FW: Australasian College Email Reporter March 2000

[Guest guest]

Hello to All!

 

I received this and thought I would pass it on for those who might be

interested in looking at what one school of Aromatherapy offers. If

this is inappropriate, please e-mail me privately. I have no special

interest in this school. I just happen to received their monthly

Reports on-line.

 

Best to All, Lynn

 

 

Australasian College [achs]

Sunday, March 05, 2000 5:49 PM

Australasian College Email Reporter March 2000

 

In this Issue:

**March Special Program Package**

**Residential Certificate in Aromatherapy starting May 3**

**FREE 3 hour Introduction to Aromatherapy Class!**

**$25 Gift Certificate Winner**

**Provence Summer School**

**AM Northwest**

**Calendar**

**Research News: Can Nutrition Help Violent and Disruptive Behavior in

Children?**

**Email Etiquette**

**Weighty Issues Continued: Fiber**

**FDA Public Health Advisory - St John's Wort Interaction with

Prescription Drugs

**Congratulations to Our Recent Graduates**

**Student Comments and Suggestions**

 

**March Special Program Package**

Periodically, we offer special packages to encourage our prospective

students to take advantage of our various programs. For the month of

March, we present you with a special program package for Nat301, the

Certificate in Natural Therapies, newly revised and packed with the

latest information on Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, and much more.

During March, you will receive a credit of $50 towards any fee option

for Nat301, AND two complimentary natural health videos. Our video

selection includes Edible Wild Plants; Trees, Shrubs, Nuts and

Berries; Natural Health with Medicinal Herbs and Healing Foods;

Homeopathy for Pets; and Homeopathy for Infants and Children (While

supplies last).

 

**Residential Certificate in Aromatherapy starting May 3**

Due to a number of requests from students who had conflicting

schedules with our March start date, this program will now commence

on May 3. Still on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. For full details

see http://www.herbed.com/admissions.htm or telephone the College at

800 487 8839 for a catalog.

 

**FREE 3 hour Introduction to Aromatherapy Class!**

Register today for our free 3-hour class on ways to use Aromatherapy

for your personal use and in your home! April 15, 2000 from 10

am - 1 p.m. at our Lake Oswego Campus. Register by email

(achs) or telephone at 800 487 8839 or local 503

635 6652. Space is limited!

 

**$25 Gift Certificate Winner**

February's winner is Jennifer Nagel. Congratulations Jennifer!

Remember you must email to claim your prize within 30 days so don't

delay!

 

**Provence Summer School**

The Summer School was profiled in Alternative Travel Directory 2000,

the Complete Guide to Traveling, Studying, and Living Overseas.

Unfortunately, the 2000 Summer School is full, but we will be

accepting applications for Summer School 2001 in September.

 

**AM Northwest**

Did you hear about us on AM Northwest last month? Several of Dorene

Petersen's Aromatherapy Blends were covered, along with methods of

use. A link to the recipes is available at http://www.herbed.com

 

**CALENDAR**

****March 25th, Dorene Petersen presents a Paper on Manuka

(leptospermum scoparium) at the First International Phyto Aromatic

Conference March 24-26, 2000 Nice, France. World Class speakers and

researchers present on Aromatherapy. Limited seating. US$325 Call

Cathy Eaton at 541 426 8133 for more details and to register.

 

****April 6, 7, 8 Natural Health Consulting Weekend class at our Lake

Oswego Campus. Credit towards Diploma in Aromatherapy or Non Credit

 

****April 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free 3 hour Aromatherapy for the Home

and Body class. Limited space so register early.

 

****May 3 Residential Certificate in Aromatherapy Commences. Limited

space so register early.

 

****July 22 - July 26th American Society of Pharmacognosy Annual

Meeting Seattle WA. The Topic is " Exploring and Engineering Natural

Product Diversity " 5 symposia are planned. The ASP offer annual

research awards, and Awards and Grants for Students. For more

information visit http://www.phcog.org

 

**Research News: Can Nutrition Help Violent and Disruptive Behavior

in Children?**

Incidents involving children and violent disruptive behavior are

increasingly common and much work is being done to determine methods

to assist children and their parents. While most of us know the

importance of a healthy whole-foods diet, but it is particularly

important for children. Many Parents limit processed foods high in

sugar and preservatives, and focus on organic vegetables, fruits,

whole grains, quality protein, and plenty of fresh pure water.

 

However, even a good diet may not be enough. Recent CDC releases

indicate that large proportions of the US Population are deficient in

essential vitamins in minerals, and that this is true for children as

well as adults.

 

These results are particularly relevant when taken in to account with

a recent study showing that Vitamins may assist with violent and

anti-social behavior among children with disruptive behaviors where

those children may be suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

 

The study (The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

2000; 6:7-17 http://www.liebertpub.com/acm/ ) found that

supplementing vitamin and minerals in the diets of children aged 6 to

12 years with behavioral problems, led to a reduction in incidence of

anti-social behavior.

 

Past studies show similar results among institutionalized offenders,

aged 13 to 26. This study showed that the results of those earlier

studies held true for a group of working-class children in Phoenix

who were known to be disruptive. Early intervention could prevent

later violent and anti-social behavior.

 

Over four months, 40 subjects took daily supplements formulated to

provide the nutritional equivalent of vitamins and minerals present

in a well-balanced diet. Another group of 40 received a placebo.

 

The study then compared differences in serious rule violations

occurring during the intervention period, including vandalism,

refusing to work, use of obscenities, being disrespectful, disorderly

conduct, assault/battery and defiance.

 

The authors Stephen J. Schoenthaler, (a Professor of sociology and

criminal justice at California State University), Stanislaus

(www.lead.csustan.edu), and Ian D. Bier, of LB Scientific, LLC,

Durham, N.H, found that the 40 children who received the active

supplements were disciplined 47 percent less during the intervention

process than those who received placebo.

 

The author's conclude: ``Poor nutritional habits in children, lead to

low concentrations of water-soluble vitamins in blood, impair brain

function, and subsequently cause violence and other serious

anti-social behavior.''

 

The authors note that their findings ``do not imply that human

behavior is not largely a learned phenomena. The fact that most

children cease to be behavioral problems after one or two incidents

is evidence that most children prefer rewards over escalating

sanctions and they have learned from their experiences with the

school administration.''

 

However, the authors believe that their findings are important for a

minority of children for whom both rewards and sanctions are not

effective. For this group, there is evidence that ``undiagnosed and

untreated malnutrition may be impairing their brain function to such

an extent that normal learning from discipline does not occur.''

 

With low-dose supplementation of vitamins and minerals, according to

researchers, the 40 offenders in the group ``were able to appreciate

the seriousness of their actions and the disciplinary consequences.''

 

Schoenthaler and Bier urged wider application of medical and

nutritional intervention as one possible approach to improving the

behavior of disruptive and anti-social children.

 

**Email Etiquette**

 

Wow - what is it about email lists lately? Ouch!

 

My favorite tips when emailing are first to remember that the

recipient cannot see the smile on your face. Second, wait before

sending! Take a deep breath, have a cup of tea, or sleep on it before

you reply to a contentious email.

 

An interesting article (Email: The New Language of Love, by Dr Felice

Dunas, in Healing Retreats and Spas, March 2000) recently caught my

eye and summed it up very nicely: " We write email as if conversing.

Even the right words can break your heart if this medium is poorly

utilized. "

 

TCM teaches that the mouth is related to two internal organs: the

heart and the spleen (and digestion). Rough or callous words, the

author states, are poison to your heart. We all know that the heart

bruises easily and takes a long time to heal, and those email barbs

cut right to it. Interestingly, in TCM, the mouth is a source of

sustenance through food and drink. Our ability to absorb

informational, emotional, spiritual, and nutritional, depends on

digestive strength.

 

In a conversation, we rely on four tools to determine someone's

meaning:

* Body language

* Eye contact and facial expressions

* Vocal inflection and intonation

* Words

 

As you can see, we cannot convey the first three through email,

making email prone to causing miscommunications and rifts. What would

sound authoritative in conversation can sound cold and patronizing

via email!

 

I recommend using the telephone where you can - it is much easier to

resolve issues when you can hear the other person's tone.

 

If email is necessary, Dr Dunas offers the following tips:

* Write more formally than you might think is necessary.

* Wait before sending.

* Reread it before sending.

* State what you intend the reader to feel when reading your letter

right up front. For example, " I hope this email encourages you to

continue with your studies, and inspires you to pull out the books!

If it doesn't, I haven't written it well, and apologize. "

* Leave out anything you think could be misconstrued. If you have to

say it, say it by telephone.

* Keep it light. Email is not the forum for serious emotive

discussions. Do it face to face or at least over the telephone.

* You do not know how the reader will be feeling when they get your

email. Expect the worst, and write as if the reader is stressed! Make

your emails upbeat, supportive, and a joy to receive.

* Keep all of this in mind when reading email. Give the writer the

benefit of the doubt, or ask them to clarify if you do not understand

a point.

* Remember that you can build or destroy trust quickly with email.

 

**Weighty Issues Continued: Fiber**

One of the best tools against the bulge is fiber. Few, no, make that

VERY few of us, eat the recommended minimum intake of 25 grams of

fiber per day. Fewer still get the 35 plus grams per day recommended

for reducing the risk of many chronic illnesses, including heart

disease.

 

In fact, why don't you record how much fiber you eat tomorrow. It can

be scary. Some people do not eat 5 grams of fiber a day and the

American Dietetic Association reports that the average American eats

11 grams per day. A recent study at Colorado State University showed

that while many Americans are trying to reduce dietary fat intake,

they are not making the same effort to increase their daily amounts

of fiber. The researchers surveyed 362 registered dietitians, 147

people with cancer or heart disease and another 6,206 people from the

general population. Over 60 percent reported consuming whole grains

daily, but only 15 percent reported eating fruits and vegetables

frequently. Registered dietitians were significantly more likely to

reduce fat intake and increase fiber as compared to the general

population. Those diagnosed with cancer or heart disease were more

likely than the general population to reduce fat intake, but were

similar in regards to frequency of fiber-related intake. Among the

general population, researchers found those most likely to adopt

healthful eating habits were white, college- educated women older

than 60 years with higher income and no small children. (Source The

Journal of the American Dietetic Association, January 2000)

 

What foods can you incorporate into your diet to increase your fiber

intake? Well, there really aren't any surprises here: organic fruits

and vegetables, particularly apples, citrus, and potatoes; oats,

barley, whole grains, wheat bran, seeds, cereals. Try some exotic

grains or cereals - try quinoa, bulgur wheat, kasha, or couscous.

Beans are an excellent source - add them to stews, salads, and soups.

 

Getting fiber from these sources is preferable to a fiber supplement,

which will often not contain the potassium, nutrients (particularly

folate, B6 and E), phytochemicals and antioxidants.

 

Processing is important - the less the better! Cooking can break down

fiber, so eat raw fruits and vegetables where you can or steam

lightly. Leave the skin on apples, pears, and potatoes. Eat the whole

fruit instead of drinking juice.

 

You can better measure your intake if you know what high fiber really

means: the FDA have issued guidelines about fiber claims for foods.

Foods stating they are " high in " , " rich in " , or an " excellent source

of " must provide at last 5 grams of fiber per serving. A " good

source " must provide at least 2.5 grams per serving.

 

A high fiber diet can assist dieters in several ways. First, it helps

you feel full by adding bulk with fewer calories. Second, high fiber

whole foods take longer to digest, meaning you feel fuller longer.

 

Aside from these benefits, fiber has been shown to assist with many

health problems often associated with obesity:

* Fiber from both oats and psyllolium seeds have been shown to lower

blood cholesterol levels and the risk of coronary heart disease.

Since February 18, 1998, the FDA has allowed claims of this on

packaging.

* Heart disease: a recent National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Family Heart Study showed that fiber can have a positive impact on

plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) considered an emerging

marker in heart disease.

* A high fiber diet means increased intestinal tract mobility - a

factor that can reduce exposure to carcinogenic substances.

* Diabetics can improve blood glucose control, and reduce plasma

cholesterol through a high fiber diet, without increasing plasma

insulin and triglyceride concentrations.

 

FDA PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY

On February 10, 2000, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory warning

of the risk of drug interactions with St John's Wort and Indinavir

and other drugs. The warning stemmed from a study conducted by The

National Institutes of Health (NIH) that showed a significant drug

interaction between St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and

Indinavir, a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV infection. In this

study, concomitant administration of St. John's Wort and Indinavir

substantially decreased Indinavir plasma concentrations, potentially

due to induction of the cytochrome P450 metabolic pathway.

 

The study looked at concomitant administration of Indinavir with St.

John's Wort. However, the results indicate that St John's Wort may

significantly decrease blood concentrations of all of the currently

marketed HIV protease inhibitors (PIs). There are also implications

for other drugs (to varying degrees) that are similarly metabolized,

including the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs

- also used for HIV treatment). Consequently, use of St John's Wort

with PIs or NNRTIs is not recommended because this may result in

suboptimal drug concentrations, leading to loss of virologic response

and development of resistance or class cross-resistance.

 

Herbal products are used widely in the United States, so it is

important that health care professionals ask patients about

concomitant use of products that could contain St. John's Wort

(hypericum perforatum). The FDA is working closely with drug

manufacturers to ensure that product labeling of antiretrovirals is

revised to highlight the potential for drug interactions with St.

John's Wort.

 

Other drugs

Based on this study and reports in the medical literature, St. John's

Wort appears to be an inducer of an important metabolic pathway,

cytochrome P450. As many prescription drugs used to treat conditions

such as heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers or to

prevent conditions such as transplant rejection or pregnancy (oral

contraceptives) are metabolized via this pathway, the FDA is

recommending health care providers alert patients about these

potential drug interactions to prevent loss of therapeutic effect of

any drug metabolized via the cytochrome P450 pathway.

 

For additional information on this study, refer to the Lancet

February 12, 2000 (Piscitelli, et al) or the FDA website at

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/stjwort.htm

 

**Congratulations to Our Recent Graduates!**

JANUARY 2000

*Certificate in Aromatherapy:

Deborah Layton, NY

Alisa Duncan, OR

*Certificate in Nutrition, Bodycare and Herbalism:

Julia Williamson, OR

Stacey Johnson, GA

*Certificate in Flower Essences:

Catherine Wright. CA

*Certificate in Herbal Studies:

Patricia Hewitt, NC

Blythe Bitetti, WA

*Diploma in Herbal Studies:

Lorinda Blood. VT

Diane Sembrat, PA

*Certificate in Structure and Function of the Human Body:

Jean Weiss, CA,

Sauying Shadow Kwan, Hong Kong,

Olivia Delgado-Pierce, OH

 

FEBRUARY 2000

*Certificate in Aromatherapy

Anna Rafkin, GA

Mary Wulff-Tilford, MT

Elizabeth Lord, PA

JoAnn Nowa, India

*Certificate in Nutrition, Bodycare, and Herbalism:

Joyce Houlihan, CT

Michelle Kaiser, CO

Merry Kay Kramp, NC

Rebecca Petry, KY

*Diploma in Herbal Studies:

Katryna Trammell Swedberg, DO

Gary Tigar, CA

*Certificate in Structure and Function of the Human Body

Maribeth Metcalf, PA

 

Remember that Graduates qualify for a free listing on the Online

Natural Health Consultants Directory. If you would like to be listed,

email achs with your 50 word listing! Alumni Members can

obtain a 200 word listing with two graphics! Good luck to all

Students taking their finals during March!

 

Student Comments and Suggestions

 

We value all comments and input from students and graduates, and

thought you would be interested to hear some of the changes we have

made because of your input. We have a Psychology Intern currently

working on revising our questionnaires to ensure we obtain the most

relevant and useful information. She has also been analyzing the

results of our past questionnaires. What was interesting was the

large number of comments that have resulted in changes. These include:

 

1. Updating lesson to Americanize language: all lessons have been

revised for Herb 101, Herb 201, Herb 401, Nat 201, Nat 205, Nat 301,

Aroma 101, Aroma 201, Homb 201, and Homb 401. Lessons now refer to

American terminology, use American spelling, refer to US habitats,

and refer to more latest research. All also have been reformatted

according to the latest research on effective distance learning and

have in-depth tables of contents. All lessons are in a 6-month roster

of updating with the latest information.

2. As part of the major revisions, the programs refer more to the

additional study aids that are included with your Program.

3. Several students commented that they would enjoy more telephone

contact with their tutor. As many of our Faculty telecommute, we

implemented a sophisticated new telephone system with voicemail for

each tutor that out-calls them when they have a message. We have also

instituted a system where each tutor calls their new students to

welcome them and introduce themselves.

4. Due to requests for more visual aids to identify herbs, we have

added a wonderful text; Eyewitness Guide for Herbs, which has

photographs of herbs in various stages, including root and seed, and

is a very popular text. This is available through our Apothecary

Shoppe at a special student price $17.05 for students.

5. Comments that having to appoint a Proctor can be difficult and

exam apprehension leading to students not completing their program:

we are looking at methods to allow students to complete their program

through papers instead of an exam. We will keep you posted and

appreciate comments on this issue.

6. Students would like to meet Tutors in person/would like workshops:

we held our first residential weekend classes in 1999, and continue

to offer these programs in 2000. Students have requested classes

around the country. Given the organization involved, we felt it best

to commence with classes at our Oregon campus, and to increase class

offerings and locations as demand grows. A suggestion has been for a

student or graduate in an area to take on organization of a class in

their area, and for College staff to come in to teach it. We are

happy to consider such proposals.

7. Student comment that they would like to receive larger herb and

oil samples led to 1 oz herb samples (replacing the 1/2 oz size) and

essential oil kits based on 5 ml bottles, (replacing the 5/8 dram)

for students enrolling after August 1, 1999 at the new fees.

8. Students have also commented on the wonderful quality of the herbs

we supply. We have worked hard on quality control over the past 2

years, implementing a new batch quality control system. We source for

quality, and prefer to supply organic or ethically wildcrafted herbs.

Some suggestions have been made for herbs to be supplied in fluid or

capsule format. What are your thoughts on this?

9. Students commented that they found it difficult referring to their

lessons in separate binders, so we redesigned our binder covers and

moved to a 2 inch binder which holds up to 10 lesson manuals.

Students have been very happy with this change.

10. Students commented that quick reference charts would be helpful

so we introduced the new laminated quick reference guides as study

aids for students enrolling from August 1, 1999 and have these

available for older students. These are wonderful, and include color

Anatomy and Physiology charts.

11. Other students have commented that they do not find the decoders

helpful. We are considering dropping these as a study aid. What are

your thoughts?

12. We have replaced several textbooks after comments from students

including the Complete Book of Homeopathy, replaced with the Complete

Guide to homeopathy. We are also looking at replacing the Valnet text

for the Certificate in Aromatherapy.

13. We have added in-depth texts to programs to supplement the lesson

manuals for students who wish to be extended. These include the

Herbal Medicines A Guide for Health Care Professionals, The Chemistry

of Essential oils, and the Essential Oils Safety Guide.

 

As always, your input and comments are invaluable to us.

 

 

Happy Spring (well nearly!)

Warm regards

Erika Petersen, Editor, ACHS Reporter, Australasian College USA

 

___________________

Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to

govern, but impossible to enslave.

--Henry Peter Brougham

 

Australasian College USA 800 487 8839 http://www.herbed.com State

Licensed. Continuing Education Credit for many Health Care

Professionals. Liability Insurance. Sallie Mae Student Loans

available.