Uses of Aloe Vera - links

http://www.iasc.org/

http://thealoeverasite.com/aloe-vera-pictures.php

Links to ebooks and articles
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/lib/download-asset.ashx?item_id={40354580-29C3-41FD-87A0-E65613DDAF7C}
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Uses of lavender - dementia

http://scienceline.org/2011/03/lavender-and-old-lace/

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Where do I find perfumery course materials?

Here is a link to a recommended guide
http://www.aftelier.com/level-1-workbook.html

On the UK new perfumes front this spring, this article caught my eye
http://www.britishbeautyblogger.com/2011/03/paul-smith-is-optimistic-and-showed-his.html

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The Organic Essential Oils, carriers and Hydrolats List

Here is the convenient link to our Soil Association certified Oil, Creams and Lotions List

 http://92.52.112.178/web/sacert/sourcemarketplace.nsf/vwSearchAll?SearchView&SearchOrder=1&SearchWv=False&SearchFuzzy=True&SearchThesaurus=False&Query=shirley%20price

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Arthritis - Frankincense and Myrhh

A remarkable new treatment for arthritis made from boswellia serrata (frankincense) and commiphora molmol (myrrh) has been found to be as successful at reducing pain and inflammation caused by arthritis as conventional painkillers.


The two ingredients have a medical history of relieving the inflammation associated with rheumatic and osteopathic forms of arthritis.

There have been more than 20 scientific studies carried out on these two ingredients in the past 15 years for the treatment of arthritic and other inflammation, the most recent of which was this year at the Indira Gandhi Medical College at Nagpur in India. The boswellia serrata tree is found in India.

The study was on the effect of boswellia serrata extract on knee-joint inflammation in 50 osteoarthritic patients over a two-month period.

Osteoarthritis is a common, chronic, progressive, skeletal, degenerative disorder which commonly affects the knee joint.

The study noted that those applying the extract to the skin reported up to 70 per cent better mobility in their knee joints and a 50 to 60 per cent decrease in knee-joint swelling. In addition, the frequency of the swelling was significantly reduced.

Many of the patients reported the results as being more immediate and effective than conventional ibuprofen-based anti-inflammatory treatments.

Another study, carried out last year at the Institute of Pharmacology at the University of Tubingen in Germany, found that commiphora molmol (myrrh) extract was found to have significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects when used on localised acute and chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritic patients.
Myrrh is found in abundance in Jordan, where it has been trialled extensively for its anti-inflammatory effects and is sold in chemists as a treatment for inflammatory conditions.

The study found that the myrrh extract significantly reduced swelling in hands and feet. It is thought to work by reducing the levels of leukotaxine (a chemical produced by injured tissue that causes inflammation) as well as helping to reduce the permeability of blood capillaries, which can also add to inflammation and pain in joints and surrounding tissue.

Myrrh, when taken orally in the same trial, helped reduce inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are also thought to be triggered by high levels of leukotaxine in the intestinal tracts. The first UK trial of this treatment is being carried out by Dr Robert Jacobs, a GP from Devon, on 30 of his arthritic patients.

Dr Jacobs is convinced by the medical data supporting the effects of frankincense and myrrh and believes it to be the most effective combination of all plant extract formulations for anti-inflammatory purposes that he has encountered during his professional career.
Dr Jacobs says: 'Both myself and my wife are arthritis sufferers and we have been trying the cream for several weeks. 'We've found it to be as good as, if not better than, conventional prescription anti- inflammatories such as Naproxen.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-204154/How-frankincense-cures-arthritis.html#ixzz1FvTgx9hC
 
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The Business of Aromatherapy

Green Scentsations, is an independent consulting company specializing in botanical therapies, aromatherapy education and product development.

Mindy Green's radio interviews and online articles 

It is humbling to be surrounded by knowledgeable people with 35 years of experience of botanicals.  This link contains a treasure chest of knowledge and beauty secrets.  The first link contains a number of hints of the use of essential oils for home spa pampering.  As Mindy says less is more where essential oils are concerned.  For example 5 drops each of essential oil Lavender, Geranium, Ylang for a relaxing blend to scent three cups of bath salts.  A bath salt can be made from half dead sea salts and half borax.

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Bracciano

The citrus oils. Bracciano is a lovely italian town just to the north of Rome. Its nice to enjoy a coffee in the square under the impressive castle before setting off to the lakeside. Here lived the Duke Flavio Orsini Duke of Bracciano and Prince of Nerola and his wife, Princess Anna Maria de la Tremoille de Noirmoutier. It is Anna Maria who are credited with introducing the beautiful oil of Neroli to european courts.

The first mention of citrus essential oils occurred in Italy in the sixteenth century. It was 1688 before bergamot essential oil found its way to the inventory of a German Pharmacy.  Bergamot and Neroli are key ingredients in Eau de Cologne which was worn as a healthy lotion.

Yes its fascinating. How dark were the dark ages? Italy was wracked by warfare from the fall of rome to the renaissance but farming went on and pockets of learning remained preserved. Many of the combatants were rival christians who left monastries alone. Medicine then made considerable use of plant oils and plants. Mostly for digestion and shipboard diseases. One of the most notable maestri of the Siennese School of Medicine was Pietro Ispano (Pope John XXI). Ispano was an illustrious philosopher, personal doctor to Emperor Frederick II, and in 1276 became Pope John XXI.

As to Florence which rose to eclipe Sienna, a leading family were the Medici. Can you see whats coming? yes the Medici began as pharmacists and their heraldic shield commemorates this as it consists of circles to depict the pills of dried plant matter they supplied. Dont mess with the pharmacists!

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