The Bollocks Page: Books

10. Julia Lawless “The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils – the complete guide to the use of oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism” pub Element 1995.

Various individuals have alleged in private conversations that in her publications, Lawless often confuses the therapeutic properties of the herb with those of the oil. It was interesting to take the opportunity to look into one particular entry (from a lead given by Cindie at DropofGold@aol.com), and see if this view can be substantiated.

Under Guaiacwood (Bulnesia sarmienti) p99 Lawless states that the gum and resin from the related trees Guaiacum offiicinale and Guaiacum sanctum, are “somewhat similar products and share common properties” (to Guaiacwood oil)¹. This is a somewhat surprising view, possibly not shared by anyone else on the planet, and Leung and Foster (1996) page 292-3 clearly state “Guaiacwood oil is different from guaiac resin or guaiac gum products”. Yet in other respects much of Lawless’s monograph appears very similar to the text cited in Leung & Foster (1996) page 292-3 – including some rather unedifying remarks about perfumery uses. However Leung and Foster do indicate that it is the wood (i.e. not the oil) which is used in supportive therapy for rheumatic complaints, and gives a reference to a German therapeutic monograph. Further, Leung and Foster do indicate anti-oxidant properties for Guaiacwood oil, especially in foodstuffs, something also identically reported by Lawless. Of the therapeutic effects:

· Lawless says of Guaiacwood oil: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antirhematic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative.

· Wren (1988) p.136 says of Guaiacum gum/resin anti-inflammatory, diuretic, diaphoretic mild laxative. Used mainly for rheumatic pain and gout”.

· Newall et al. (1996) p. 156 states for Guaiacum resin : “antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, mild laxative, and diaphoretic properties. Traditionally it has been used for subacute rheumatism….gout, specifically for chronic rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis”.

· The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (1990) indicates that the action of Guaiacum resin is anti-inflammatory. Newell (1996) et al. say conversely that there is no scientific evidence of anti-rheumatic or inflammatory action, and warn that individuals with a history of allergy, hypersensitivity etc should avoid the product. Newell also warns of the lack of safety data on during pregnancy and lactation.

· The German E Commission Monographs remark for Guaiac Wood

(Guaiacum officinale or G. sanctum) “supportive therapy for rheumatic complaints”. They also indicate that the essential oil known as “guaiac wood oil” must be evaluated separately.

· The anti-inflammatory compound guaiazulene is synthetically prepared from guaiaol, which occurs as a major component in guaiacwood oil (to 70% +). This does not mean of course that guaiacwood oil itself necessarily possesses anti-inflammatory properties in its’ own right.

· Guafenesin, believed to have been isolated from guaiacwood tree bark (subject to confirmation by the author) has been used to treat pain in fibromyalgia patients, but its’ more conventional therapeutic use is as an expectorant

· Duwiejua et al (1994) demonstrate that extracts of G. officinale contain anti-inflammatory substances, as demonstrated in rat paw oedema trials.

There is some ethnobotanical evidence that native S. American peoples may have used guaiacwood extracts from Bulnesia sarmienti to treat syphilis.

I believe the conclusion is that Guaiacwood oil may certainly have anti-oxidant properties, but therapeutic claims for other properties presently have little scientific basis.

¹Notes: from what is known of the constituents of guaiacum gum and resin, and guaiacwood oil, it is clear that there is virtually no chemical similarity between the two whatsoever.

References:

Duwiejua M, Zeitlin IJ, Waterman PG, & Gray AI. (1994) “Anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum bistorta, Guaiacum officinale and Hamamelis virginiana in rats.” J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 46(4), 286-90.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1990 Vol 1 pub British Herbal Medicine Association Bornemouth, England.

"The Complete German Commission E monographs/ Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines" Senior ed. Mark Blumenthal pub. American Botanical Council, Austin, Texas 1998.

Leung A. Y. & Foster S. “Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients ued in Food Drugs & Cosmetics” 2^nd edn. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 1996.

Newell C.A., Anderson L.A., Phillipson J.D. “Herbal Medicines – a Guide for Health-Care Professionals” Pharmaceutcal Press, London 1996.

Wren R.C. “Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations” C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd. Saffron Walden 1988.

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