The Bollocks Page: Books

7. From The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Salvatore Battaglia: pub. The Perfect Potion (Aust) Pty Ltd. 2^nd print 1997.

If we were to list all the errors, we might be here a while. Here is a selection I found in 3 or 4 minutes:

p80. “Sandalwood oil consists almost exclusively of the sesquiterpene alcohol alpha-santalol.” I don’t think so. Maybe 40-45%.

p82. “The most toxic ketones are thujone (no isomers stated) and pinocamphene (should be pinocamphone, again no isomers given).

p91 “This indicates that inflammatory activity, may in part, be caused by action upon oxygen metabolism”. Pretty weird way of putting it – this isn’t a section about respiration!

p97. “Some alcohols are remarkably germicidal, yet exhibit zero toxicity”. Classic howler, but could also be dangerously misleading…

Battaglia on Sandalwood oil: “ ….it has not been possible to confirm its antiseptic properties” (p81). In fact it is not difficult to find information; more recent publications showing broad activity include:

1) Benencia F, Courreges MC (1999) showed Sandalwood oil E.I. inhibited the replication of Herpes simplex viruses -1 & -2 ref: Phytomedicine 1999 May 6(2), 119-23 “Antiviral activity of Sandalwood oil against Herpes simplex viruses-1 and –2” Phytomedicine 6(2),119-23.

2) Sandalwood shows lowest MIC against Candida albicans at 0.06%. Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV (1998) “In-vitro activity of essential oils, in particular Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and tea tree oil products, against Candida spp.” J. Antimicrob Chemother 42(5), 591-5

3) Viollon C, Chaumont J P (1994): anti-fungal activity noted against a Cryptococcus sp.“Antifungal properties of essential oils and their components upon Cryptococcus neoformans.” Mycopathologia 128 (3):151-153.

Battaglia on aldehydes (p81): “The – CHO group….is readily oxidised to the –COOH (carboxylic acid) group, and when this happens heat is given out in the reaction. This is consistent that the observations that essential oils such as lemongrass can be skin irritants if used undiluted”. - ?? - In fact many substances give out heat when oxidised: there is no connection between possible exothermic reactions and irritancy. The aldehyde groups in the two isomers of citral may actually bond to amine groups on dermal proteins, often affecting the rate of evaporation of applied oil from the skin.

p181 Essential oils with a high aldehyde content are “calming and anti-inflammatory.” (- surely not either cassia oil or cinnamon bark oil with 85% cinnamic aldehyde)?? OK, so if we look at 3 oils which have high aldehyde contents:

on p 180 May Chang (Litsea cubeba) listed as very uplifting and stimulating

on p181 Melissa …uplifting and antidepressant properties.

On p155 Lemongrass …its invigorating properties stimulate, revive & energise…

Doesn’t seem too consistent!

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