AZ for Humans

We had a lot of fun at the two AZ for Human classes with some amazing results:

It was amazing how many students responded to sweet orange oil to help their ailments ranging from allergies to rheumatoid arthritis (possibly brought on by a viral infection), to stomach disturbances.

We all witnessed many of the results before our eyes. We started with muscle testing and then went on to smell and taste to assess what was needed.

On the Sunday class two of the students responded to carrot seed, one to wild carrot seed, and the other regular carrot seed. To take the test further, they had to smell both carrot seeds (not knowing which was which). It was fascinating for everyone to witness that both students, picked out the oil they had responded to. For those who think humans have lost their ability to use their sense of smell, I think we proved a point.

Some of the conditions encountered during the classes were:

• Psoriasis/ eczema: patch partially disappeared before our eyes using neat roman and german chamomile
• Rheumatoid arthritis (sudden onset): Responded to similar oils to those selected by the goats viral infection, characterised by arthritic symptoms. No pain oils were selected, only anti-viral. As she sipped her hot water with two drops of clove bud and put Melissa and Orange on her tongue, the ache began to ease and fade
• Swollen knee (was getting worse by the day): Applied German Chamomile, Birch, Immortelle and Carrot Seed oil. The oils absorbed very quickly into the leg. The blue disappeared quickly in areas where it was needed most. The swelling went down before our eyes and she could walk again with ease. Feedback: Overnight, the oedema did not return, and the joint did not become stiff and painful as it normally would
• Irritated eye: Responded to liquorice root. Took several teaspoons and said her eye felt a lot better by the end of the day
• Recovery from pneumonia. Took clove oil in warm water, which was alleviating the symptoms. Using her intuition to apply the oils, the student used diluted lavender rubbed onto her chest (where old scar tissue resided in the lungs from previous bouts of pneumonia), she also wanted to rub frankincense around the neck 

I think everyone learnt a lot and understandably it was hugely valuable to feel the effect of the oil on oneself.

Eye awareness

Cleaning around the eye:

The eyes are one of the most sensitive areas of the body and as such must never come into direct contact with an essential oil. When using something like a Sandlawood wipe around the eye, make sure any excess water is squeezed out of the cotton wool. The dilution should be no more than 1 to 2 drops of Sandalwood in 50ml of water or Cornflower water.



It needs to be noted that when working with your clients, you have taught them how to clean around the eye, should that be necessary, and inform them that Cornflower water is extracted from a blue flower and is not obtained from the flour used in cooking.

More on grapes

Grapes are still very much a topic of discussion in classes, since grape seed oil is very popular with dogs and when they select it they do seem to do well on it, but as discussed in a previous blog it is unclear as to whether the whole grape, in rare cases is toxic for some dogs, even fatal, or if it is just the flesh or skin. However in the October dog class, a student told us that her dog had had had a seizer due to eating grapes, none the less when she read that dogs often select the oil with positive effects she decided to offer the grape seed oil, which he continues to take with no ill effect.

This makes me wonder if the culprit is mycotoxin (a fungal toxin) found on the skin of some grapes, especially taking into consideration the work of Sarah Kinson with captive meerkats. Sarah noticed that the only food being taken to the clay was the grapes, which they were dusting them in it before eating them. Another student noticed his parrot pealing the skin off some grapes but not others.

IAZ clothing range

We are very happy to announce that the IAZ clothing range is now available to IAZ graduates:

Practitioner leaflets

We are delighted to say that the practitioner leaflets have arrived. These are the equivalent of an A4 sheet with three folds (the leaflets come already folded). They are available to all IAZ graduates, see website for more details:

More goats, and bovine this time

Fantastic: We have just received more photos and updates on our work in France from Dr Bernadette Lichtfouse




Tom, Dr Bernadette Lichtfouse and myself

We have been told that several farmers have started to use the oils…with very promising results. One farmer has created a blog and another has begun recording data on quantities selected at the farm below, (where we did our first demonstration/talk).



French goat farmers carry remedies for the herd to choose from

The heard in the photo below suffered mainly from nematode infestations, they are exploring clove oil (blue bucket), however not surprisingly garlic essential oil, which has the potential to paralyse the worms within 15 minutes preventing them from reproducing, was favoured (green bucket). What we then saw was fascinating; there was a sudden noise that caused the goats to run in fear to the other end of the paddock, however one remained undisturbed. She was very underweight, most likely worm ridden (see photo below). An innate response would have been to run with the herd for protection, but the garlic would be of greater interest to her survival.


Goats selecting clove oil



One goat stayed behind selecting garlic when the heard left

We spent the final afternoon working with bovines, they were in a beautiful setting in the French countryside. We collected water from the river and put a selection of oils in buckets. They all seemed pretty healthy, but we were interested to see if they needed a particular oil. We offered peppermint, melissa, garlic, clove, green clay, thyme and rose oil. Melissa (generally selected for viral conditions) was the favoured and they finished a 5 litre bucket while we were there, the next favourite oil was clove and a couple selected rose, one of the couple had just given birth, and the other had reproductive problems.

A very busy October: updated 22.10.12

Having returned from our success in France I was invited to talk to thirty students of Natalie Lenton's school of canine massage therapy in Worcestershire.

I spent a very enjoyable day giving a presentation on Applied Zoopharmacognosy and worked with two lovely and responsive dogs during the afternoon session.

We have had an immense amount of positive feedback from this day with many looking at how they can use zoopharmacognosy to calm anxious and nervous dogs. This will then deepen the effects of the canine massage.

Aside from the dogs, we had a rather unusual occurrence. One of the students became aware of an aroma in the demonstration, and then announced to the class, that for the first time in her life, she was able to cross her left leg over her right. She did this subconsciously, and had tried many different therapies without success, and had little understanding why she had this physical problem.


We have also had a Canine practical weekend at Tilley Farm this month, and while this was going on we were also invited to talk with 1st year students from Bristol University. Martin and Lynn represented me, and they gave a demonstration at Holly Hedge. This in turn was followed by the apothecary course that was enjoyed by all.

The month continues with a talk this weekend at Sheila Harpers (International Dog Behaviour and Training Programme), finishing at the end of the month with the Equine practical in the Dorset countryside at Bittles Brook Farm.

Below are a few of our photo highlights so far:

Being introduced by Natalie Lenton

A lot of processing going on

The first step to success for a dog very fearful of polished floors

Jane did a great job teaching the apothecary day and everybody took home a selection of herbal remedies from creams to anti parasitic sprays.  Jane's expertise as a medical herbalist provided a great learning experience with a variety of wood barks and herbs. There was a great atmosphere in the classroom with old and new students sharing their stories. There were faces that I had not seem for a while and it was good to see everyone again. We will have dates up shortly for the next apothecary day in Spring 2013.

Tracy hard at work

The class get to grips with a recipe

Focused teamwork

Cooking underway