The Mapping of Lavander - Essay Example

The Mapping of Lavandula Augustifolia (Lavender) Essential Oil Within the Human Body Introduction Lavender is indigenous to the Alpine slopes of France and Switzerland, in the Western Mediterranean coast and to North Africa. Lavender has been the mainstay of the perfume industry for a long time. The Lavender family yields three types of essential oils (Guenther, E 1948). Lavender oil is produced from Lavandula Augustifolia, a hybrid of Lavandula Augustifolia and Lavandula Latifolia yields Lavandin and Lavandula Latifolia yields Spike Lavender oil (Boelens, MH 1986). Lavender oil is considerably more expensive than either Lavandin or Spike Lavender oil. The worldwide annual production of Lavender oil is approximately 200 tonnes as compared to the production of Lavandin, which stands at 1000 tonnes (Hussain, A 1988). A good genotype of Lavandula Augustifolia will contain upto to three percent of oil (Bisset NL 1994, pp 292-294). Origin of Lavender as a medicine Throughout history, lavender was a commodity priced by all sections of the society. Lavender was used in England as a headache remedy and as an aphrodisiac (Arctander, S 1960). In Tuscany, lavender was used to remove the “evil eye” and was burnt to keep away the evil spirits (Arctander et al 1990). The ancient Egyptians used lavender as a perfume. The Athenians and Spartans used lavender to scent their water. Lavender is arguably the most popular essential oil in aromatherapy; physicians have used it for hundreds of years for various purposes such as its sedative and disinfectant properties. It has also been used as an air freshening agent. Lavender has been used to treat medical conditions such as acne, migraines (Leung AY 1980), diabetes (Gamez MJ 1987, pp 706), common cold (Abulafaith HA 1987, pp 354) and excessive menstrual flow (San Martin JA 1983, pp 216). Cultivation of Lavender Lavender plants have roots that penetrate deep into the soil and can tolerate both moderate frost as well as moderate drought (Beetham, J & Entwistle, T 1982). The plant requires much lesser water as compared to most essential oil bearing plants. It requires an ideal soil pH value of 7, but successful crops have been harvested in soil conditions having pH ranging from 5.7 to 8.1 (Lammerink, J & Wallace, AR & Porter, NG 1989). Known genetic sources have to be identified in the winter for taking the cuttings for the new season. It is imperative to obtain samples of the ideal genotype as even minor variations produce a conspicuous difference in the quality of the lavender oil (Lawrence, BM 1979). The average age of the lavender plant is ten to fifteen years after which we may have to replace the plants. Epiphyas Postvittana (light brown apple moth) and Melodogyne Hapla (a soil nematode) are the primary pests afflicting the lavender plant (Lawrence, BM 1980). Weeds pose a significantly higher problem than pests as the lavender plant loses out on water and nutrients (Lawrence, BM 1982). Extraction of Lavandula from the Lavender flower The flowering stems of the lavender plant yield the essential oil (Lawrence, BM 1986). The oil is extracted from the stems by using either the steam distillation method or the solvent extraction method. In the steam distillation method, water is heated to form steam, which is passed through the lavender stems. The steam causes the separation of the essential oil from the glands in the lavender stem (Rouzet, M 1984). This steam is later cooled and the lavender oil is extracted from the distilled water. Steam distillation is often used to extract lavender oil (Lawrence, BM 1985). One steam distillation plant can service multiple crops of lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint. The steam distillation equipment is cost effective and easy to maintain (Lawrence, BM 1986). The solvent extraction method is used to produce concretes and absolutes. The plant material is dissolved in various industrial solvents like hexane, petroleum ether and toluene. The solvents are dried off at a later stage to leave a solid residue called the concrete that finds application in the fragrance industry (especially soaps)(McLeod J 1994). To get an absolute, the concrete is mixed with ethanol after which the ethanol is evaporated leaving behind the absolute. The absolute is used in producing fine perfumes. Only 50% of the concrete is finally available as the absolute (Lawrence, BM 1980). Various techniques like gas chromatography and spectrographs are available that will accurately determine the purity of the extracted oil and identify the unwanted impurities (Boelens, M.H 1986). Olfaction and Aromatherapy Olfaction is one of the means by which the lavender essential oil is conveyed inside the human body. Chemicals activate smelling ability or olfaction. Scent molecules enter the nose due to the breathing action of the individual. They enter the olfactory epithelium behind the nasal cavity where they convey their smell to the nerve cells (Buckle, J 2001). How this transduction or transfer occurs is unknown. As compared to the other sense organs like sight, touch and taste, the aroma or the smell is processed in a different manner. The nerve cells or the neurons from the olfactory epithelium convey the information on the aroma detected in the nasal cavity directly to the temporal lobe in the brain (Buckle, J 2001). These smells detected in the nasal cavity then activate the various endocrine glands in the human body causing it to respond in a specific manner to a specific aroma. To a certain extent, we can therefore use smell to control the way our body behaves. Smell or aroma also triggers recollections of various memories stored in the brain along with their corresponding emotions (Rouzet, M 1984). So a particular aroma will affect all persons in a specific fashion through their endocrine glands but will affect each individual in a unique fashion through the recollection of their memories. Inhalation and Aromatherapy Inhalation is another delivery mechanism used by an aromatherapist to convey the essential oil to the human body. Many aromatherapists use inhalation to treat their patients as there are numerous ways by which inhalation can be facilitated. The quickest way to provide relief is to ask the patient to inhale the scent himself. Alternatively the environment of the patient can be treated with the essential oil, this will deliver the essential oil to the patient’s body but in a much more gradual fashion as compared to direct inhalation (Abulafaith HA. 1987). Today we have many alternative methods to deliver the essential oil, like use of oil vaporisers, potpourri, oil diffusers or smelling the fragrance directly from the bottle or through a cotton ball soaked with the oil. Potpourri is a combination of different aromatic substances generally heated to infuse the air with a pleasing aromatic blend. Vaporiser is a device used for converting liquid to gaseous form for inhalation. This is a particularly effective method as the traces of lavender directly reach the lungs from where it is quickly transferred to the blood stream (Arctander et al 1990). External Application and Aromatherapy External application is an important delivery mechanism of Aromatherapy. External application consists of Massage therapy using various essential oils, Aromatic baths etc. The main aim of external application is to deliver the essential oil to the human body through the skin (Bisset NL 1994). Massages and aromatic baths are the delivery instruments of choice in external application. For massage therapy, an appropriately diluted essential oil must be used. This is obtained by diluting the essential oil; chosen as the remedy with a carrier oil (Beetham, J & Entwistle, T 1982). The main job of the carrier oil is to dilute the essential oil chosen by the aromatherapist. Therefore it is important that the carrier oil does not have any kind of aroma that will interfere with the essential oil. The second delivery instrument is the aromatic bath. We can either directly introduce the essential oil into the bath or we can use bath salts scented with the essential oil. The appropriate method of preparing the aromatic bath depends upon the quantity of essential oil to be introduced (Lammerink ,J & Wallace, AR & Porter ,NG 1989). Olfaction, Inhalation and Absorption It is important to understand the differences between olfaction, inhalation and absorption. Olfaction refers to the discrimination of a particular odour. In aromatherapy it refers to the effect that the aroma has on the limbic centre of the human brain and its consequent effect on the endocrine glands and memory centre (Buckle, J 2001). During inhalation, the scent molecules carrying the aroma of the essential oils pass from the nasal cavity to the lungs. From the pulmonary alveoli, the scent molecules are transferred to the blood stream along with oxygen. These scent molecules are lipid soluble (Buckle, J 2001), hence are capable of passing through the semi permeable membrane of the cells in the alveoli and the bloodstream. They are conveyed from the alveoli to the blood stream along with oxygen when the exchange of gases takes place in the lungs During absorption, the skin is usually massaged with lavender oil. The oil enters the blood stream through the skin. Here the absorption is slower but the topical application of the lavender oil directly into the affected area sometimes provides pharmacological relief (Mizrahi I et al 1970). Lavender and its Metabolisation in the Human Body Lavender oil is a complex mixture of over 150 chemicals and is metabolised rapidly by the human body (Porter, N.G & Shaw, M.L. & Hurndell, LC.1982). Little is known about the exact metabolisation mechanism of lavender apart from the fact that it is enzymatic. The speed of metabolisation depends upon the delivery mechanism used to introduce the lavender oil in the human body. Inhalation is the fastest as the lavender oil is directly introduced into the lungs from where it almost instantaneously appears in the blood stream. Subcutaneous absorption or the delivery of lavender oil through the skin also results in traces of the essential oil appearing in the blood stream within five minutes of application. More importantly all the traces of the lavender oil were excreted by the human body within 90 minutes (Jager W et al 1992, pp 54). The lavender oil subjected to enzymatic reactions, which break down the lavender oil into linaloyl acetate and linalool (Bisset NL 1994). These two compounds are thought to be responsible for the medicinal properties of Lavandula Augustifolia. Apart from these two compounds beta oximene, various tannins, caproic acid, cineole, camphor and limonene are found in the blood stream after the metabolisation of lavender oil. The exact concentrations of these chemicals is far from exact and vary widely as per the breed and genotype of lavender being considered. However, Brandao FM 1986, Rademaker M 1994 and Schaler M et al 1995 have outlined instances of allergic dermatitis due to contact with lavender oil. These however are isolated instances as lavender is used extensively in the fragrance industry. In certain parts of the world, it is also used as a spice. There are no reported cases of lavender related diseases. Both lavender absolute and lavandin are used extensively in massage oils and there are no reports of either skin irritations or heightened sensitivity (Leung AY 1980). Environmental Factors and Lavender Oil Lavender oil is affected by the environmental factors at various stages like storage and transport. Hence these factors have to be carefully monitored to avoid wastage. Storage of lavender oil is particularly important, as its price is prone to fluctuations thus necessitating storage (Porter, N.G & Shaw, M.L. & Hurndell, LC 1982). The most important aspect of storage is the container used to store the lavender oil. It is essential to choose the correct size of the container because during storage of lavender oil for an extended duration we should avoid any residual atmosphere in the container. This is done either by filling the container to the brim with lavender oil or by filling in nitrogen to reduce the volume of trapped air in the container. The container should be inert to the lavender oil. Stainless steel and glass are two such materials. However for large scale operations, stainless steel containers are not economically viable, hence galvanized steel is the material of choice for lavender oil containers. The storage area is another place where precautions have to be followed. Excessive heat, cold or static electricity discharges should be avoided. Gloves should be used while handling containers during transportation. Lavender oil should not be exposed to the atmosphere or any oxidizing agent to avoid wastage. Conclusion Lavender has a rich history. Man has used it for multiple purposes for hundreds of years. It occupies an important place in today’s fragrance and perfume industry. Lavenders are also popular as ornamental plants as they are hardy plants, which do not need much care. In aromatherapy, lavender occupies a special place due to its multiple uses in combating a variety of illnesses. It has beneficial effects on patients suffering from diabetes (Buckle, J 2001 ). We have studied the various means by which we can introduce lavender into the human body and the consequent metabolisation of the lavender oil in the human body. REFERENCES Abulafaith HA. 1987 Econ Bot pp 41 Arctander, S 1960 Perfume and flavor materials of natural origin. Arctander et al 1990 Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials - Preparation, Properties and Uses. VCH Beetham, J & Entwistle, T 1982 The cultivated lavenders Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Bisset NL 1994 Lavandula Floes Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, CRC Press, Stuttgart, Germany Boelens, M.H 1986 The essential oil of spike lavender. Denny E.F.K. Lavender production at the Bridestowe state, Nabowla Tasmania. Pamphlet. Guenther, E. 1948 The Essential Oils. Vol.1 & 3 Krieger Hussain, A 1988 Major essential oil-bearing plants of India. Inst. of Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India Lammerink ,J & Wallace, AR & Porter ,NG 1989 Effects of harvest times and post harvest drying on oil from lavandin. NZ J. Crop & Hort. Science Vol 17. Lawrence, BM 1979 Progress in essential oils. Perfumer 4(6). Lawrence , BM 1980 New trends in essential oils Perfumer and Flavorist 5(4). Lawrence , BM 1982 Progress in essential oils. Perfumer and Flavorist 7. Lawrence, BM 1985 A review of the world production of essential oils - 1984. Perfumer and Flavorist 10(5). Lawrence , B.M 1986 Progress in essential oils. Perfumer and Flavorist 11(5). Leung AY 1980 . Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. J Wiley and Sons McLeod J 1994 Lavender Sweet Lavender,. Kangaroo Press. Mizrahi I et al 1970 Perfumery & Cosmetics pp 388. Porter, N.G & Shaw, M.L. & Hurndell, LC.1982 Preliminary studies of lavender as an essential crop for New Zealand. NZ. J. of Agric Research Vol 25. Rouzet, M 1984 Lab Pharma Probl Tech, Jun, pp 462-66 Buckle, J 2001 Aromatherapy and diabetes, Diabetes Spectrum, 14(3),124–126. Read More