For the amount of Wild Lavender that is offered on the internet, it is amazing how few pictures there are. Here is one from the Montaigne de Lure, where much of the real wild Lavender comes from. Wild Lavender generally grows in altitudes higher than those of the cultivated population Lavender. Wild Lavender or “Lavande suavage” is available from the OSA site in a 2 for 1 special for a limited time only, as long as the allocated supplies last.
Over three decades ago American philosopher and author Theodore Roszak formulated his ideas about, what he termed, the “Myth of Objective Consciousness.” (Theodore Roszak, The Making of a Counter Culture, Chicago, 1967) It is worth to step back in time to recall Roszak’s argument as it illuminates so many of the predicaments we find ourselves trapped in today:
Objective Consciousness in this context implies that if only we, or the tireless and unselfish scientist, stepped back from her or his emotions and subjective impressions and instead use the incorruptible tools of experimental laboratory science, that then, and only then, an objective – or in other words a truly true – glance at reality is possible. In the context of treating disease this has led to the perception that testing medicines in a process aptly termed “double blind” is best to determine the efficacy of a (new) drug objectively, because it removes the subjective perceptions of patient and doctor.
This idea of objectivity has solidly taken hold in American and most other Western societies. But in his book, Roszak goes on to contemplate how this state of objectivity is neither possible nor desirable. He calls our unchecked belief in scientific objectivity the “Myth” of our time, being the underlying belief of our cultural period that is never checked. It is considered to be self evidently true, needing no further proof.
So we believe that medicines whose efficacy has been demonstrated by the cost intensive double blind testing, must be ‘working.’ That is, if the patient is within the statistical segment of the population, for which the drug was shown to work.
The paradigm of corporate drug research depends on the assumption that there are close to perfect medicines, which treat a specific symptom as perfectly as possible and which provide the desired effect for all people, all of the time. Of course neither of these assumptions has ever been objectively established to be true. Instead, it is not so difficult to see that the “one drug fits all” idea arises from adherence to the economic model of the mass market. To sell as much as possible of one product to as many people as possible.
This is why the efficacy of drugs is demonstrated by means of statistics. If the double blind test shows that the drug is working for 89% of the test group we conclude it is working. But what if you are in the non responsive 11%?
In aromatherapy we accommodate our desire to rationalize the effects of essential oils by invoking the pharmacological effects of their components. Which is often convenient since often some of the main components found in essential oils have been researched. But by focusing on the few investigated standard molecules we ignore that the full spectrum of activity of essential oils has remained hidden from the tools of reductionist laboratory science.
And this is the point of departure where the exploration of aromatherapy becomes an exercise much more involved and rewarding than the sometimes drab recitation of the “proven” effects of cineol or linalool, complex as they may be. In future installments I will discuss some of the approaches which are beyond the parameters of orthodox science.
Helichrysum italicum essential oil has been a staple of aromatherapy for the last 20 years at least. It’s anti-inflammative and wound healing properties are without comparison.
In the last years the multinational “L’Occitane” has created a skin care line bas ed on the EO of Helichrysum italicum. Since then, even more so than before, Immortelle, or Helichrysum italicum, has become so sought after that prices have become very solid.
True Helichrysum italicum either originates from the different countries of the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Croatia) and also Corsica. Helichrysum oils designated French are highly spurious. The plant is protected from harvesting in mainland France and it appears that EO of Helichrysum italicum, designated French, is, if nothing else, a blend created in Grasse between Bosnian and Corsican varieties, and then, who knows what? In any case, the oils designated French are typically a bit less expensive than the oils sold at the source. The question remains, how do they do it??
OSA can offer a small quantity of 2010 Corsican Helichrysum italicum from our growing and production contracts on a prerelease basis at a very advantageous price. (Delivery will be by mid September) If you prefer Corsican, the time is now. Please check pricing on the OSA site!
Dear Friend of Aromatherapy,
finally I have made up my mind to entertain this kind of web-based communication. After the release of the Plant Language Course and Kit it has turned out that some topics touched in this work have led to new experiences by some of the most proficient therapists using essential oils, especially in the category of ameliorating the debilitating side effects of conventional cancer treatments. As the opportunity arises I will share the most intersting developments.
In addition you will find here updates on essential oils. This will include simple messages as new and special oils arrrive at Original Swiss Aromatics or other developments relevant to the essential oil user !
Greetings from San Rafael
Kurt Schnaubelt