Agricultural aromatherapy

www.eiolcolab.com

http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/article.php?q=09051463-agricultural-aromather\

May 19, 2009

With that idea they are living in cloud cuckoo land. Lavender oil is adulterated

on a vast scale due to not enough being grown at an economic price to meet

demand. So to use it on crops is a none starter. This looks to me like the

hundreds of thousands of other research papers produced to get some wannabe

scientists their degrees, or a higher level diploma, or invitations to

conferences around the world. The UK MPs expenses scandal is insignificant

compared to the money wasted on impracticale science research.

Martin Watt

ATFE2 , Liz <liztams wrote:

>

> " Could essential oils extracted from lavender be used as a natural

> herbicide to prevent weed growth among crops? Research carried out in

> Italy and reported in the current issue of the International Journal

> of Environment and Health suggests the answer may be yes. "

>

> Interesting....

> More here

>

apy

>

> (or http://tinyurl.com/oopkb8 if the above breaks up)

>

May 21, 2009

ATFE2 , " Martin Watt " <aromamedical wrote:

>

> With that idea they are living in cloud cuckoo land. Lavender oil is

adulterated on a vast scale due to not enough being grown at an economic price

to meet demand. So to use it on crops is a none starter. This looks to me like

the hundreds of thousands of other research papers produced to get some wannabe

scientists their degrees, or a higher level diploma, or invitations to

conferences around the world. The UK MPs expenses scandal is insignificant

compared to the money wasted on impracticale science research.

>

> Martin Watt

>

Dear Martin,

While I appreciate your valuable opinion I just wanted to provide you with an

update: on my side of the planet essential oils are being used for farming quite

a bit. I have supplied plenty of farms over the years in the U.S. and Canada by

the drum. Rosemary and Peppermint Oil for a brussel sprout farmer, clove oil to

a potatoe farmer, thyme oil to coat seeds as a protective agent, d-limonene for

weed control, by the way it works just a good as round-up.

The EPA created a list FIFRA 25B,here you will find the following essential oils

cedar, citronella, cinnamon, clove,garlic,lemongrass, mint, peppermint,

rosemary, thyme. These ingredients are exempt from regulation at the federal

level for use in farming and the creation of biopesticides. Your head would

spin if you could see all of the products being formulated off of this list.

A leading company in the biopesticide industry is Maroon Organics. Here is an

excerpt from the Internet " We are proud to be in the biopesticide business, a

crop protection category that is growing, maturing and realizing widespread

acceptance in agribusiness globally, " said company founder and CEO, Pam Marrone,

upon making the announcement.

" What many don't realize is that more than 80 percent of today's biopesticides

are used in conventional farming. At Marrone Bio Innovations, we are dedicated

to discovering, developing and marketing products for today's and tomorrow's

pest management challenges. All of our products are derived from biological, or

natural, sources, and are as effective as conventional synthetic chemical

pesticides. "

So you see Martin, there is a movement away from the use of deleterious

chemicals that have wreaked havoc on our planet to a more natural approach.

Since the 1950's nearly 80,000 chemicals have been manufactured in the U.S. for

use in just about everything, with little or no testing. Smart, innovative

people are using things from the past to improve the way we do things in the

future. I once had a business partner that poo-pooed every new idea that came

across his desk because he was the " expert authority, " on oils. Needless to say

we didn't see eye to eye on much of anything. All that I can say is that

there's a great big world outside of Aromatherapy.

Be well,

Rachel Markel

Managing Partner

http://tinyurl.com/o6j6q7

May 21, 2009

Hi Rachel

Barrier H (a licensed product used for ragwort control in the UK) is

made using only natural plant derivatives from sustainable resources

and contains 22.9% Citronella Oil.

You are right, there is a large - international - movement looking for

innovative ways to use essential oils as pest & herbicidal controls,

with great success. Thanks for the information about the US side :-)

Liz.

> Dear Martin,

>

> While I appreciate your valuable opinion I just wanted to provide you with an

update: on my side of the planet essential oils are being used for farming quite

a bit. I have supplied plenty of farms over the years in the U.S. and Canada by

the drum. Rosemary and Peppermint Oil for a brussel sprout farmer, clove oil to

a potatoe farmer, thyme oil to coat seeds as a protective agent, d-limonene for

weed control, by the way it works just a good as round-up.

>

> The EPA created a list FIFRA 25B,here you will find the following essential

oils cedar, citronella, cinnamon, clove,garlic,lemongrass, mint, peppermint,

rosemary, thyme. These ingredients are exempt from regulation at the federal

level for use in farming and the creation of biopesticides. Your head would

spin if you could see all of the products being formulated off of this list.

>

> A leading company in the biopesticide industry is Maroon Organics. Here is an

excerpt from the Internet " We are proud to be in the biopesticide business, a

crop protection category that is growing, maturing and realizing widespread

acceptance in agribusiness globally, " said company founder and CEO, Pam Marrone,

upon making the announcement.

>

> " What many don't realize is that more than 80 percent of today's biopesticides

are used in conventional farming. At Marrone Bio Innovations, we are dedicated

to discovering, developing and marketing products for today's and tomorrow's

pest management challenges. All of our products are derived from biological, or

natural, sources, and are as effective as conventional synthetic chemical

pesticides. "

>

> So you see Martin, there is a movement away from the use of deleterious

chemicals that have wreaked havoc on our planet to a more natural approach.

Since the 1950's nearly 80,000 chemicals have been manufactured in the U.S. for

use in just about everything, with little or no testing. Smart, innovative

people are using things from the past to improve the way we do things in the

future. I once had a business partner that poo-pooed every new idea that came

across his desk because he was the " expert authority, " on oils. Needless to say

we didn't see eye to eye on much of anything. All that I can say is that

there's a great big world outside of Aromatherapy.

>

> Be well,

>

> Rachel Markel

> Managing Partner

> www.eoilco.com

> www.eoilcolab.com

> www.GreenTerpene.com

>

> ---

>

May 21, 2009

Hi Rachel,

I believe you are referencing Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. They are not

" Maroon Organics " , which is completely misleading to the layperson, and

their products are not completely organic. They manufacture some products

they claim are intended for organic production, but these products are not

comprised entirely of biochemicals and I am not sure they have official

certified organic status. As an instance, their Greenmatch EX Burndown

Herbicide is 50% lemongrass oil and 50% water, corn oil, Glycerol Esters,

Potassium Oleate and Lecithin. I believe that Glycerol Esters are primary

ingredients in a clinical toxicological investigation of delayed neuropathy

and acute poisoning from another pesticide product. Potassium Oleate has

been linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies,

immunotoxicity and contamination conerns. Moreover, a number of organic

pesticides recently failed a EU safety review.

We cannot forget that all pesticides (from organic source or not) are

intended to " kill " pests. And both can be deliterious to the environment

and other living beings including man. Looking for organic replacements for

synthetic chemical pesticides grossly overlooks the fact that what is really

necessary is to learn an entirely different method of farming. One from

which no monetary profit can be derived. This is no doubt anathema to some.

Permaculture - crop rotation, composting, companion planting, nurturing

beneficial pests (ones that eat the bad guys) . . . All reduce the need for

fertilizers and pesticides. Organic methods are grounded in the philosophy

of feeding and enriching the soil in such a way that you reduce or

completely eliminate the crutch of dangerous and damaging

fertilizers/pesticides. The ultimate answer is not to find an organic

substitute for bad chemicals because you would have to apply as much of the

alternative and you would inevitably cause much the same problem as with

synthetics. And, as I have pointed out, these products are NOT organic.

Here's a good resource to learn more http://ofrf.org/index.html

I recently posted this wonderful talk by Michael Pollan (whom I deify and

wish would have become our Top Ag Guy under Obama) on my fb page. You will

certainly get a sense of the true meaning of organic and the word symbiotic.

The part about cows/chickens should certainly open eyes as an example of the

optimum process, which has nothing to do with capitalizing on a short

sighted substitution of one killer over another.

You state that Pam Marrone says . . . " 80 percent of today's biopesticides

are used in conventional farming . . . " A glaring question is, " Why

aren't they being used in organic farming? " The answer is that organic

farming doesn't require them.

Our industry has its own back yard to clean up. Essential Oil production is

not entirely eco-friendly and overharvesting (not to mention deforestation

for new crops) is abusive to the point of diminishing and disappearing

species. We have just begun to address the issues of fair trade in the

essential oil industry and have a long way to go. As another essential oil

purveyor, I would not choose getting overly vested in sales of large

quantaities of essential oils as pesticides which will further increase

demand and stress already overly stressed production capability. Doing this

while at the same time remaining ignorant about the true problems of

sustainability is, in my mind, akin to criminalty in this century of major

worldwide food crises.

Sorry if I come across harshly, but I am really tired of the ignorance of

those who claim to have a " natural " philosophy that is not reflected in the

intelligence of their business practices.

Be Well,

Marcia Elston, Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence

http://www.wingedseed.com

http://www.aromaconnection.org

" The most commom way people give up their power is by thinking they don't

have any " : Alice Walker

________________________________

ATFE2 [ATFE2 ] On Behalf Of

ramarkel

Thursday, May 21, 2009 9:25 AM

ATFE2

[ATFE2] Re: Agricultural aromatherapy

ATFE2 <ATFE2%40> , " Martin

Watt " <aromamedical wrote:

>

> With that idea they are living in cloud cuckoo land. Lavender oil is

adulterated on a vast scale due to not enough being grown at an economic

price to meet demand. So to use it on crops is a none starter. This looks to

me like the hundreds of thousands of other research papers produced to get

some wannabe scientists their degrees, or a higher level diploma, or

invitations to conferences around the world. The UK MPs expenses scandal is

insignificant compared to the money wasted on impracticale science research.

>

> Martin Watt

>

Dear Martin,

While I appreciate your valuable opinion I just wanted to provide you with

an update: on my side of the planet essential oils are being used for

farming quite a bit. I have supplied plenty of farms over the years in the

U.S. and Canada by the drum. Rosemary and Peppermint Oil for a brussel

sprout farmer, clove oil to a potatoe farmer, thyme oil to coat seeds as a

protective agent, d-limonene for weed control, by the way it works just a

good as round-up.

The EPA created a list FIFRA 25B,here you will find the following essential

oils cedar, citronella, cinnamon, clove,garlic,lemongrass, mint, peppermint,

rosemary, thyme. These ingredients are exempt from regulation at the federal

level for use in farming and the creation of biopesticides. Your head would

spin if you could see all of the products being formulated off of this list.

A leading company in the biopesticide industry is Maroon Organics. Here is

an excerpt from the Internet " We are proud to be in the biopesticide

business, a crop protection category that is growing, maturing and realizing

widespread acceptance in agribusiness globally, " said company founder and

CEO, Pam Marrone, upon making the announcement.

" What many don't realize is that more than 80 percent of today's

biopesticides are used in conventional farming. At Marrone Bio Innovations,

we are dedicated to discovering, developing and marketing products for

today's and tomorrow's pest management challenges. All of our products are

derived from biological, or natural, sources, and are as effective as

conventional synthetic chemical pesticides. "

So you see Martin, there is a movement away from the use of deleterious

chemicals that have wreaked havoc on our planet to a more natural approach.

Since the 1950's nearly 80,000 chemicals have been manufactured in the U.S.

for use in just about everything, with little or no testing. Smart,

innovative people are using things from the past to improve the way we do

things in the future. I once had a business partner that poo-pooed every new

idea that came across his desk because he was the " expert authority, " on

oils. Needless to say we didn't see eye to eye on much of anything. All that

I can say is that there's a great big world outside of Aromatherapy.

Be well,

Rachel Markel

Managing Partner

http://www.wingedseed.com

May 21, 2009

Need to clarify . . . I said:

" Looking for organic replacements for

synthetic chemical pesticides grossly overlooks the fact that what is really

necessary is to learn an entirely different method of farming. One from

which no monetary profit can be derived. This is no doubt anathema to some. "

I hope you all forgive the misspellings, as well, but I should clarify that

I meant " ancillary " monetary profit. If you are aware, you know that the

chemical industry has enslaved farmers across the globe with genetically

modified seeds that produce plants that don't produce seeds themselves for

future crops, and a dependence on the super-chemical-infused-patented seed

which is the only thing that will grow in the nutrient-deprived soil that is

a direct result of application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The

reliance on these GM seeds and the contractual arrangements with companies

like Montsano and Union Carbide has truly made slaves of farmers. I

certainly did not mean to intimate that the farmers themselves don't have a

perfect right to the monetary profits from their crops. The system is

simply not working for most of them and there is an urgency to remedy this.

I think most of you got the gist, however, I did want to clarify this.

Be Well,

Marcia Elston, Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence

http://www.aromaconnection.org

" The most commom way people give up their power is by thinking they don't

have any " : Alice Walker

May 22, 2009

ATFE2 , " Marcia Elston " <Marcia wrote:

>

> Hi Rachel,

>

> I believe you are referencing Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. They are not

> " Maroon Organics " , which is completely misleading to the layperson, and

> their products are not completely organic. They manufacture some products

> they claim are intended for organic production, but these products are not

> comprised entirely of biochemicals and I am not sure they have official

> certified organic status. As an instance, their Greenmatch EX Burndown

> Herbicide is 50% lemongrass oil and 50% water, corn oil, Glycerol Esters,

> Potassium Oleate and Lecithin. I believe that Glycerol Esters are primary

> ingredients in a clinical toxicological investigation of delayed neuropathy

> and acute poisoning from another pesticide product. Potassium Oleate has

> been linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies,

> immunotoxicity and contamination conerns. Moreover, a number of organic

> pesticides recently failed a EU safety review.

>

> We cannot forget that all pesticides (from organic source or not) are

> intended to " kill " pests. And both can be deliterious to the environment

> and other living beings including man. Looking for organic replacements for

> synthetic chemical pesticides grossly overlooks the fact that what is really

> necessary is to learn an entirely different method of farming. One from

> which no monetary profit can be derived. This is no doubt anathema to some.

> Permaculture - crop rotation, composting, companion planting, nurturing

> beneficial pests (ones that eat the bad guys) . . . All reduce the need for

> fertilizers and pesticides. Organic methods are grounded in the philosophy

> of feeding and enriching the soil in such a way that you reduce or

> completely eliminate the crutch of dangerous and damaging

> fertilizers/pesticides. The ultimate answer is not to find an organic

> substitute for bad chemicals because you would have to apply as much of the

> alternative and you would inevitably cause much the same problem as with

> synthetics. And, as I have pointed out, these products are NOT organic.

>

> Here's a good resource to learn more http://ofrf.org/index.html

>

> I recently posted this wonderful talk by Michael Pollan (whom I deify and

> wish would have become our Top Ag Guy under Obama) on my fb page. You will

> certainly get a sense of the true meaning of organic and the word symbiotic.

> The part about cows/chickens should certainly open eyes as an example of the

> optimum process, which has nothing to do with capitalizing on a short

> sighted substitution of one killer over another.

> http://tinyurl.com/o6j6q7

>

> You state that Pam Marrone says . . . " 80 percent of today's biopesticides

> are used in conventional farming . . . " A glaring question is, " Why

> aren't they being used in organic farming? " The answer is that organic

> farming doesn't require them.

>

> Our industry has its own back yard to clean up. Essential Oil production is

> not entirely eco-friendly and overharvesting (not to mention deforestation

> for new crops) is abusive to the point of diminishing and disappearing

> species. We have just begun to address the issues of fair trade in the

> essential oil industry and have a long way to go. As another essential oil

> purveyor, I would not choose getting overly vested in sales of large

> quantaities of essential oils as pesticides which will further increase

> demand and stress already overly stressed production capability. Doing this

> while at the same time remaining ignorant about the true problems of

> sustainability is, in my mind, akin to criminalty in this century of major

> worldwide food crises.

>

> Sorry if I come across harshly, but I am really tired of the ignorance of

> those who claim to have a " natural " philosophy that is not reflected in the

> intelligence of their business practices.

>

> Be Well,

> Marcia Elston, Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence

> http://www.wingedseed.com

> http://www.aromaconnection.org

> " The most commom way people give up their power is by thinking they don't

> have any " : Alice Walker

>

>Dear Marcia,

Thank you for your thoughtful response! Just wondering what planet you would

live on that would encourage no monetary compensation for farming? Sorry my

friend but the train has left the station and because we are going green in the

U.S. that also means using green ingredients. In a perfect world everything

would be farmed organic but you and I both know that probably will not happen

any time soon.

You mentioned that looking for organic replacements for synthetic chemical

pesticides grossly overlooks the fact that what is really

necessary is to learn an entirely different method of farming. True, I agree

with this but synthetic chemicals are killing us, bottom line! So do you think

it would be more probable to use biopesticides or revolutionize the whole

agricultural industry?

I take your criticisms lightly and do not put much weight on the fact that you

would not get overly vested in sales of large quantities of oils to farms.

Farmers do not buy in 5ml bottles so don't worry about that. Stick to what you

know---Aromatherapy!

Be well,

Rachel Markel

Managing Partner

eoilco labs

http://www.wingedseed.com

________________________________

>

May 22, 2009

ATFE2 , " ramarkel " <ramarkel wrote:

> >Dear Marcia,

>

> Thank you for your thoughtful response! Just wondering what planet you would

live on that would encourage no monetary compensation for farming? Sorry my

friend but the train has left the station and because we are going green in the

U.S. that also means using green ingredients. In a perfect world everything

would be farmed organic but you and I both know that probably will not happen

any time soon.

>

> You mentioned that looking for organic replacements for synthetic chemical

pesticides grossly overlooks the fact that what is really

> necessary is to learn an entirely different method of farming. True, I agree

with this but synthetic chemicals are killing us, bottom line! So do you think

it would be more probable to use biopesticides or revolutionize the whole

agricultural industry?

>

> I take your criticisms lightly and do not put much weight on the fact that you

would not get overly vested in sales of large quantities of oils to farms.

Farmers do not buy in 5ml bottles so don't worry about that. Stick to what you

know---Aromatherapy!

>

> Be well,

>

> Rachel Markel

> Managing Partner

> eoilco labs

-------

While it would be nice for farmers to use essential oils for pesticides, it is a

FACT that bulk essential oils are rarely as genuine as the suppliers claim. If

farmers have a struggle getting economic prices for their main crops, I just do

not see it being economic for them to use genuine essential oils. Those of us

who know the bulk trade, know what is being sold and it is rarely the genuine

article. I guess some small organic growers may be able to afford natural

pesticides, but only if they can pass the cost on to their customers.

>I agree with this but synthetic chemicals are killing us, bottom >line!

That is gross overkill, some synthetics yes, but many synthetics not at all.

Then what about all the lavender oil touched up with linalool and other

synthetics. There are vast amounts of that on the market and other 'touched up'

oils. Of course no one in aromatherapy is selling such oils are they!!!

Martin Watt

May 22, 2009

Rachel, somehow I knew you would misunderstand my reference to monetary

compensation . . . hence the second post clarification.

And, whoa . . . You know nothing about me, certainly not my acquired

knowledge in the aromatic products trade industry beyond aromatherapy, let

alone the breadth of our business. If you knew more about our company, you

would know that we have been sourcing essential oils worldwide from

producers for going on 20 years; we broker and distribute some raw aromatics

in quantity; we've developed large manufacturing projects for companies like

Costco and Longs Drug, as well as operate retail online and wholesale. Our

retail website is just one component, and I don't feel a need to wave an

online accomplishment flag for relationships that have developed outside the

internet and have nothing to do with our retail online entity. I am

passionate about the issues confronting us and I am closely connected to and

communicate frequently with other thoughtful researchers who also keep

abreast. I've known Martin Watt for a couple of decades now and know the

integrity of his work. None of us entirely agree with one another, but we

are engaged in a collective effort to identify problems and present possible

solutions. If you have taken time to examine the efforts at websites like

aromaconnection, cropwatch, springerlink and others, you already know this.

I'm not the only one put off by your condescending attitude on this list,

and I'm a bit puzzled by it. Are you here to learn more and contribute to

issues surrounding aromatherapy (and frequently the larger issues of EO

trade) or has someone licked all the red off your candy and you are here

simply to bully? The only posts I've seen from you seem to indicate a chip

on your shoulder. What can be done to remedy this? I believe you might

have a lot to contribute if you wouldn't appear take things so personally.

All I expect is a rational, factual viewpoint from anyone I have discussions

with, and you can be expected to be challenged if your facts aren't

straight, if not by me, then by someone else. This is the way it works.

If you agree that organic methods are the answer, then why would you persist

to champion that pesticides in any form should be continued and what makes

you believe that essential oils are safer? The examples you cited are not

good ones, as I carefully pointed out. So long as people agree (like you)

that things cannot change for the better anytime soon, it will take longer

for necessary changes to occur. I am not naïve and I do not expect magical

overnight changes, but I do believe in pushing for changes, certainly those

to reverse the devastation we all agree has been wreaked by the chemical

industry. I see your point that essential oils are perhaps less dangerous,

but are they really, in this context? I challenge you to provide real

documented evidence that essential oils as pesticides are any less damaging

than their synthetic chemical counterparts when poured in great quantities

into a particular ecosystem. And, don't you get it that " organic pesticide "

is a complete oxymoron?

" Going Green " has been co-opted by so many corporations trying to compete

with a grass roots movement to reverse the trend to synthesize and

manipulate everything natural . . . I admit that I was totally put off by

your waving of that banner, especially without intelligent substance.

Be Well,

Marcia Elston, Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence

http://www.aromaconnection.org

" The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't

have any " : Alice Walker

>Dear Marcia,

Thank you for your thoughtful response! Just wondering what planet you would

live on that would encourage no monetary compensation for farming? Sorry my

friend but the train has left the station and because we are going green in

the U.S. that also means using green ingredients. In a perfect world

everything would be farmed organic but you and I both know that probably

will not happen any time soon.

You mentioned that looking for organic replacements for synthetic chemical

pesticides grossly overlooks the fact that what is really

necessary is to learn an entirely different method of farming. True, I agree

with this but synthetic chemicals are killing us, bottom line! So do you

think it would be more probable to use biopesticides or revolutionize the

whole agricultural industry?

I take your criticisms lightly and do not put much weight on the fact that

you would not get overly vested in sales of large quantities of oils to

farms. Farmers do not buy in 5ml bottles so don't worry about that. Stick to

what you know---Aromatherapy!

Be well,

Rachel Markel

Managing Partner

eoilco labs