Re: AT books/herbal constituents

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/20/04 11:07:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,

lynda@... writes:

> Angie-

>

> No, I meant is that Azulene is not present in the plant at all, only

> in the Essential oil. All Essential oils are volatile, that is part of

> the definition of an EO, so many of their constituents, such as

> chamazulene (which is different from azulene) are volatile as well, it

> would stand to reason. As I said in my earlier post, it is the process

> of distillation that is responsible for the formation of azulene in the EO.

>

> HTH-

> Lynda

>

Hi Lynda,

My expertise is not in essential oils....but I've been an herbalist for many

years. This is a subject dear to my heart I've used the whole herb

chamomile (Matricaria recutita) to soothe skin inflammation and stomachache so

know

it's truly a gift The chemical composition, pharmacognosy and pharmacology

of plants is fascinating and I'm a believer in the synergy of plant medicine

I found your comment very interesting and was inspired to do a bit of a

literature review to see what I could find!

I'll post some links to some very interesting articles. It appears that

chamazulene and azulene are pretty much used interchangeably to refer to the

volatile constituent that is derived through steam distillation---or possibly

CO2

extraction.

http://www.herbalgram.org/wholefoodsmarket/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=701

[Chamomile. Chamomile, or more specifically German chamomile, consists of the

dried flower heads of Matricaria recutitaL. (formerly designated M.

chamomilla L. pro parte); it is without question the most enigmatic plant drug.

Designated as the medicinal plant of the year in 1987 in Europe (20) where

scores of

phytomedicinals containing it are used to treat everything from

gastrointestinal spasms to skin irritations, the remedy is known in this country

primarily

as a pleasant-tasting tea. This herb is perhaps the best example of the wide

chasm separating medicinal practice in Western Europe and the United

States.Europeans utilize chamomile internally and externally for its

anti-inflammatory,

antispasmodic, antibacterial, and mild sedative properties. Commission E has

declared it effective for all of these actions except as a sedative (21). A wide

variety of chamomile extracts, tinctures, ointments, and teas is available

commercially in Europe. It is one of the first herbs for which a European

monograph was proposed by the European Scientific ative on Phytotherapy

(22).

The drug is an ancient one, and the literature dealing with it is extensive. A

1986 review of the literature on chamomile and its near relative, Roman

chamomile [Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., formerly designated Anthemis nobilis

L.],

listed 220 references (23).Much of the biological activity of chamomile is

associated with the blue-colored volatile oil yielded by the plant on

distillation in amounts of about 0.5% w/w. The principal anti-inflammatory and

antispasmodic constituents include the terpenoids (-)-a-bisabolol, bisabolol

oxides A

and B, and matricin. The latter colorless compound is converted into the blue

artifact, chamazulene, when the oil is distilled (24). This azulene derivative

also possesses some anti-inflammatory activity. A large number of flavonoids,

including apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, contribute to the

anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of chamomile. Several coumarins,

such as

umbelliferone and its methyl ether, herniarin, also possess antispasmodic

properties

(25). The total effects of the flower head are thus due to a very complex

mixture of polar and nonpolar constituents.Contraindications to the use of

chamomile are not known. Side effects may include allergic reactions, and some

authors place great emphasis on this potential hazard. However, only five such

cases were reported in the literature between 1887 and 1982 (26). Recognizing

that

an estimated 1 million cups of chamomile tea are consumed daily worldwide,

this is indeed a very low incidence of allergenicity (27).]

http://www.dweckdata.com/Lectures/ICE2000_preprint.pdf

It's interesting here to note the similar pharmocology of yarrow (Achillea

millefolium) and German Chamomile.

http://www.dweckdata.com/Published_papers/Cosmeceuticals.pdf

http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/chamomile/chamomile.pdf

http://www.herbalgram.org/wholefoodsmarket/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=701

Angie

The Herbarie

Natural Source Ingredients for Toiletries & Cosmetics

http://www.theherbarie.com

[Guest guest]

Angie-

And I am just the opposite! :-D I know EOs, but not a heck of a lot

about herbs. I am kinda pressed for time this morning, I have to get

over and get a chest Xray this morning before I go for my pulmonology

appointment this afternoon, but I will reply later, if you don't mind.

Best wishes-

Lynda

AngiesHerbarie@... wrote:

>In a message dated 1/20/04 11:07:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,

>lynda@... writes:

>

>

>

>>Angie-

>>

>>No, I meant is that Azulene is not present in the plant at all, only

>>in the Essential oil. All Essential oils are volatile, that is part of

>>the definition of an EO, so many of their constituents, such as

>>chamazulene (which is different from azulene) are volatile as well, it

>>would stand to reason. As I said in my earlier post, it is the process

>>of distillation that is responsible for the formation of azulene in the EO.

>>

>>HTH-

>>Lynda

>>

>>

>>

>

>Hi Lynda,

>My expertise is not in essential oils....but I've been an herbalist for many

>years. This is a subject dear to my heart I've used the whole herb

>chamomile (Matricaria recutita) to soothe skin inflammation and stomachache so

know

>it's truly a gift The chemical composition, pharmacognosy and pharmacology

>of plants is fascinating and I'm a believer in the synergy of plant medicine

> I found your comment very interesting and was inspired to do a bit of a

>literature review to see what I could find!

>

>I'll post some links to some very interesting articles. It appears that

>chamazulene and azulene are pretty much used interchangeably to refer to the

>volatile constituent that is derived through steam distillation---or possibly

CO2

>extraction.

>

>

>

>http://www.herbalgram.org/wholefoodsmarket/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=701

>

>[Chamomile. Chamomile, or more specifically German chamomile, consists of the

>dried flower heads of Matricaria recutitaL. (formerly designated M.

>chamomilla L. pro parte); it is without question the most enigmatic plant drug.

>Designated as the medicinal plant of the year in 1987 in Europe (20) where

scores of

>phytomedicinals containing it are used to treat everything from

>gastrointestinal spasms to skin irritations, the remedy is known in this

country primarily

>as a pleasant-tasting tea. This herb is perhaps the best example of the wide

>chasm separating medicinal practice in Western Europe and the United

>States.Europeans utilize chamomile internally and externally for its

anti-inflammatory,

>antispasmodic, antibacterial, and mild sedative properties. Commission E has

>declared it effective for all of these actions except as a sedative (21). A

wide

>variety of chamomile extracts, tinctures, ointments, and teas is available

>commercially in Europe. It is one of the first herbs for which a European

>monograph was proposed by the European Scientific ative on Phytotherapy

(22).

>The drug is an ancient one, and the literature dealing with it is extensive. A

>1986 review of the literature on chamomile and its near relative, Roman

>chamomile [Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., formerly designated Anthemis nobilis

L.],

>listed 220 references (23).Much of the biological activity of chamomile is

>associated with the blue-colored volatile oil yielded by the plant on

>distillation in amounts of about 0.5% w/w. The principal anti-inflammatory and

>antispasmodic constituents include the terpenoids (-)-a-bisabolol, bisabolol

oxides A

>and B, and matricin. The latter colorless compound is converted into the blue

>artifact, chamazulene, when the oil is distilled (24). This azulene derivative

>also possesses some anti-inflammatory activity. A large number of flavonoids,

>including apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, contribute to the

>anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of chamomile. Several coumarins,

such as

>umbelliferone and its methyl ether, herniarin, also possess antispasmodic

properties

>(25). The total effects of the flower head are thus due to a very complex

>mixture of polar and nonpolar constituents.Contraindications to the use of

>chamomile are not known. Side effects may include allergic reactions, and some

>authors place great emphasis on this potential hazard. However, only five such

>cases were reported in the literature between 1887 and 1982 (26). Recognizing

that

>an estimated 1 million cups of chamomile tea are consumed daily worldwide,

>this is indeed a very low incidence of allergenicity (27).]

>

>http://www.dweckdata.com/Lectures/ICE2000_preprint.pdf

>

>

>It's interesting here to note the similar pharmocology of yarrow (Achillea

>millefolium) and German Chamomile.

>http://www.dweckdata.com/Published_papers/Cosmeceuticals.pdf

>

>

>http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/chamomile/chamomile.pdf

>

>

>http://www.herbalgram.org/wholefoodsmarket/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=701

>

>

>Angie

>

>The Herbarie

>Natural Source Ingredients for Toiletries & Cosmetics

>http://www.theherbarie.com

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Angie-

Okay, back from my long day of running around town to the doctors!

Before I left this morning, I sent emails to two friends who have great

knowledge and good standing in the AT community, just to see if I was,

perhaps, wrong. My husband says that hasn't happened yet, but you just

never know! :-D I asked the two of them basically not because I really

did think I was wrong - because the azulene bit not being present in the

plant material is something every beginning AT student learns - but

because I didn't have the argument to refute it.

The first answer is from Dr. Rob Pappas, from EO University. Rob has

spent many years analyzing the chemical compositions of various EOs, it

is his field of expertise and he really knows his stuff. Here is his

(short) reply to me this morning-

> Hi Lynda,

>

> Azulene and Chamazulene are not the same molecule and neither is

> present in the virgin plant material.

>

> Hope this helps,

>

> Rob

I also asked Watt. started out as a trained medical

herbalist or phytotherapist in the UK (take a look at his website at

www.aromamedical.com) and got into Essential Oils from there. He is a

well-known author and speaker, and has his own AT training course.

has a much longer reply- (parts from my question to him are in

the points)

> Hi Lynda,

>

>

>

> >> She maintains that azulene and chamazulene are the same thing,<

>

> Kind of but not quiet accurate in that there are several azulene's

> and also several different isomers of chamazulene. That of course

> complicates things chemically in that it makes generalizations

> difficult to make.

>

> >> and that therefore azulene is present in the virgin plant

> >> material<

>

> That is definitely wrong, see the attached extracts from my database.

> As to if the use of the herb has the same effects as the oil then

> that is another issue. The stomach will produce chamazulene from a

> herb tea or tincture because the stomach is a hot chemical

> transformation factory. However, give me a herb tea or tincture for

> internal use any day to the essential oil. Two reasons: 1. The oil

> represents only a small part of the chemicals in the herb. 2. German

> chamomile is commonly adulterated.

>

> Hope that helps a bit -see below =========================

> GERMAN CHAMOMILE COMPOSITION: The blue colour is indicative of the

> chamazulene content which can range from 3-20% of the oil. The

> Azulene's are naturally derived chemicals created by hot distillation

> from the colourless prochamazulene occurring in the plant. Other

> substances of major importance are a-bisabolol and its oxides, which

> can constitute up to 50% of the oil but averages 17-25%.

> trans-beta-farnesene can range from 3-25%. The oil also contains

> traces of other substances with known therapeutic actions.

>

> The highest content of essential oil and azulenic substances were

> found in ripe flower heads. Prochamazulene and chamazulene were found

> in all samples. The former is destroyed on storage. Incorrectly

> stored, it very rapidly loose azulenic matter. Branka A. et al.

> 1960. Farm. Glasnik.16. 419-23.

>

> The chemical composition of flowers from wild and cultivated M.

> chamomilla in Turkey, found the wild samples contained little or no

> prochamazulene and therefore little if any chamazulene. Tanker M. et

> al. 1977. Doga. 1.2. 25-9. (Turkish).

>

> The ontogenetic variability of the *essential oil* was examined in 4

> chamomile cultivars. The highest oil content occurred in fully

> developed flowers, approx 1 week after the beginning of flowering.

> The composition of the oil depended on the stage of flower

> development. Flower buds contained more hydrocarbon and (-)

> -a-bisabolol, in comparison to the other developmental phases; the

> chamazulene and (-)-a-bisabolol oxides contents increased during

> development. Franz Ch. Herba hung. 1979.18 (3), 317-21. NOTE this

> refers to oil produced from the plant, not the oil in the plant

> tissues.

>

> The azulenes in essential oils-a review with 14 refs. R.

> 1957. Pharm. J. 179. 135.

>

Also, if you read what you sent this morning more carefully, you will

see that it says that:

> Much of the biological activity of chamomile is associated with the

> blue-colored volatile oil yielded by the plant on distillation in

> amounts of about 0.5% w/w. ...The latter colorless compound is

> converted into the blue artifact, chamazulene, when the oil is

> distilled (24). This azulene derivative also possesses some

> anti-inflammatory activity.

Note that they say: " ...yielded by the plant on distillation..., " and

" when the oil is distilled. "

The monographs by the German Commision E are excellent resources for

information for the HERBS, but please remember that in many cases the

herbs and the EO are quite, quite different, and that the mistake of

many of the early authors on EOs and AT was to treat them as if they

were one and the same.

Other good examples of this are Sassafras herb and Sassafras EO.

Sassafras herb is relatively safe, Sassafras EO is a hepatocarcinogen,

and in a few cases the ingestion of only a few drops of the EO has been

fatal, causing CNS depression, vomiting and nausea. Mustard EO is

considered a toxin. Parsley EO, ditto. Horseradish EO.

HTH, and I have been enjoying the conversation-

Lynda

AngiesHerbarie@... wrote:

> In a message dated 1/20/04 11:07:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> lynda@... writes:

>

> > Angie-

> >

> > No, I meant is that Azulene is not present in the plant at all,

> > only in the Essential oil. All Essential oils are volatile, that

> > is part of the definition of an EO, so many of their constituents,

> > such as chamazulene (which is different from azulene) are volatile

> > as well, it would stand to reason. As I said in my earlier post,

> > it is the process of distillation that is responsible for the

> > formation of azulene in the EO.

> >

> > HTH- Lynda

> >

>

> Hi Lynda, My expertise is not in essential oils....but I've been an

> herbalist for many years. This is a subject dear to my heart I've

> used the whole herb chamomile (Matricaria recutita) to soothe skin

> inflammation and stomachache so know it's truly a gift The

> chemical composition, pharmacognosy and pharmacology of plants is

> fascinating and I'm a believer in the synergy of plant medicine I

> found your comment very interesting and was inspired to do a bit of a

> literature review to see what I could find!

>

> I'll post some links to some very interesting articles. It appears

> that chamazulene and azulene are pretty much used interchangeably to

> refer to the volatile constituent that is derived through steam

> distillation---or possibly CO2 extraction.

>

>

>

>

http://www.herbalgram.org/wholefoodsmarket/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=701

>

>

> [Chamomile. Chamomile, or more specifically German chamomile,

> consists of the dried flower heads of Matricaria recutitaL. (formerly

> designated M. chamomilla L. pro parte); it is without question the

> most enigmatic plant drug. Designated as the medicinal plant of the

> year in 1987 in Europe (20) where scores of phytomedicinals

> containing it are used to treat everything from gastrointestinal

> spasms to skin irritations, the remedy is known in this country

> primarily as a pleasant-tasting tea. This herb is perhaps the best

> example of the wide chasm separating medicinal practice in Western

> Europe and the United States.Europeans utilize chamomile internally

> and externally for its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic,

> antibacterial, and mild sedative properties. Commission E has

> declared it effective for all of these actions except as a sedative

> (21). A wide variety of chamomile extracts, tinctures, ointments, and

> teas is available commercially in Europe. It is one of the first

> herbs for which a European monograph was proposed by the European

> Scientific ative on Phytotherapy (22). The drug is an ancient

> one, and the literature dealing with it is extensive. A 1986 review

> of the literature on chamomile and its near relative, Roman chamomile

> [Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., formerly designated Anthemis nobilis

> L.], listed 220 references (23).Much of the biological activity of

> chamomile is associated with the blue-colored volatile oil yielded by

> the plant on distillation in amounts of about 0.5% w/w. The principal

> anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents include the

> terpenoids (-)-a-bisabolol, bisabolol oxides A and B, and matricin.

> The latter colorless compound is converted into the blue artifact,

> chamazulene, when the oil is distilled (24). This azulene derivative

> also possesses some anti-inflammatory activity. A large number of

> flavonoids, including apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, contribute

> to the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of chamomile.

> Several coumarins, such as umbelliferone and its methyl ether,

> herniarin, also possess antispasmodic properties (25). The total

> effects of the flower head are thus due to a very complex mixture of

> polar and nonpolar constituents.Contraindications to the use of

> chamomile are not known. Side effects may include allergic reactions,

> and some authors place great emphasis on this potential hazard.

> However, only five such cases were reported in the literature between

> 1887 and 1982 (26). Recognizing that an estimated 1 million cups of

> chamomile tea are consumed daily worldwide, this is indeed a very low

> incidence of allergenicity (27).]

>

> http://www.dweckdata.com/Lectures/ICE2000_preprint.pdf

>

>

> It's interesting here to note the similar pharmocology of yarrow

> (Achillea millefolium) and German Chamomile.

> http://www.dweckdata.com/Published_papers/Cosmeceuticals.pdf

>

>

> http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/chamomile/chamomile.pdf

>

>

>

http://www.herbalgram.org/wholefoodsmarket/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=701

>

>

>

> Angie

>

> The Herbarie Natural Source Ingredients for Toiletries & Cosmetics

> http://www.theherbarie.com

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynda,

Plants and their constituents are fascinating and at the molecular level are

very complex.

> >>>She maintains that azulene and chamazulene are the same thing,<

Actually, this is what I said previously:

" It appears that chamazulene and azulene are pretty much used interchangeably

to refer to the volatile constituent that is derived through steam

distillation---or possibly CO2 extraction. "   

appears to be a wise man Here are his comments:

> >

> > Kind of but not quiet accurate in that there are several azulene's

> > and also several different isomers of chamazulene. That of course

> > complicates things chemically in that it makes generalizations

> > difficult to make.

> >

> >>>and that therefore azulene is present in the virgin plant

> >>>material<

> >

> > That is definitely wrong, see the attached extracts from my database.

>

>

Hmmm. Here's an excerpt from an article on Chamomile by :

" Azulenes, a group of chemical components found in both species of chamomile,

possess experimental antiallergenic activity (Farnsworth and , 1972;

Mann and Staba, 1986). "

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style= " BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: > > As

to if the use of the herb has the same effects as the oil then

> > that is another issue. The stomach will produce chamazulene from a

> > herb tea or tincture because the stomach is a hot chemical

> > transformation factory. However, give me a herb tea or tincture for

> > internal use any day to the essential oil. Two reasons: 1. The oil

> > represents only a small part of the chemicals in the herb. 2. German

> > chamomile is commonly adulterated.

I agree wholeheartedly that the whole herb and the essential oil of the herb

cannot/should not be utilized in the same way. I agree with , the

chamomile herb tea or possibly a tincture is excellent for internal use.

> >

> > Hope that helps a bit -see below =========================

> > GERMAN CHAMOMILE COMPOSITION: The blue colour is indicative of the

> > chamazulene content which can range from 3-20% of the oil. The

> > Azulene's are naturally derived chemicals created by hot distillation

> > from the colourless prochamazulene occurring in the plant. Other

> > substances of major importance are a-bisabolol and its oxides, which

> > can constitute up to 50% of the oil but averages 17-25%.

> > trans-beta-farnesene can range from 3-25%. The oil also contains

> > traces of other substances with known therapeutic actions.

> >

> > The highest content of essential oil and azulenic substances were

> > found in ripe flower heads. Prochamazulene and chamazulene were found

> > in all samples. The former is destroyed on storage. Incorrectly

> > stored, it very rapidly loose azulenic matter. Branka A. et al.

> > 1960. Farm. Glasnik.16. 419-23.

> >

> > The chemical composition of flowers from wild and cultivated M.

> > chamomilla in Turkey, found the wild samples contained little or no

> > prochamazulene and therefore little if any chamazulene. Tanker M. et

> > al. 1977. Doga. 1.2. 25-9. (Turkish).

> >

> > The ontogenetic variability of the *essential oil* was examined in 4

> > chamomile cultivars. The highest oil content occurred in fully

> > developed flowers, approx 1 week after the beginning of flowering.

> > The composition of the oil depended on the stage of flower

> > development. Flower buds contained more hydrocarbon and (-)

> > -a-bisabolol, in comparison to the other developmental phases; the

> > chamazulene and (-)-a-bisabolol oxides contents increased during

> > development. Franz Ch. Herba hung. 1979.18 (3), 317-21. NOTE this

> > refers to oil produced from the plant, not the oil in the plant

> > tissues.

> >

> > The azulenes in essential oils-a review with 14 refs. R.

> > 1957. Pharm. J. 179. 135.

Good information! Thank you!

> >

>

> Also, if you read what you sent this morning more carefully, you will

> see that it says that:

>

> > Much of the biological activity of chamomile is associated with the

> > blue-colored volatile oil yielded by the plant on distillation in

> > amounts of about 0.5% w/w. ...The latter colorless compound is

> > converted into the blue artifact, chamazulene, when the oil is

> > distilled (24). This azulene derivative also possesses some

> > anti-inflammatory activity.

>

> Note that they say: " ...yielded by the plant on distillation..., " and

> " when the oil is distilled. "

Exactly. Yielded by the plant upon distillation. Azulene and chamazulene

have a similar chemical structure. Most of the references site azulene being a

precurser to chamazulene which is yielded by the plant upon distillation. But,

again, I've seen reliable sources refer to both of these constituents.

>

> The monographs by the German Commision E are excellent resources for

> information for the HERBS, but please remember that in many cases the

> herbs and the EO are quite, quite different, and that the mistake of

> many of the early authors on EOs and AT was to treat them as if they

> were one and the same.

Oh, absolutely! As you say, herbs that are quite safe to use " whole " or

through infusion or tincture are NOT safe to use as essential oils. An excellent

point!

Thanks so much for sharing the information from . He is a wonderful

resource!

Angie

The Herbarie

Natural Source Ingredients for Toiletries & Cosmetics

http://www.theherbarie.com