heads up! Jan Benham's UK tutoring dates

Jan Benhams UK aromatherapy diploma tutor dates are Jan 10-20, Feb 18-March 11, April 12-18, May 3-

Module One UK Aromatherapy Diploma 15-19th Janauary

Module One UK Aromatherapy Diploma, February

Module One UK Aromatherapy Diploma, April

Module One UK Aromatherapy Diploma May

Blending with Jan Benham

The upto date training department schedule is on www.ShirleyPrice.com

Essentia

Care For blends - its that time of the year

When two or more essential oils are combined the result is a synergistic  blend, the
beneficial effects of which can be far greater than those of the individual oils which
make up the blend.  To learn the art of synergistic blending by practising aromatherapists requires years of dedication and experience.

The popular ‘Care for’ range is a unique concept developed by Shirley Price Aromatherapy,
which enables you to care for yourself in your own home.  Shirley Price Aromatherapy
has created a range of unique blends of essential oils designed to address specific health needs.

The ‘Care for’ range of pure essential oils should NEVER be applied directly to the skin.
The ‘Care for’ range can be used for massage by adding them to a carrier (15 drops to
50ml carrier oil/lotion) or alternatively you may wish to try the ready blended range of
massage oils/lotions.

Pure essential oils mixes are available in a 10ml size whilst the ready mixed lotions or
oils are available in a 125ml size.

After flight
An invigorating, energising blend of uplifting oils which can help reduce the effects of
differing time zones.
Size:        10ml        Code:        2005

Airways
Inhale this cleansing blend of oils or add a few drops to your bath daily.  Use in a carrier
lotion on the face, particularly
on the nose and cheek bones, to free your nasal passages.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2080 / 2081 (lotion)

Cellulite
A blend of oils specially selected for their cleansing properties.  Used regularly, this
blend will reduce the unsightly
dimples associated with cellulite.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2010 / 2014  (oil) / 2017 (lotion)

Circulation
A stimulating blend of oils to help maintain a healthy circulation and bring tone to the
body and skin.  Available as a pure
essential oil mix to add to the bath or a ready mixed oil to be applied daily for best
results.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2020 / 2024 (oil)

Clear head
This blend combines oils known for their clarifying properties.  This natural preparation
revives, refreshes and soothes
the mind.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2035 / 2037 (lotion)

Fatigue
This blend will keep the mind alert and responsive even at the end of the day.
Especially appropriate for use in the car.
Use in a vaporizer or inhale directly by placing a few drops of oil on a tissue.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2030 / 2030 (oil)

Joints
Available as a pure essential oil mix at add directly to the bath.  Also available as a
carrier oil or lotion  to massage into
appropriate areas twice daily.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2040 / 2044 (oil) / 2047 (lotion)

Muscles
This blend is ideal for tired and stiff muscles if used in the bath or in a ready mixed
oil/lotion.  It is effective for use before
and after sport, helping to prevent cramp and induce relaxation as well as for everyday
aches and pains.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2060 / 2064 (oil) / 2067 (lotion)

Problem skin
To care for problem skins, this normalizing blend of essential oils in a lotion is ideal.
Use daily as required on dry, flaky
or itchy skin.
Size:        125ml        Code:        2075 (lotion)

Respiratory system
A tranquil, soothing blend.  Inhale to help maintain healthy lungs.  This blend is used for
aiding effective respiration.
Size:        10ml        Code:        2075

Rest
Known for their soothing and relaxing characteristics, these oils have been blended to
help you rest naturally and
deeply during the night.  A few drops on a tissue and placed either within your
pillowcase or in the pocket of your
pyjamas is the most effective, or use 4—6 drops of the mix in a warm bath
Size:        10ml        Code:        2085

Stresses and strains
This popular blend is an invaluable aid to relaxation during a busy or stressful day.  It
eases feelings of tiredness, leaves
you more relaxed, lessens tension and restores calmness
Size:        10ml /125ml        Code:        2090 / 2094 (oil) / 2097 (lotion)

Stretch marks
This carefully selected blend of essential oils, when used in the bath, will help keep skin
supple and elastic.  Use 4 - 5
drops in a warm bath from the 4th month of pregnancy.  It can also be applied, in a
carrier oil, twice daily from the 4th
month of pregnancy or during weight loss to maintain skin tone.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2100 / 2104 (oil)

Visible veins
To care for your legs, we have prepared a blend of especially selected essential oils.
Especially
Size:        10ml / 125ml        useful where veins are visible in the calves and thighs.
Code:        2110 / 2114 (oil)

Women
This special blend is formulated with oils noted for their balancing and normalizing
effects.
Size:        10ml / 125ml        Code:        2120 / 2127 (oil)

commercial break - Xmas gifts

We recommend the gift sets this christmas from Natroma.  They come beautifully packaged and make an attractive high quality gift item for christmas.  You can order from us or find them online at www.http://www.natroma.co.uk/store/d7-natroma-gift-sets/ We also have their excellent handmade Goatsmilk soaps in our aromashop.

Commercial Break- Gift boxes for Xmas

The aromagold giftboxes for Xmas are in the aromashop.  They come unwrapped or for an extra charge are beautifully giftwrapped.  There is a box set for everyone.

good new drugs - bad new side effects

A key policy issue is the direction of research toward drug solutions which must be patentable but which result in new drugs ever more alien to the body with consequential side effects.  The interest in the use of age old essential oils for common ailments which are derived from plant matter to which the body is relatively well adapted is not just a response to consumer fashion.  It is a response to genuine prescribers concerns.

Essentia

Revision - classic aroma research articles on anti-microbial virtues

AROMATOGRAM a laboratory test used to determine the antibacterial activity of essential oils in which the oil is introduced into the center of a bacteria-laden petri dish. A clear zone indicates the bactericidal activity of the oil. The greater the diameter of the zone, the higher the efficacy of the oil.  Dominique Baudoux on the aromatogram .  The Aromatogram has a long history the effectiveness of aromatic oils first being tested by suspending germs above oil by Koch in 1881, followed by Chamberland in 1887.  Bertrand in 1910 measured the Antimicrobial strength of essential oils by reference to phenol in isolation.

Phenol 1 Origan 25 Thymol 25 Cinnamon 9 Clove 8 

We are then into the modern era with the researches of Gattefosse, Valnet and many others.

1994, the work of Lapraz and Duraffourd and a nice history of the use of the aromatogram from 1881 to the present day phyto2000


The results of 268 cases with 15 of the Essential Oils used most frequently :

ESSENTIAL OIL	% EFFECTIVENESS IN VITRO	PERCENT OF EFFICIENCY
Origanum	86,31	88,43
Cinnamon	79,85	85,83
Savory	67,32	75,16
Clove	50,24	56,34
Lavender	41,91	49,62
Cajeput	39,42	45,89
Pine	38,43	43,65
Geranium	26,99	29,85
Myrtle	25,24	30,59
Eucalyptus	24,25	27,61
Petitgrain	18,15	21,64
Aspic	17,41	20,89
Tarragon	15,04	17,91
Lemon	13,68	16,41

1996 aromatograms demonstrated in the UK  Mike Smith, PMC Laboratories, 0171-436 9395 Link 

2000, Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact, the researchers used inverted petri dishes to assess the efficacy of diffusing oils  Link

Franchomme and Penoel, L'aromatherapie exactement is a french language textbook for the study of scientific aromatherapy.  Find it on Amazon

Shirley Price's Aromatherapy for Health Professionals  Find it on amazon

Today there is also information on the Florihana website  

Doctors are busy people and it is relatively easy to prescribe antibiotics compared to the messiness, delay and uncertainty of prescribing essential oil use even for something like a fungal toenail or foot infection which responds well to a topical application of tea tree.  However since the 1990s there has been increasing concern at the side effects of antibiotic use.

Essentia

 

 

 

Shirley Price people - Massage with essential oils

At differant parts of the day we need to accelerate ourselves and at others relax.  Uplifting and invigorating oils like Rosemary are very useful for mind and body.  Learning how to relax is a valuable life skill and essential to a good nights sleep.  Massage is well known to promote relaxation and a feeling of well being in the production of endorphins.  By diffusing relaxing oils used in massage like Lavender and Marjoram the benefits of massage can be 'remembered' and the benefit extended.  Hippocrates famously said the way to health was a massage with aromatic plant oils.

Aromatherapy and Massage for people with learning disabilities.  1991.  The book that Jane Harrison wrote with Helen Sandarson and Shirley Price is still available.  Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote health and well being and is being used increasingly with children and adults who have severe learning disabilities. Although well known for its relaxing, invigorating and health promoting effects, its use can be further extended to provide sensory stimulation and to help develop communication through a trusting relationship. This article sets out to explore each of these areas and to describe how they have been used with people with severe learning disabilities.


This is one of the aromatherapy books to which I make most frequent reference and recommend because it tells us not only how aromatherapy works but why.  By seeing how aromatherapy can be used for people with learning difficulties we can gain fresh insights into the use of essential oils without these difficulties but facing the same challenges.  Find it on Amazon.  It is important to remember that at this time people who were not 'normal' could still find themselves separated from family and the community and confined in institutions while today where possible care is provided in the community. Find out more about the Social Model of Disability.   

Part of the reason for this separation were alarming and self harming behaviours as a form of expression which aromatherapists/occupational therapists have found a way of displacing. 

Of course not much can be done without money!!  Today disabled people in our community are often promoted as community leaders and are cherished with fundraising efforts in my own community to send 20 disabled people on tall ship training - callenging enough for people without mental and physical handicap.   DisabilityBrum. Blog.  There must be political will to support this community spirit.  I was privileged to act as a deputy Daventry constituency chairman for Tim Boswell MP an unsung hero but whose efforts and lifelong commitment to the disabled have been recognised by MPs of all parties.

After meeting Jane Harrison at Holistic Health in April 2010 it is my intention to update and maybe if the authors permit republish this book at some point when time permits and bring in my interest in contemporary blind massage. If you are an aromatherapist/occupational therapist do kindly let me have your case studies and articles for inclusion. 

In 2010 a student came on work experience to work in the factory.  Affected by Down's syndrome, a chromosomal disorder, the girls put her to work in the laboratory but with difficulties of coordination it was too easy to spill the oils.  I noticed that although the student had profound communication difficulties her understanding was perfectly normal and her attitude seemed excellent.  So I put her to work transcribing a book and was delighted when she effortlessly produced 50 pages of excellent copy without spelling mistakes.  Young people with Down's need a little more help to lead rewarding and effective lives but they can and do.  Find out more.

A particular interest of mine is promoting and supporting the teaching of massage training to blind people.  This is a traditional activity reserved to the blind in asian countries and this was also the model in the UK up until 1900.  The Chinese government have a program for all blind people to receive occupational massage training.  Find out more about the RNIB in the UK.  Seeing Hands, Blind Massage in Phnom Penh What a lovely laugh.  Laugh yourself well.  If you are a young person with time on your hands there are plenty of volunteering opportunities in your community.  Try it.

Essentia

Shirley Price Aromatherapy Diploma Module One, Hinckley UK 15-19 January 2011

Module One is the Foundation level for all students and our most popular class

• Aromatherapy massage, its principles and benefits
• The properties and effects of 12 of the most popular essential oils
• Methods of extraction, storage and blending and the use of carrier oils
• History of aromatherapy and massage together with the philosophy of holistic healing
• Introduction to botany, plant cell function and photosynthesis 
• Introduction to aromatherapy treatments - the Shirley Price care for mixes
• Introduction to cosmetology - Essentia botanical organic skincare 

 

A certificate of attendence will be issued.  Attendance on the foundation module is enough for those who wish only to use essential oils safely at home, to advise customers on their use, to help their family and to enhance their own life. 

10 case studies and 5 essays should be completed before Module 2

Upcoming 2011 Shirley Price Module One class dates, Hinckey

Jan 15-19

Feb 19-23

April 12-17

May 9-13

Find out more 

VENUE POLICY: The Hinckley Venue will depend on student numbers, in 2009 the Shirley Price training department was very busy and held a class a month however student numbers vary each semester so the venue will either be our training rooms at 55 Station Road, Hinckley or the Penny Price Academy, Hinckley (if class size is 3 or less so joining a class there).  

If we have 6 international students for Module One training then the venue will be the Ardencote Manor Hotel Warwick.  

Oils and materials covered,available for separate purchase

10ml	Black Pepper
3ml	Chamomile Roman
10ml	Eucalypus Smithii
10ml	Frankincense
10ml	Geranium
10ml	Ginger
10ml	Lavender
10ml	Mandarin
10ml	Tea tree
10ml	Ylang Ylang
125ml	Avocado
125ml	Grapeseed
125ml	Sunflower
125ml	Wheatgerm
125ml	White lotion
10ml	Airways
10ml	Cellulite
10ml	Circulation
10ml	Clear head
10ml	Easy breathe
10ml	Fatigue
10ml	Joints
10ml	Muscles
10ml	Respiratory System
10ml	Rest
10ml	Stresses and strains
10ml	Visible veins
10ml	Women
	Measuring cup
10ml	Chamomile eyedrops
200ml	Cleansing milk
30ml	Clear skin moisture cream
100ml	Hand and body lotion
50ml	Honey Mask
50ml	Minute Gel Mask
50ml	Moisture cream
200ml	Moisture lotion
30ml	Reflex cream
50ml	Rejuvenating night cream
30ml	Special E moisture cream
15ml	Superlight eyecream
200ml	Toning lotion
	Headband

Holistic thinking - Do you feel at one with the universe?

Do you feel "one" with the universe? Why doyou  or why do you not?  As many as 7 out of 10 people would answer that question no.  So theres a lot of work for aromatherapists to do!

For me personally sometimes I do feel at odds with the universe and seem to be standing in the way of events.  Who doesnt?  However by simple observation of the world we can see that whatever happens things have a way of happening for the best simply because 98% of people are well intentioned.  As to the 2% who are not?  Best avoided!

Essentia

Aromatreatments - Home use - ant bites

prevention is better than a cure.  If you can help it you dont want to share your home with insects.  Our essential oil factory is insect free and the reason is that the aromas confuse insect senses which rely heavily on smell clogging their smell receptors so they are unable to communicate.  In short ant and insects cant function socially around essential oils and that means they cant feed and they cant breed. 

Essential oils and natural methods are also effective for treating ant bites and insect bites.

Aromatreatment: Put an ice cube onto the ant bite to reduce the itching and the pain. Right after that, apply peppermint oil to the bite; then lavender oil after that. Repeat.
Other natural methods




Method 1: Aloe Vera – especially straight from the plant. Just cut a leaf open, and squeeze its juice directly onto your ant bite. Personally I keep an aloe vera plant (and a basil plant for fresh leaves for cooking to aid digestion) by the kitchen window. If a fresh aloe vera leaf is not to hand then use Shirley Price Pure aloe vera gel. It should draw any infection out of the bite.
Method 2: Pour lemon juice directly onto an ant bite. The acidity from the lemon counteracts and neutralizes the acid in the bite. A slice of cucumber on the bite is also helpful.  The tannic acid in a used tea bag will also neutralise the acid in an ant bite.
Method 3: For bee stings make a thick paste out of baking soda or clay and water. Apply it straight on. Besides taking care of the pain, this paste should also help with the itching.

Essentia

revise supercritical fluid extraction - frankincense

My thanks to Madelaine Knapp-Hayes for the gift of the lovely Frankincense Co2 to fragrance our new training rooms in Hinckley UK.  Diffusing frankincense is a traditional use in the Middle East to cleanse rooms and create a positive atmosphere.  

Frankincense has always played its part in Shirley Price Essentia skincare.  Today Frankincense Co2 as an ingredient is finding increasing use in cosmetics and frankincense's top notes are of great use in aromatherapy because sesquiterpenes can cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the limbic brain.  By slowing the breathing frankincense assists meditation and the ability to see matters in a better and more positive perspective, as a witness to lifes dramas rather than a participant.

Madelaine's frankincense is made from Somali resin like our own hydrodistilled Frankincense.  Purists who burn frankincense like the Omani frankincense but Somali frankincense is recognised as creating the best oil.  Co2 extraction takes this to another level but I still like the balsamic aroma of the hydrodistilled frankincense as well.  

Madelaines Frankincense has a stunning aroma creating a big impact and impression on the senses like Rose Otto.  The top notes are so well preserved that you can smell it without opening the bottle due to the childproof cap.  

So how is this frankincense obtained?  Now we venture into the world of supercitical fluids.  This used to be a rather expensive and esoteric area of essential oil extraction.  Now it is becoming increasingly viable due to apparatus such as this illustrated in this slideshow.

It depends on the mild conditions at which Co2 becomes a supercitical fluid having the qualities of both a gas and a fluid it permeates the plant matter and liberates the volatile components at a temperature of only 31°C (less than body temperature).  SCF extraction is particularly effective when used with a concrete enabling a first separation in which all the plant waxes and residues are left behind.  Upon returning to an ambient state, the CO2 becomes a gas, leaving no residue and the essential oil in a pure state which is closer to the fragrance of the original resin or flower. 

I can see this being of particular application to producing a gardenia scent.  I find the gardenia absolute bears very little resemblance to the flowers but I'll be interested to try some Co2 extracted gardenia.  The flavor or fragrance is in its unadulterated state. There is no solvent taste or smell.  Steam distillation involves exposure to temperatures over 100°C destroying many of the really small molecules or “top notes”.

SCF is a green technology and may play a part in future large scale carbon capture at powerstations.  We get into an interesting debate as to whether all this takes us away from the 'life force' of the oils aromatherapists look for.  With SCF for the floral scents we certainly have come a long way from suspending a sheeps fleece over a vat of boiling water containing plant matter.  This process acted as a portable field solution and suprisingly efficient condensor long before the refinement of a coiled pipe in a jacket of cold water!  Water becomes supercritical at high temperatures and pressures found in undersea water vents.  Incidently perfectly respectable theories suggest life on earth starting in this undersea environment.

Madelaine writes about her training institute in the Netherlands
My training institute offers 2 seminar rooms, one for up to 30 people, and one for upto 12 people. The latter duals as a teaching room for massage etc with 3 tables and a hospital bed.

De Levensboom also features an educational medicinal garden of 4500 m2, laid to "chambers" around a large pond. You and students can enjoy the herb garden, medical & homeopathy garden, edible garden and aromatic garden. There is a semi open teahouse with herb bed for herbal teas, etc. The garden is open to the public in May and June and proceeds go to the Levensboom Fonds, a fund that supports palliative and end of life care.

Wernhout is in the southwest, 15 km south from the town of Breda. From De Levensboom to Calais (Fr) and Channel Tunnel is 265km. From Brussels Airport around 95km, from Rotterdam Airport 55km, from Eindhoven Airport 80km and from Amsterdam Airport 120km.

Recent research

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22415137

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20696559

Essentia

    

So how do you deliver Shirley Price aromatherapy training to 50 nurses?

 Delivering training internationally is a team effort.  Where an institution plans to deliver a weeklong training course it is necessary to allow plenty of time for planning but in reality notice of upcoming events can be as little as 4 weeks!  Assembling the materials alone in the factory  for a 50 delegate course is a considerable exercise.

Lecture notes and oils and accessories must be packed and delivered to the distributor or institution holding the course well in advance.  Nothing is worse than a delay in customs clearance resulting in no material being to hand.  For example we recently had a large shipment delayed because a single insect had been found outside the wrapped boxes en route.

Another factor is the availablility of the international tutors. Shirley Price have a team of international tutors whose details can be found on www.ShirleyPrice.com.  Many of these tutors trained with Shirley Price and have returned as authors and educators in their own right to teach a new generation of students at the Shirley Price International College of Aromatherapy and its branches worldwide.

International training projects in many languages are coordinated from our training office, a converted house near the Shirley Price factory in Hinckley.

Essentia

Anatomy and Physiology Online - the ground to cover

Students who complete the distance learning and A&P courses can attend the residential upgrade course for the IFPA membership examination

 INTRODUCTION.  The human body consists of chemicals, cells, tissues organs and systems all working together.  This complex living organism has to maintain a stable internal environment in order to remain healthy, survive and reproduce.

CARDIOVASCULAR.  The cardiovascular system is responsible for circulating the blood around the body’s tissues.  The blood is pumped by the muscular contractions of the heart, and travels around the body by a complex network of blood vessels

DIGESTIVE. The digestive system is responsible for the ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination of food.  As well as the mouth to anus digestive tract the role of the pancreas, liver and gall bladder in the digestive process are covered.

ENDOCRINE.  The endocrine system consists of organs which secrete hormones which control many of the body’s vital processes.  The endocrine functions of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, testes, pineal gland and thymus gland are covered.  Explanations of the hormonal changes during puberty and pregnancy are included.

LYMPHATIC.  The lymphatic system consists of a network of vessels and structures  made up of lymphatic tissue.  It plays a vital role in immunity.  This section looks at lymph and the lymphatic network including the functions of the tonsils spleen and thymus.  The way the body then provides resistence to disease are then covered.

MUSCULAR.  The muscular system consists of tissue which has the ability to contract.  The anatomy and physiology of skeletal muscle.  Smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.  Muscular structure and the main muscles in the body.

NERVOUS.  The nervous system consists of all tissue consisting of nerve cells.  Anatomy and physiology of nerve cells.  The central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal chord.  The function of the peripheral nervous system.

 REPRODUCTION.  The male and female reproductive systems provide the means by which new individuals can be produced and genetic material passed on.  How cells divide to create sperm and ova.  The processes that take place from fertilisation to birth.

RESPIRATORY.  The respiratory system provides oxygen to the tissues and removes carbon dioxide.  The respiratory tract from the nose to the lungs.  How the lungs take in and expel air.  The circulatory link between the lungs and the heart.

SENSES.  The senses provide vital information about the environment.  The senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

SKELETAL. The skeletal system consists mainly of bones.  The main functions of the skeletal system, nature, composition and classification of bone and the physiology of bone growth.  The main bones and types of joint.

SKIN, NAILS AND HAIR.  The skin covers most of the body providing a protective barrier between the inner body and the external environment.  Structure and function of nails, skin and hair.  Skin pigmentation and the effects of aging.

URINARY.  The urinary system plays and excretory role and eliminates urine.  It is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.  How nephrons function to filter the blood.  The effect of antidiuretic hormone and functions of the kidneys.

CHEMISTRY.  Basic chemistry concepts.  The anatomy and physiology of the body results from the reactions that take place at the molecular level of structural organisation.  All life processes depend on the success of this chemistry.

Online training providers

Essential Training Solutions online

anatomy and physiology online

Practical pre school ideas

From ancient egypt to the present day

What a great idea.  Doughs for the kids to play with and get some essential oil protection in the flu season.

For our factory shop we are working up some ideas with business tutor Gill Mathias whose company www.AromatherapyGold.com we thoroughly recommend.

Essentia

Antibiotics? hero or villain?

Returning to a controversial questioning theme of this blog - is the minimisation of antibiotic use at least for common skin disorders the most valuable contribution aromatherapy can make?  

Take a look at this Manchester University study published in the Journal nature.  There is understandably a great reluctance to publicly acknowledge that modern antibiotic use can trigger cancer but the fact is that for many antibiotics, particularly the new generations of non nature based antibiotics, triggering cancer may only be a question of the dose.  I stress this is not something the scientists making the study have alluded to.  This is a purely personal observation and should not be taken as a criticism of antibiotic use when the circumstances as seen by medical professionals justify it.
http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v10/n10/full/nrc2914.html
Cancer is a modern, man-made disease caused by environmental factors such as pollution and diet, a study by University of Manchester scientists has strongly suggested.
The study of remains and literature from ancient Egypt and Greece and earlier periods – carried out at Manchester’s KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology and published in Nature – includes the first histological diagnosis of cancer in an Egyptian mummy.
Finding only one case of the disease in the investigation of hundreds of Egyptian mummies, with few references to cancer in literary evidence, proves that cancer was extremely rare in antiquity. The disease rate has risen massively since the Industrial Revolution, in particular childhood cancer – proving that the rise is not simply due to people living longer.
Professor Rosalie David, at the Faculty of Life Sciences, said: “In industrialised societies, cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as a cause of death. But in ancient times, it was extremely rare. There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle.”
She added: “The important thing about our study is that it gives a historical perspective to this disease. We can make very clear statements on the cancer rates in societies because we have a full overview. We have looked at millennia, not one hundred years, and have masses of data.”
The data includes the first ever histological diagnosis of cancer in an Egyptian mummy by Professor Michael Zimmerman, a visiting Professor at the KNH Centre, who is based at the Villanova University in the US. He diagnosed rectal cancer in an unnamed mummy, an ‘ordinary’ person who had lived in the Dakhleh Oasis during the Ptolemaic period (200-400 CE).
Professor Zimmerman said: “In an ancient society lacking surgical intervention, evidence of cancer should remain in all cases. The virtual absence of malignancies in mummies must be interpreted as indicating their rarity in antiquity, indicating that cancer causing factors are limited to societies affected by modern industrialization”.
The team studied both mummified remains and literary evidence for ancient Egypt but only literary evidence for ancient Greece as there are no remains for this period, as well as medical studies of human and animal remains from earlier periods, going back to the age of the dinosaurs.
Evidence of cancer in animal fossils, non-human primates and early humans is scarce – a few dozen, mostly disputed, examples in animal fossils, although a metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin has been reported in an Edmontosaurus fossil while another study lists a number of possible neoplasms in fossil remains. Various malignancies have been reported in non-human primates but do not include many of the cancers most commonly identified in modern adult humans.
It has been suggested that the short life span of individuals in antiquity precluded the development of cancer. Although this statistical construct is true, individuals in ancient Egypt and Greece did live long enough to develop such diseases as atherosclerosis, Paget's disease of bone, and osteoporosis, and, in modern populations, bone tumours primarily affect the young.
Another explanation for the lack of tumours in ancient remains is that tumours might not be well preserved. Dr. Zimmerman has performed experimental studies indicating that mummification preserves the features of malignancy and that tumours should actually be better preserved than normal tissues. In spite of this finding, hundreds of mummies from all areas of the world have been examined and there are still only two publications showing microscopic confirmation of cancer. Radiological surveys of mummies from the Cairo Museum and museums in Europe have also failed to reveal evidence of cancer. 
As the team moved through the ages, it was not until the 17^th century that they found descriptions of operations for breast and other cancers and the first reports in scientific literature of distinctive tumours have only occurred in the past 200 years, such as scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps in 1775, nasal cancer in snuff users in 1761 and Hodgkin’s disease in 1832.
Professor David – who was invited to present her paper to UK Cancer Czar Professor Mike Richards and other oncologists at this year’s UK Association of Cancer Registries and National Cancer Intelligence Network conference – said: “Where there are cases of cancer in ancient Egyptian remains, we are not sure what caused them. They did heat their homes with fires, which gave off smoke, and temples burned incense, but sometimes illnesses are just thrown up.”
She added: “The ancient Egyptian data offers both physical and literary evidence, giving a unique opportunity to look at the diseases they had and the treatments they tried. They were the fathers of pharmacology so some treatments did work
“They were very inventive and some treatments thought of as magical were genuine therapeutic remedies. For example, celery was used to treat rheumatism back then and is being investigated today. Their surgery and the binding of fractures were excellent because they knew their anatomy: there was no taboo on working with human bodies because of mummification. They were very hands on and it gave them a different mindset to working with bodies than the Greeks, who had to come to Alexandria to study medicine.”
She concluded: “Yet again extensive ancient Egyptian data, along with other data from across the millennia, has given modern society a clear message – cancer is man-made and something that we can and should address.”
Publication:  ‘Cancer: an old disease, a new disease or something in between?’ is available at http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v10/n10/full/nrc2914.html
Contact: Mikaela Sitford, Media Relations Officer, Tel: 0161 275 2111, Email: Mikaela.Sitford@manchester.ac.uk
 Source: The University of Manchester

Essentia

Essential Oil profiles - Clove Bud oil

great profile article on clove bud oil
informative and funny too, well I laughed at the poster

talking of which Shirley Price have two classic aroma posters, the aromatherapy cross reference and the reflexolgy, see them in the background on the dvd clips to the right of this article

More profiles from this author Basil, Bergamot, Blackpepper, Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Orange, Neroli, Patchouli,  Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea tree, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Essentia

Shirley Price Practicioner/tutors - Jan Benham at work

heres a nice image of Jan Benham at work on a holistic facial with strawberries, whipping cream and cucumber from the fridge.  cream?  The clue is in the name!

Find out more at aromashoppe.com

Organic certification- Lavender in Maremma

We have eight organic lavender oils listed from differant countries, altitudes, plants and processing methods. Armed with your suppliers organic registration and certificate it is easy to check the validity and status of their certification, for example Italy's ICEA's website has a look up section.  See the link

Organic Lavender from the Tuscany Coast in Italy is a new addition to the Shirley Price lavender range.  The licence is IT BIO ICA B1843 00 reference 497 dated 12/07/2010. 

The italian farmer distiller who supplies Shirley Price has a long term commitment to organic supply through his other products including wine.  In fact the oils arrive in 0.75litre wine bottles.  I thought this is a great idea so we will be marketing this as a bulk lavender oil in its original packaging.  A sample is away for analysis and we'll be using this as an example in the aromatherapy diploma of the process of listing and supplying an essential oil.  So where is this oil from and why am I enthusiastic about it?  First the oil came highly recommended by a Shirley Price's US Distributor Han Nordblom.  Secondly the family are very dedicated about what they do and thirdly I really like the area this is from.  The Maremma lies between Florence and Rome on the coast within sight of Elba, Napoleon's place of exile before the road to Waterloo.  The area has horse and boat regattas which preserve medievil traditions.  Of course beside the agriculture I am most enthusiastic about the cowboy Butteri lifestyle who tend the areas cattle.  This is not the classic Tuscany of the tourist trail but to me it is a wonderful part of Italy like my own Warwickshire England where there is a real sense both of history and community and pride.

Essentia

heads up! Sara Gelzer will be in the building November 1st

Open Day November 1st.  Sara is the Shirley Price international distance learning tutor.  Based in Switzerland she tutored the aromatherapy diploma for Shirley Price before opening her own clinic.  If you are considering the Shirley Price distance learning course or part way through your studies do come and join us at 8 Hawley Road, LE100PR at 1pm for a chat.  A major part of the distance learning are the case studies and how to fill in the client record cards so come and learn and do some examples.  Sara will also demonstrate some massage techniques.

Essentia

Anti viral properties - case study MC outbreak in a primary school - how can essential oils help?

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a viral infection of the skin caused by molluscum contagiosum virus which infects only humans. This distressing infection is most common in children aged one to ten years old.  The virus can be spread among children at day care or at school. MC is contagious until the bumps are gone-which, if untreated, may be up to 6 months or longer.  Eczema too can be associated with an MC infection.

The body of evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural botanicals against a great variety of viruses is growing. German scientists found extracts of more than 100 species of the Lamiaceae family to have antiviral effects. This discovery lead to an increase in the examination of essential oils in Europe for the treatment of viral infections.  Essential oils from many plant families have now been demonstrated to have antiviral properties.

Should essential oils be applied undiluted to the MC lesions?  Generally no.  Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be highly irritating to a sensitive skin.  Care must be taken not to drop neat oil onto the skin, particularly infant skin which can be very sensitive so it will be better, however tempting, to use diluted oil particularly as the study below shows 10% dilutions of citral can still be effective in neutralising the MC virus.  However citral itself is highly irritating and the recommended dilution is 1% so should other essential oils be considered by the therapist?

French aromatherapists are bolder with their essential oils advice still favouring dilution but prepared to use higher doses or neat oils carefully applied on viral lesions where justified.  French aromatherapists are often medically qualified so better placed to judge such circumstances where side effects are possible as they do day to day with conventional medicines.

With adult skin which is less sensitive than childrens skin there may be a case of using a toothpick to drop a very tiny amount of essential oil with known anti viral properties directly onto the centre of viral lesions.  Lemon oil applied like this makes short work of viral warts but viruses vary in structure and MC is more like the Herpes virus except it results in raised lesions so may not be vulnerable to Lemon oil (which contains only 5% citral).  Melissa contains only 11% citral but is highly effective against the herpes virus.  Unlike the more irritating oils Melissa can be applied undiluted to the skin.

Australian lemon myrtle

A 2004 study demonstrated over 90% reduction in the number of MC lesions in 9 out of 16 children treated once daily for 21 days with 10% dilution of essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) dissolved in olive oil. (1)

Lemon Myrtle is 95% citral, should not be applied undiluted at all because of the risk of skin irritation. Dilutions as low as 1% can result in irritation if an individual is sensitive.  For any essential oil or essential oil blend it is as well to do a patch test on the elbow 24 hours before attempting treatment to test for such individual sensitivity.  Other sources of citral of approximately 75% citral are May Chang, Lemongrass, Lemon Tea Tree. Lemon myrtle oil which has a high reputation in Australia is available diluted in a cream or lotion in the UK from Ann Clemont of www.BushEssentials.co.uk  T: 01388 819991.

Tea tree oil is also reported to at least reduce growth and spread of lesions when used in dilute form. Tea tree oil may cause contact dermatitis to those with sensitive skin, although less often in dilute form. 

Antiviral Components of Oils

The components of essential oils showing antiviral activity, and the oils in which they can be found, are as follows (from K. Schnaubelt, Ph.D. - Advanced Aromatherapy, p. 36):

Anethol - found in Anise
Alpha-Sabines - found in Tea Tree, Laurel, and other oils
Beta-Caryophyllene - found in Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme Linalool, and other oils
Carvone - found in Dill
Cinnamic aldehyde - found in Cinnamon Bark
Citral - found in Melissa, Lemongrass, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon tea tree and other oils
Citronellol - found in Rose and Geranium
Eugenol - found in Clove
Gamma-Terpinene - Found in Juniper, Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Tea Tree and other oils
Linalyl acetate - found in Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot and other oils

1.  ^ Burke BE, Baillie JE, Olson RD (2004). "Essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children". Biomed. Pharmacother. 58 (4): 245–7. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2003.11.006. PMID 15183850.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Lemon, Grapefruit and Mandarin and Eucalyptus oils make good base components for a fresh smelling anti-viral blend for the diffuser to combat viruses airborne on dust or water or on surfaces.  This may be the safest use of Lemon Myrtle.  Can be used in a diffuser, but is effective in a perfume burner, on a handkerchief or tissue placed on a radiator or dropped on the corner of the pillowcase.                                                                                                                                                                               Essentia