, expressed, or dissolved from plant leaves, flowers, stems, roots, or seeds in a solvent base.

Unlike perfumes made from plant-based materials, most perfume counter perfumes are made from a combination of synthetic chemicals, derived from petroleum. These ingredients allow perfumers to create an array of fragrances that are either unavailable or difficult to obtain in nature. Of course they are less expensive, too.

However, there is growing public awareness about the relationship between synthetic ingredients—potential toxins—and health challenges. To maintain optimal health, natural perfume blending is a healthy green alternative. These perfumes are made from high-quality essential oils, which are known to have therapeutic health benefits and are truly natural. In this context, the term “natural” refers to plant-sourced perfumes. The plants are grown or wildcrafted naturally and, preferably, grown organically (without synthetic pesticides) and sustainably whenever possible.

>>To read the full-length article and more articles from the Aromatherapy Registration Council newsletter, CLICK HERE

>> To learn more about natural products manufacturing and aromatherapy, check out the American College website

United Aromatherapy Effort to Expand Focus of Disaster Relief to Military

Founder and Director of the United Aromatherapy Effort, Inc. Sylla Sheppard-Hanger is spearheading a new campaign to refocus the energies of the UAE to include our military personnel who are currently at war, serving overseas and here in America.

The United Aromatherapy Effort would like to see all military personnel and their families receive emotional and physical support through aromatherapy, massage, and other modalities. Sheppard-Hanger is looking to "go big" and partner the UAE with the United Service Organizations (USO). The goal is to provide our troops with comforts of home away from home.

This UAE and USO partnership could involve teams or individuals that offer seated massage, aromatherapy, and other services in Veterans Hospitals, Military Centers, or Family Support Centers. The USO makes uso2go kits and the UAE is looking at putting something together with a couple of blends for stress, fatigue, focus, etc.

The UAE needs your ideas and input to establish what items might be most viable for such a kit. To contact the UAE, email Sylla Sheppard-Hanger at sylla@tampabay.rr.com or unitedaromatherapy@gmail.com.

AHPA Adopts Trade Requirement on Labeling of Undiluted Essential Oils

The American Herbal Products Association's (AHPA) Board of Trustees recently adopted a trade requirement to support the safe-use and proper-identification of undiluted essential oils used topically and offered for retail sale.

The trade requirement, which AHPA members must come into compliance with by Jan. 9, 2010, requires that undiluted essential oils offered for retail sale and intended for topical use include all of the following information or statements on package labels:

• "Keep out of reach of children" or significantly similar cautionary language
• "External Use Only," "Not for Internal Use," "Not for Ingestion" or significantly similar cautionary language
• "Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes" or significantly similar cautionary language
• The Latin name of the plant from which the essential oil is derived
• Identification of the plant part from which the essential oil is derived

Developed by a working group of AHPA's Botanical Personal Care Products Committee, composed of both AHPA member companies and non-member companies involved in the trade of essential oils, the trade requirement is intended to help educate industry and promote the responsible sale and use of undiluted essential oils intended for topical use and sold at retail. The labeling requirement does not address synthetic fragrances, which are not, in fact, essential oils.

All of AHPA's trade requirements and guidance policies are available on AHPA's Web site.

International Fragrance Association wants to ban melissa, rose, oak moss, and bergamot

By Rhavda Cooper Emison

Today in the aromatherapy community we have a "call to arms" in facing another challenge with the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) due to the IFRA imposing more and more unfair, ungrounded regulations worldwide on what can and cannot be used in the perfume/fragrance world. Melissa, Rose, Oak Moss, and Bergamot are just a few of the essential oils that the IFRA wants to remove from our use in not only the perfume/fragrance industry but also in the aromatherapy world.

The IFRA is continuously and quickly taking away our rights and freedoms in choosing what natural products are best for us to use in our businesses. The loss of our rights and freedoms impacts all of us. Whatever IFRA's true agenda for removing our choices to grow, manufacture, and buy natural products is yet to be fully seen but the main causes are suspected to be power, money, and greed. IFRA is placing its interests above the interests of the community that it is supposed to protect.

According to Tony Burfield of CropWatch and Safety Advisor to NAHA, he used to support the IFRA until the time of the 40th Amendment. At that point, Tony believed that the IFRA started to put the interests of its composite career toxicologists over and above its function of a balanced safety policy-making unit for the fragrance industry based on the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials' (RIFM) research. The other point is that IFRA's large budget allows it to carry out a certain amount of research on essential oil toxicology and their findings and policies greatly influence safety legislators and officials throughout the world. Unfortunately there is no similarly-financed independent organization able to monitor or carry out counter-research where needed.

I have been involved with aromatherapy (AT) for over 25 years. I have seen many things come and go but I have been surprised by the tenacity and staying power of the IFRA with their current agenda. I expected them to go away after a while and leave the natural products/fragrance world alone but they haven't. Melissa (Melissa officinalis) essential oil is their latest victim on their "hit list" of essential oils to destroy.

Effect on the Entire Aromatherapy Community

In my opinion, the IFRA is smart in that they are going after the perfume/fragrance community first. This community has the most to lose from the ban on using certain essential oils (eos) along with other natural products. For this article, I will be in reference to only a few of the essential oils on the IFRA's "hit list" such as Rose, Melissa, Oak Moss, Bergamot, etc. By going after the community that has the most to lose, the IFRA will cause the biggest and harshest impact. With the removal of certain essential oils that have been used safely for centuries in the perfume/fragrance industry, the IFRA will cause it's biggest ripple effect in the supply chain yet. This ripple effect will trickle down to you and me when certain essential oils become unavailable for us to use in our AT businesses. If the perfume/fragrance industry decides to comply and bow down to the IFRA, then the IFRA will have successfully killed the perfumery/fragrance industry as we know it today. This, in turn, will create a vacuum in the demand for certain essential oils. Growers will quit growing certain herbs and flowers for the manufacturers to manufacture into essential oils and the suppliers then will be unable to purchase the essential oils for resale to the perfume/fragrance industry. That in turn, can put us all out of business, folks. No products, no industry. No money. You will have to find another job to earn your living. I, for one, don't want to do this. I have been an aromatherapist for too many years now to want to change professions. What about you? Are you willing to be forced into changing professions? I hope not.

What We Can Do

What can we do about this? Become pro-active. Support Tony Burfield and CropWatch, which monitor IFRA continuously. Write your congressman and senator. Tell them how you feel about the possibility of an EU organization putting you out of a job. Don't sit on your laurels and wait for someone else to do something. Become pro-active NOW and before it is too late. Take Action. Research. Read. This is your business. Do you want to LOSE IT? I think NOT! I am already Pro-Active but I am only one person. Come and join me in saving our Aromatherapy community. I can't do this alone and neither can NAHA nor any other aromatherapy organization. It will take all of us joining together to make a difference.

To learn more about the original announcement on the Unfair Treatment of Melissa Oil visit www.cropwatch.org. To learn more about Tony Burfield, click here.

Cropwatch Disclaimer
Cropwatch has presented information and formed opinions from what has been believed to be current and reliable sources. The data is supplied without warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the potential use of any materials described in these opinions. It is the users responsibility to determine the safe conditions for use of these materials, and to assume liability for loss, injury, damage of expense arising from their improper use.

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Essential oils for pain relief

By Shellie Enteen, BA, LMT

Working with essential oils requires an understanding of the physiological properties, methods of delivery, safety issues such as skin sensitization and contraindication, as well as the "subtle" aspect which includes the effect on the mind, emotions and spirit. Once again, I invite and encourage those readers who have not seen my earlier columns to search the archives for basic information on methods and safe use of essential oils and a discussion of subtle aromatherapy.

When it comes to pain relief, aromatherapy recognizes that there are different ways to approach. For example, there are specific essential oils recommended for headache pain if the headache is caused by stress, by overindulging, by withheld anger, and so on. In the same way, muscle or joint pain could require nerve sedation, warming through increased circulation, removing inflammation and/or toxins, or a combination of these and other aspects.

Massage therapists should be well-equipped to determine the physical cause and description of the client's pain, which makes selecting the right essence easy if you know its physiological properties.

Understanding the mental and emotional state of the client in regard to the pain or in their current life experience will add the ability to select essences based on the subtle properties. For example, a pain blend for someone who has had a sports injury would be different than one for someone going through a difficult divorce. The most effective blend addresses both physical and subtle influences. Topical application in massage or bath is suggested, but relief through inhaling diffused blends has also been reported. Essential oils have been seen to have an almost immediate effect on muscle tissue augmented by manipulation through massage.

Musculoskeletal pain can be effectively reduced through using analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, detoxifying, and rubefacient essential oils.

Analgesic Essential Oils
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus ), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana), Peppermint (Mentha x piperita), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris ct. linalool) are common analgesic essential oils. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an essence more frequently used in the East. Earlier articles have explored the properties of the commonly used essences. Of these, Chamomile, Lavender and Marjoram are also a sedative, while Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Thyme are considered stimulants.

A lesser known stimulant is Turmeric. A native of South Asia, Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as an herb in cooking and as medicine. The yellow powder is an ingredient in many curries. Current research indicates that Turmeric has a strong antioxidant property that makes it an herb that may prevent and assist disease and aging issues. It belongs to the ginger family and the powder and essential oil is obtained from the thick rhizome (root). In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, Turmeric is used to treat flatulence, colic, abdominal pain, liver disorder, menstrual issues, hemorrhage, bruises, sores, and toothache as well as chest and shoulder pain. Because of its analgesic, anti-arthritis, anti-inflammatory, choleric, digestive, and rubefacient properties, aromatherapists use Turmeric for arthritis, rheumatism, digestive problems, and liver congestion.

Research has shown that Turmeric can stop the proliferation of laboratory strains of melanoma. (Read Farida Irani 2008 article "Turmeric" in Aromatherapy Journal, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) e-Journal.) Turmeric is said to be non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing.

Anti-inflammatory Essential Oils
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), also known as Everlasting, Turmeric (Curcuma longa), and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) bring down swelling and are appropriate choices for osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, strains and sprains where inflammation is present. Both German Chamomile and Yarrow are deep blue.

Treatment Blends for Pain

Diluted into 1 oz carrier oil, based only on analgesic and anti-inflammatory physiological properties a treatment blend for inflamed, painful joints or strained muscles and back pain might include the following:

Inflamed, Painful Joints
Chamomile 1 drop
Marjoram 5 drops
Rosemary 3 drops
Turmeric 1 drop

Strained Muscles and Back Pain
Lavender 6 drops
Eucalyptus 1 drop
Peppermint 2 drops
Helichrysum 1 drop

These blends contain both sedative and stimulant essences, but a greater number of drops of sedative oils create an overall relaxing effect.

This information is not intended to diagnose or take the place of professional healthcare. Please consult your health care practitioner if you are pregnant or have been diagnosed with any serious healthcare problems. Keep all aromatherapy products out of reach of children. Do not get near eyes. If essential oils get in the eyes, flush with water and seek proper healthcare advice. Before using essential oils and aromatherapy products please consult with a professional aromatherapist.

This article first appeared in MassageToday: http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/home.php

How to make lavender wands from fresh lavender

Lavender lovers came from near and far for the 7th annual ACHS Lavender Open House held at the College campus in SW Portland on July 17. Participants were treated to a series of lavender-themed workshops that ranged from the practical to the scientific, including making natural lavender products to differentiating lavender varieties.

As the culmination of the workshop activities, participants headed into the ACHS Botanical Teaching Garden to harvest their own lavender Lavandula angustifolia for drying and making into lavender wands.

Look for a video of the day's events on ACHStv, the ACHS YouTube channel, soon.

In the meantime, here is some information about making your own lavender wands. If you live in the Portland area, harvest your own fresh lavender at the ACHS campus Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:30 pm. If you're not in Portland, Oregon, find a U-Pick in your area at pickyourown.org.

Materials Needed

• 13 stems of fresh lavender (or any odd number larger than 13)--each at least 12-inches tall.
• 3 yards of satin or other ribbon, ¼-inches wide.
• Patience... allow yourself about 40 minutes to do your first wand. Be very forgiving of yourself... like all skills, this one improves with practice.

Directions
1. Strip all the leaves from the stem. The suppleness of the stem is important to the success of wand making. Harvest the lavender early in the day, and make sure that the flowers are not damp.

2. Line up the bottom of the flower heads and tie them gently together with the end of the 3 yards of ribbon.

3. Turn the bundle upside down and gently bend each stem down around the blossom heads. You can facilitate this step by scoring the underside of the stem section that is being bent with your fingernail. When all of the blossoms are “in the cage of stems”, the long end of the ribbon should be pulled out of the cage, the short end tucked inside.

4. Line up all of the stems evenly around the blossoms, making sure that they do not overlap.

5. Start to weave the ribbon under and over the stems. Gently pull on the ribbon to make sure the weave is tight. The most difficult part of this process is in the first two rows of the weaving. On the second row you should be going under the stems that you had gone over on the first row.

6. Continue weaving until you have covered all the flowers. You can use a stem of lavender to push any buds that stick out back into the weave or rub them off. Wrap the ribbon around the “neck” of the wand and tie a slip knot.

7. Trim the stems to the same length and continue to wrap the stems until you reach the end. Use a rubber band to secure the ribbon to the end of the stem. After the stem has dried and shrunk, you can rewrap the ribbon and glue the ends.

>> To learn more about lavender, or herbal medicine or aromatherapy classes, visit the American College of Healthcare Sciences website.

ACHS lavender distillation yields 30 mls of essential oil

On June 30 ACHS held a public distillation of lavender from the botanical teaching garden. About a dozen community members helped College President Dorene Petersen with the distillation, including harvesting the lavender from the garden.

Historically, lavender Lavandula angustifolia has been used to relieve stress and its effects, including insomnia and anxiety, and to generally aid relaxation. It can also be used around the home as an effective deodorizer and air freshener, in closets and drawers as a natural insecticide, and as a perfume.

Lavender oil is colorless, pale-yellow or yellowish-green oil. It must be stored at cool temperatures in well-filled, airtight containers, and protected from light.

>>To sample the lavender essential oil from the ACHS distillation, check out the Apothecary Shoppe College Store for your free sample.

>>To see more pictures from the ACHS lavender distillation, friend us on Facebook.

>>To watch the ACHS lavender harvest and distillation, visit our Youtube channel, ACHStv.