Welsh Lavender

I just happened upon a website of a small lavender farm in Wales run by a Canadian free-lance journalist named Nancy Durham and her philosopher husband, Bill Newton-Smith. They moved to Britain 26 years ago and split their time between Oxford, where Bill taught, and the home he was restoring in the Maesmynis Valley of Wales.

One day, Nancy looked out their window in Wales and imagined a modest lavender hedge like the one they had in their garden down in Oxford. A friend suggested she apply for a grant from a group that supported local farmers and encouraged diversification. Given that the climate and soil in Wales is a far cry from that of the Mediterranean, many people thought she was crazy, but she applied for and received the grant to plant what became a field of lavender. Neighboring farmers thought for sure the lavender would grow in their rich, red earth even though it wasn't anything like the chalky, lime soil that lavender prefers.

Lavender fields in the Maesmynis Valley, Wales.

Nancy added some lime, marked out her fields, and planted 2000 lavender starts. Although her lavender babies struggled a bit, and looked "droopy", "weak", and "half dead" according to her diary, her farmer friends urged her to persevere. The fields have since survived harsh, snowy winters to flourish and grow. Nancy now has over 9000 lavender plants, mostly of the Maillete and Grosso varieties (Maillette is a cloned true lavender - Lavandula angustifolia - and Grosso is a hybrid Lavandin).

Ruby Lefant

As an experiment, Nancy distilled a small amount of lavender in 2009. Since then, she has purchased a larger still and plans to launch a line of pure, natural skin care products this summer in cooperation with Helen Lowe, who began her cosmetics career with the London herbalist, G. Balwin and Co. According to their website www.welshlavender.com, they are on track to ship to sellers sometime this month (July 2011).

New distillation equipment.

Named after the color of the soil and the Welsh word for lavender, their new venture is named Ruby Lefant. So far, their products will only be available in outlets in the United Kingdom. Unsure if anyone would be interested in buying dried lavender, or items made with locally distilled essential oils, Nancy is surprised and pleased with the willingness of fellow residents to support a hometown business. Now joined in this endeavor by her husband, Bill, their company is one of the only lavender producers in the country of Wales, but others may see their success and follow suit. They were also the first in Wales to distill lavender.

Lavender farming and distillation is a far cry from the exciting world of free-lance journalism that Nancy specializes in. Not only did she report on the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989, the break-up of the Soviet bloc, and the shifting population migration that followed, but she traveled to Iraq in 2004 as a correspondent for CBS television, one year after she planted her lavender fields. Since then, she has also reported from the war in Afghanistan, no doubt returning to her lavender farms as a refuge from the conflict.

Nancy and Bill grow four varieties of lavender: Maillette, a cloned variety of Lavandula angustifolia; Grosso, a type of Lavandula x intermedia (a sterile hybrid of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia grown from cuttings); and two types of true lavender (L. angustifolia) just for sachets and bunches called Royal Purple and Imperial Gem.

What started out as a wistful desire for a short hedge, turned into a full-fledged business that appears to have a bright future. Ruby Lefant and Welsh Lavender, we'll keep an eye on you!

For more information, check out their website at www.welshlavender.com or the following snailmail address:

Nancy Durham and Bill-Newton Smith                                  
Welsh Lavender Limited
Cefnperfedd Uchaf
Maesmynis
Builth Wells, Powys
Wales LD2 3HU
United Kingdom

(No, that's not a typo in the third line. I dare you to try and say it...)

2nd Annual Field Trip to the Lavender Farm in Lincoln, California.

Lesa Hertel explaining distillation.

Our field trip to the lavender farm was rescheduled from June 4th to today, because it was raining at the beginning of June. Here it is, the middle of July, and the temperatures are so moderate that the farm is not able to distill any essential oils yet. Lesa Hertel, one of the owners, explained to us that the plants need to be stressed by some sustained heat to begin producing the oils. She gave us an informative talk about lavender and showed us her little copper still. Then we went out into the fields for a short tour, after which, we grabbed scissors, baskets, hats, and sunscreen, and went out to chop the lavender bunches for our wreaths.

Lavender Maillette

Because of the wet winter, many plants had visible root rot, which Lesa explained had to be cut away. Instead of lush fields with lavender everywhere, there were large gaps in the rows where plants had died or were struggling. Apparently, fungus is one of the worst threats to lavender. The Hertels chose to plant acres of lavender originally because the deer won't eat it and most pests leave it alone. It doesn't require much watering and is almost drought-tolerant after the first year. It seems that is is better to under-water than over-water. Although their fields are on a slope, which probably saved them from a worse loss, the plants were still not happy with the rainy Spring. If you go back to look at  my pictures of last year's field trip, you will see a big difference between the row of Maillette that I photographed this year, and the rows of beautiful foliage from last year.

Donna making her bunches.

There was still plenty of lavender and lavandin for us to cut to make our wreaths, with a lot left out in the fields for the bees and the wreath-makers to come. Here are some examples of our handy work:

Joan in her sunhat, making her wreath.

Me, my wreath, and I.

As I sit here typing at my computer, the scent of lavender fills my office. The wreath I made, mostly from the Maillette, is hanging around the corner in the dining room. Waves of lavender aroma waft through the door periodically to remind me of the fun day we shared. Hopefully, this winter will be a little drier and the Hertel's farm will bounce back to its former lushness. We'll plan on field trip number 3 for June 2012.

Bekkah and Bellah hearing about lavender.

A small amount of distilled oil, Herbs de Provence,
and lavender spray.

Everyone listens intently.

Fennel Essential Oil

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel, native to the Mediterranean region, grows from a bulb to about six feet tall with feathery leaves and golden, flowering umbels characteristic to the apicacea family. There are two varieties of fennel: bitter and sweet. The bitter is generally grown as a perennial and the sweet, which is the preferred form for therapeutic essential oil use, is treated as an annual. The plant grows as tall as six feet and reseeds easily.

Historical use:

Because fennel is plentiful in the Mediterranean regions and has been for millenia, it was used as a vegetable by the ancient Romans and Greeks. Both Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides mentioned its medicinal uses. It was especially noted for its ability to increase the flow of breast milk in lactating women, a use that is still validated today.

Therapeutic uses:

Fennel is especially useful for digestive distress, congested breasts (during lactation), and as an anti-inflammatory. The essential oil has been reported to have a balancing effect on blood sugar levels; may have an effect on cellulite; and helps to repel fleas. As with many essential oils, fennel also has anti-microbial properties. Because fennel essential oil contains estragole, which is similar to estrogen, it has been suggested to avoid its use in cases of estrogen dependent cancer, endometriosis, pregnancy, and epilepsy.

Formulae:

Breast Congestion and Soreness

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare oil: 8-drops

Geranium Pelargonium graveolens or P. odorantissimum oil: 4-drops

Peppermint Mentha piperita oil: 2-drops

Jojoba oil: 1/2-cup

Blend all the oils and bottle in an amber bottle. Shake well and massage into the breast twice a day. Wash the breast well before breast-feeding. Fresh fennel leaves can be also used as a poultice, applied directly to the breasts.

Recipe for Fennel and Zucchini Soup with Warm Tomato Relish

from Epicurious

(try substituting a drop or two of fennel essential oil for the fresh fennel - but be sure to add it close to the end)

Yield: Makes 4 servings
Active Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 cups diced fresh fennel (from 1 large bulb), fronds chopped and reserved
1 cup trimmed diced zucchini
1 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 cups low-salt chicken broth
3/4 cup grape tomatoes, quartered

Preparation:

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add diced fennel, zucchini, onion, and fennel seeds. Sauté until fennel is translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add broth; bring to boil. Cover; reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Puree in blender until smooth; return soup to saucepan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add tomatoes and sauté until just heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in 1 tablespoon chopped fennel fronds; season relish with salt and pepper. Serve soup with relish.

Nutritional Information: Per serving: 118 calories, 8 g fat, 3 g fiber
Nutritional analysis provided by Bon Appétit

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/printerfriendly/Fennel-and-Zucchini-Soup-with-Warm-Tomato-Relish-364537?printFormat=photo#ixzz1KpnldyKc

Essential Oils for Winter

The following appeared on The American College of Health Sciences blog:

As winter unfolds its many surprises--cold temperatures and short, gray days among them--it's a great time to enjoy adding warming and uplifting essential oils into your seasonal blends. Warming essential oils like cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum and ginger Zingiber officinale have fresh, spicy aromas that blend well with citrus oils like grapefruit. Citrus oils are pleasant to use during the winter season because their fresh, uplifting scents can help support healthy emotional well-being.

Air Purification Formula with Cinnamon Essential Oil

• Clove Syzygium aromaticum oil: 3-drops
• Cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum oil: 3-drops
• Lavender Lavandula angustifolia oil: 3-drops
• Peppermint Mentha piperita oil: 3-drops
• Pine Pinus sylvestris oil: 3-drops
• Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis oil: 3-drops
• Thyme Thymus vulgaris oil: 3-drops
• Water (distilled): ½-oz
• Alcohol: ½-oz

Directions: Mix the essential oils with the distilled water and ethyl alcohol in a 1-oz amber bottle. Place in a pump-action atomizer or blend 5-10-drops of each of the oils, and place in a vaporizer.

GIVE THE GIFT OF A HOMEMADE SALT SCRUB

Why use a body scrub? Daily oiling of the body helps to support beautiful skin, and gives it great nourishment. It feeds our body from the outside in, increases circulation, reduces the signs of aging and helps our body to be more "lubricated." Like oiling the tin man -- the more you add oil, the better your joints, muscles, and tendons respond to staying flexible. Nourishing scrubs also assist in tonifying the nervous system (helping to calm you down and focus the mind/body) and the gentle exfoliating feels so good!

Nourishing & Invigorating Body Scrub
 

What you'll need:
-  Any size clean jar, preferably glass. 
-  Fine sea salt
-  Organic almond oil or sunflower seed oil
-  Essential oils of grapefruit, rose geranium, and rosemary (Tri-Doshic blend)-  this blend of oils will generally be good for all constitutions.

Directions:

 
-  Fill jar halfway with sea salt
-  Slowly fill jar with your oil; it takes a little time for the salt to absorb the oil. Poke and stir the oil into the salt with a wooden spoon or chopstick. Once the oil is nicely absorbed into the salt, add a little more salt, and a little more oil (small amounts at a time) until your jar is full. You want a small layer of oil floating above the salt.
-  Add total of 12 drops essential oil per ounce of scrub.  
-  Wipe down the jar, label it with a happy name such as, "I Am Radiant Scrub" and VOILA! 

Use daily or as desired to nourish your skin. Use gentle flowing strokes towards the heart as you scrub. Be careful getting in and out of your bathing environment as it will get a little slippery with the oil.

Optional nourishing oils: Sesame, Gotu Kola infused oil, St. John's Wort infused oil, Calendula infused oil. (If using infused oils;  you can use 10% infused oil added to your primary oil).

Optional Essential Oil Favorites: You should like how this smells!  Find the aromas that make your heart and mind sing. Some favorites are: Vetiver, Red Mandarin, Ginger or Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, and Grapefruit. Use caution with skin irritating oils such as Peppermint, Clove, Cinnamon and Thyme.

From Yoga Journal contribution writer, Stephanie Bernstein, the Founder and CEO of To-Go Ware.  

ANTIVIRAL PROPERTIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS

BY Arianna Staruch, ND, ACHS Academic Dean

Long before the development of antiviral medications, natural support options have been used to address influenza and the common cold. Essential oils are know to have antiviral activity, specifically the monoterpene constituents, such as alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-pinene, p-cymene, terpinen-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, thymol, citral, and 1,8-cineole.  A number of essential oils, including eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), peppermint (Mentha piperita), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) have been found to have antiviral activity against the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.123 

In addition, some essential oils have been tested for specific antiviral activity against the influenza virus. The essential oil of Houttuynia cordata (an Asian plant related to lizard’s tail) was found to have direct inhibitory activity against the influenza virus in vitro by interfering with the function of the viral envelope, which help viruses to enter host cells.4 However, there have not been any clinical trials yet with human subjects to see if these in vitro or animal studies will translate into effective treatment options as compared with antiviral medications.

One of the common occurrences with influenza is fever. Fever is a protective mechanism of the body to increase the activity of the immune cells. However, sometimes fever can be debilitating or even life threatening. Fevers of more than 103° should be addressed quickly with your healthcare provider. Radix bupleuri (bupleurum root) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to address fever, pain, and inflammation associated with influenza or the common cold. A recent study looked at preparing a nasal spray from the essential oil of this herb and tested it in animals for effectiveness. It did show promise as a fever reducer.5 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.

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.

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE SKIN

1. The skin (integumentary system) is the largest organ of the body. (ACHS)

2. The epidermis (top layer of the skin) is thinnest on the eyelids and thickest on the palms and soles of the feet (Wikipedia)

3.The entire epidermis  is replaced by new cell growth over a period of about 48 days. (Lizuka, Hajime (1994) “Epidermal Turnover Time”. Journal of Dermatological Science 8 [3]: 215-218.)

4. We have approximately 1500 sensory receptors in 1 square inch of skin; there are more in the mouth, tongue, and hand than on the back or the calf.  (ACHS)

5. The pH of the outer layer of the skin is usually mildly acidic (5.5) to protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infection. (ACHS)

           

6. 50% of a person’s adipose tissue (fat cells) is found subcutaneously. (ACHS)

7. Vitamin C and copper are important for collagen formation. (ACHS)

8. Hair covers the entire body except the palms, soles, lips, and genitals. (ACHS)

9. The average person has around 5 million hairs on their body, 100,000 of which are on the scalp. (ACHS)

10. When the hair is wet, it can stretch to 1 ½ times its normal length. (ACHS)

11. Nails are hardened keratin (protein) and are created by thickening of the epidermis welding together. (ACHS)

12. Nails lose moisture 100 times faster than the skin. (ACHS)

13. The nails are a window into the body’s health; changes in look, shape, or color may indicate disease. (ACHS)

14. Sweat glands are found all over the body but especially in the palms and the soles of the feet. (ACHS)

15. Sweating eliminates about 1/3 of the body’s waste each day. (ACHS)

16. Harmful ingested substances like aspirin can show up in the skin and hair hours after they are excreted (it can take up to 20 days to be fully eliminated).  (ACHS)

17. Diaper rash and thrush (white patches on the cheeks of the mouth) are caused by yeast (Candidiasis). (WebMD – skin problems)

18. Staph infections of the skin can be contracted by touching athletic equipment, door handles, shopping carts, razors, and towels, and are frequently acquired in gyms and college dorms. (WebMD – skin problems)

19. Roughly 10% of the population suffers from athlete’s foot or nail fungus (Jones, Larissa. P. 289)

20. Americans spend an average of 18 billion dollars annually on skin-related products, including hair care (Cooksley. p.160)

21. Wrinkles are the skin folding in on itself. The collagen becomes criss-crossed and hard, greatly diminishing its ability to retain moisture. (Cooksley, p.164)

22. More than 7,000 Americans every year are “afflicted” with skin cancer. (Cooksley, p. 164.).

23. People with dark skin and hair will generally retain a more youthful appearance than others who have fair skin, freckles, and light colored hair (because their skin is oilier). (Cooksley, p.164.)

24. 90% of the symptoms of aging skin are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, and most of these effects occur before age 20. (http://dermatology.about.com/cs/beauty/a/wrinklecause.htm)

25. The number of epidermal cells decreases by 10% per decade and they divide more slowly as we age, making the skin less able to repair itself quickly. (same source as above)

26. Hair is the only body structure that is completely renewable without scarring. (The Biology of Hair)   

      

27. Hair grows about six inches per year. (The Biology of Hair)

Resources: 

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). Aroma 201 manual. © 2007.

Cooksley, Valerie. Aromatherapy – A Lifetime Guide to Healing With Essential Oils. Prentice-Hall. New Jersey. USA. © 1996.

Jones, Larissa. “Aromatherapy for Body, Mind, and Spirit”. Evergreen Aromatherapy. Salt Lake City, Utah. © Evergreen Aromatherapy, 2001.

Lizuka, Hajime (1994) “Epidermal Turnover Time”. Journal of Dermatological Science 8 (3): 215-218.

The Biology of Hair.  www.dermatology.about.com. Accessed 11/28/2010.

What Causes Wrinkles? http://dermatology.about.com/cs/beauty/a/wrinklecause.htm. Accessed 11/27/2010.

WebMD www.webMD.com/skin-problems. Accessed 11/27/2010.