Hello and welcome
to the
July issue of the Quinessence online Aromatherapy Newsletter.
Floral waters, flower waters or hydrosols. Which name do you know them by and do you know there is a difference?
In this months special feature Health-giving Hydrosols, Geoff brings you the
facts about these amazing natural products and explains how these precious waters have been in and out of favour throughout history. He also shows you the pitfalls to avoid when you are buying
these fragrant aromatic wonders.
The huge response to Sue's article last month, Summer Skin Care,
has led to an unscheduled follow up in this issue! We had lots
of emails from readers crying out for more of this type of
information. We aim to please, so don't miss her latest tips in
Six Steps to Beautiful Skin. And please do let us know about any
other topics you would like to see covered in upcoming
newsletters.
This
months Oil Profile features Thyme Sweet, which is a specialist essential oil that is
possibly not familiar to most home enthusiasts. Most of you will
be familiar with white or red Thyme, but this type is different
altogether. So if you
have ever wondered exactly what a 'chemotype' is all about, then you're
about to find out.
Pesticides have been back in the news recently when it was
reported that researchers may have discovered a link between
pesticides and Parkinson's disease. Although not conclusive,
this seems like yet another another piece of evidence strengthening the case for pesticides being relevant to the occupational risk of Parkinson's disease.
We
will give you a 50ml jar of Facial Exfoliator worth
£9.99 - absolutely FREE - when
you buy this selection of 50ml Vitamin E Cream & 50ml
Nourishing Hand Cream for their usual price of only
£19.98!*
From
our Aroma-botanicals range, these luxury skincare creams
are a revolutionary step forward in natural skincare, uniting the therapeutic benefits of Organic Essential Oils with the beautifying qualities of botanical
extracts:-
• Vitamin
E
Cream - Rejuvenate your skin and improve elasticity with this innovative cream combining the finest Neroli oil and Aloe Vera with protective vitamin ‘E’. This anti-aging vitamin still remains one of the finest natural anti-oxidants, neutralising the effects of free radicals and environmental damage. A highly versatile cream that can be used either day or night, and suitable for all skin types, particularly dry and mature.
• Nourishing
Hand
Cream - An intensive hand treatment to condition and protect your hands containing oils of Coconut, Myrrh and Elemi, plus soothing botanicals of Primrose and Horse Chestnut. This nutrient-rich combination promotes smooth, supple hands and provides effective protection against the environment. Massage over nails and cuticles daily to prevent splits and breaks.
• FREE
- Facial Exfoliator - Refine and improve skin texture with this creamy scrub containing organic Lavender, Apricot oil and marine botanicals. Olive stone micro-beads impart a gentle polishing action, removing dead skin cells and lifting impurities to reveal smoother, more radiant looking skin.
Can be applied to the body to refine dull, dry skin.
And
that's not all - when you take advantage of our offer this
month, delivery is FREE* to your door!
But
you need to hurry - this very special offer is only available online
during July and is strictly limited to the first 100 customers. So order now
to claim your FREE Facial Exfoliator!
*
U.K offer price only. Rest of World offer price - £21.50
July
Special Offer
Vitamin
E Cream 50ml containing Neroli plus
active botanicals
Nourishing Hand Cream 50ml containing Myrrh, Elemi & active botanicals
When essential oils are extracted by
steam distillation, some of the aromatic and healing principles held within the plant are
not captured during the process. These important components do not
escape into another dimension or disappear into a black hole,
thankfully they are absorbed by the steam or water that is used to extract
the oil.
This steam eventually condenses back into water, and now contains small
quantities of essential oil plus many of the water-soluble (hydrophilic)
parts of the plant. Supercharged with more active principles than
the essential oil from the plant, this ready to use product
offers a safe and convenient way to deliver a wide range of therapeutic and cosmetic
benefits.
Author of Hydrosols, Suzanne
Catty believes that 'Hydrosols contain all of the plant in every
drop . . .' - and that is an excellent way of describing them.
They contain the very essence of everything contained within the
plant when it was still alive and growing.
Out with
the old, in with the new
Technically described as a distillate water, this type of fragrant
co-product has been more recently referred to in aromatherapy as a hydrosol or
hydrolat(e). Prior to this in the United Kingdom, all distillate
waters were collectively known as flower or floral waters, and the
availability was usually restricted to just a popular few such as
lavender, rose and orange flower.
The historic term of floral water is now seriously outdated
though, since any essential oil extracted by a process of water or steam distillation will produce a distillate water as a
co-product. There are now a much larger selection of distillate waters produced from herbs, needles, leaves, woods, roots, barks and
seeds widely available. The term floral water is not
consistent with these products, so the name of hydrosol is being
adopted, albeit somewhat inconsistently as we will see later.
Aromatic pendulum
Until the Middle Ages the art of distillation was employed specifically for the purpose of producing these
precious aromatic waters, and amazingly, very little attention was paid to the precious essential oil produced. Essential oils were
utilised of course, but they were extracted by infusing the plant material in a vegetable oil until it had absorbed all
of the healing properties of the volatile oils. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans are all known to have made great use of
hydrosols for healing and aesthetic properties along with their infusions and unguents.
The exact time in history that distilled essential oils became popular in Europe is not known, but a renowned publication called
'Liber De Arte Distillandi' written by Hieronymus Brunschwig in Strassburg 1507 AD makes reference to only 4 essential oils. Suffice it to say that as essential oils became increasingly more popular, the use of hydrosols began to slowly decline. By the early 20th Century the healing benefits of these miracle waters were generally being ignored, with the precious hydrosols actually being thrown away after distilling the essential oil. The aromatic pendulum had now swung the other
way, - but why, you may wonder?
Did you know?
The term hydrosol is a combination of the words hydro (water) and sol - from solution; a colloidal dispersion of a solid in a liquid medium.
The French word for milk is lait, and this forms part of the term
hydrolate, and refers to its milky appearance as it emerges from the still.
Above
- A typical 'family' still in Tunisia which is used to produce both Neroli essential oil and 'Orange Flower'
hydrosol for
the family.
The distillate water is heated from below and the essential oil floats to the surface where it is simply skimmed off. The hydrosol is tapped off into a bucket.
Not very hi-tech - but it works beautifully!
Did
you know?
Hydrosols do not always smell like their essential oil counterpart,
and this is due to the difference in their chemical make-up.
Roman and German Chamomile for example, both have a quite musky and earthy fragrance unlike the oil, but their health giving properties more than make up for this.
But on the other hand, Rose and Orange Flower hydrosols are absolutely exquisite and much more representative of the source flowers.
In fact, many people prefer the fragrance of these
hydrosols to the oil. Each to their own!
Heavy
water?
It was the logistics of transportation that had caused this decline in
interest, because the high shipping costs from the country of
manufacture far outweighed any realistic commercial value for this relatively low
cost, co-product. The only exceptions were perhaps rose and orange 'floral waters' which were
still quite popular up until the 1950's, when they began to be replaced with cheaper synthetics in the
U.K. Pharmacies had begun to sell a synthetic concentrate of rose or
orange flower which was diluted at home and used in cake icing, cooking or salads.
It is only quite recently that there has been an increase in interest for these
ready to use products, and this is of course great news. Unfortunately, newcomers to aromatherapy are often confused by the different terms used,
leaving them unsure as to exactly what is, and what is not, a true hydrosol.
And who can blame them, given the dubious practices of some less
knowledgeable suppliers?
Is
it the real thing . . . .
Many of the 'floral waters' available today have been made with
synthetic compounds which have no therapeutic or beautifying
qualities. Others are produced by adding essential oils
or absolutes to water by using alcohol or some other type of
dispersant or solvent. This may appear to be perfectly acceptable, since
the finished product contains essential oil and has a pleasant fragrance similar to a natural
hydrosol.
However, this type of reconstituted product lacks the wealth of vital healing properties
present in a true hydrosol, - remember, many of the plant
constituents dissolved into the water whilst extracting the oil,
so they were never present in the essential oil in the first place! Therefore
adding an essential oil to water will never create a product with the same healing benefits as
a true hydrosol. There is simply no substitute, so don't let
anybody try and fool you.
Buyer
beware!
Of late it has become quite common for these man-made products to be
misleadingly referred to as hydrosols or hydrolats by some
manufacturers and suppliers, thus making the situation extremely confusing.
Be sure to seek reassurances that you are buying a natural,
co-product and not a re-constituted counterpart.
Also watch out for so-called hydrolates produced from sources
such as citrus fruits or flowers that are extracted by solvents. Since
citrus essential oils are cold pressed and not steam distilled, it is difficult
to see how these products can possibly be genuine. Lime essential oil is about the only exception since this is
more commonly distilled rather than cold pressed. Jasmine
'hydrosol' is another example of a man-made product, since the oil
is almost exclusively extracted by the use of solvents and is not
steam distilled.
Aroma-therapeutic
uses
Hydrosols are highly versatile and can be used for personal care
and around the house. In skincare, Rose, Neroli (Orange Blossom)
and Lavender hydrosols are great for hydrating dry skin and
cooling hot and sensitised skin. If you have been out in the sun
too long and got burned, Lavender hydrosol is soothing and
comforting as well as healing. Used in the final rinse after
shampooing hydrosols help to condition hair and add a shine.
I have yet to find a better remedy for puffy, dark circles under
the eyes than Chamomile hydrosol. Just soak two cotton wool pads
with the hydrosol and cover each eye for around 10 minutes for an
immediate and dramatic reduction in puffiness. Regular use can
help diminish those dreaded dark circles too.
Perfect
for summer
This time of year hydrosols are perfect to use as a cooling body
mist, and the most cooling of all is Peppermint. Make sure you
take some with you to use on holidays, on the beach and even to
cool those aching tootsies when you are out shopping! Hydrosols
help to revitalise you when your energies are beginning to flag,
and a few sprays onto a tissue makes a handy wet-wipe for all
sorts of applications including babies and grubby children.
To calm a restless baby try adding a few tablespoons of Lavender
or Chamomile hydrosol into their bathwater. This can be especially
beneficial if your baby is suffering from nappy rash or eczema,
because the soothing properties of these hydrosols help calm the irritation and speed
up the healing process. Hydrosols are quite safe to use on young
children, and since they only contain a small amount of essential
oil they do not need diluting much further except as above when using with
very young
babies.
A green
alternative
Hydrosols such as Rose or Neroli can be added to the final rinse
water in your washing cycle as well as used as a fragrant linen
spray whilst ironing since they smell much nicer than their
synthetic counterparts. Around the house, hydrosols are great to
freshen the air instead of using aerosols which of course are harmful to the
environment.
Right now the future for these miracle healing waters looks much brighter than for a very long time, partly due to the growing interest in aromatherapy. There have also been vital contributions from authors such as Jeanne Rose, Nelly Grosjean and more recently Suzanne Catty. These, and other pioneering spirits have helped to rekindle the interest in this most versatile and gentle of aspect of aromatherapy.
Let's hope this encouraging trend continues.
New
products - Aromatherapy Soaps
The
latest additions to our Aroma-botanicals Collection are
hand-made aromatherapy soaps filled with natural organic oils and botanical ingredients to cleanse, moisturise and nourish your precious skin. The luxurious rich and creamy lather produced by our gentle, long-lasting soaps
is designed to leave your skin clean, velvety soft, and lightly scented.
Unlike commercial grade soaps, our hand-crafted soaps do not contain animal fats, synthetic dyes, artificial preservatives, lathering agents or hardeners. Our hypo-allergenic cleansing bars are 100% vegetable based containing the purest Olive, Coconut, Jojoba and Palm oils, enriched with plant botanicals and essential oils. As always with Quinessence products, they have not been tested on animals.
To ensure freshness, they are hand-crafted in small batches, hand cut and allowed to cure for over 4 weeks to produce a hard, long-lasting bar. Finally, each cleansing bar is individually wrapped to prevent the loss of precious aroma and moisturising properties.
If your skin is too sensitive to tolerate commercial soaps, try one of our hand made aromatherapy soaps and we promise you will feel a difference.
This new range includes following cleansing bars:-
Green Tea Soap
A gentle astringent and toning bar that leaves you feeling
fresh and revitalised thanks to the amazing properties of Green
Tea. As well as being a natural antibacterial, Green Tea is also
an anti-oxidant that helps reduce the level of cell-damaging free radicals.
A great deodorising bar for the shower and bath.
Lavender Soap
Calming and soothing Lavender essential oil is blended with
moisturising Jojoba to bring you the perfect cleansing bar for dry,
flaky or
sensitive skin. The classic fragrance of lavender creates a
wonderfully relaxing experience that is perfect to de-stress you
after a hectic day.
Linden & Ylang Soap
A rich and creamy soap scented with the lush, exotic
fragrance of Linden Blossom and Ylang Ylang oils. Enriched with Jojoba
oil, this captivating cleansing bar provides moisture and refreshment for your
face and body, and is perfect for dry or
mature skin.
Orange & Cinnamon Soap
Awaken your senses with the fragrance
of this energising and invigorating cleansing bar, containing a
delicious blend of fruit, spice and skin moisturising oils.
Orange and cinnamon contain natural anti-bacterial and deodorising
properties which makes this bar ideal for your morning shower. The fresh and zesty fragrance
makes it a cleansing bar your man
will love too!
Rose Geranium Soap
Calm and balance your mind and body with the seductive and
sensuous aroma of Rose Geranium. The balancing and rejuvenating
qualities of this oil in combination with Olive, Coconut, Palm
and Jojoba oils provides much needed hydration to dry, tired
skin. A totally sensual bathing experience!
Vanilla & Oatmeal Soap
Oatmeal is one of natures mildest exfoliators, gently lifting dirt,
oil and dead skin cells away leaving your skin feeling smooth, soft
and fresh. The luscious aroma of vanilla is soothing and
comforting to the senses, and absolutely irresistible!
Did you know?
One of the secrets of beautiful skin lies in effectively
removing excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells.
But not many people realise that most commercial soaps
contain tallow - which is animal fat, as well as
petroleum derived detergents!
This is hardly the best thing to apply to your face and
body whilst
trying to cleanse it, and it is not surprising that your
skin is left feeling taught and dry.
Vegetable based soaps offer a much more gentle and
moisturising approach to cleansing your skin.
Click
to Order
Six
steps to Beautiful Skin
Last
month we looked at how aromatherapy can be used to prepare your
skin for the hot sunny weather, and this generated a large
amount of feedback and queries from readers. Thank you! We love
to get feedback from you, since this is what helps us decide
what subjects to cover each month, - after all, there's not much
point in us writing about subjects you are not interested in.
Please keep the feedback coming, good or bad!
By far the most common question that cropped up in last months
mailbag was 'what makes a good skin care regime?' This is a very
good question, and although I did touch upon it slightly when
explaining how to prepare the skin for tanning, many readers
wanted to know more about the other steps that would make up a
complete regime. So this month we will look at this important
subject, step by step.
• Cleanse -
Always deep-cleanse your skin before applying any products.
Avoid using commercial soap since this can be very drying, instead
use a cleanser with gentle ingredients. Dispense your cleanser onto the fingertips and gently rub them together to warm it slightly. Apply the lotion to the face and neck with light circular movements to dislodge
and remove any impurities. Don’t rub or stretch your
skin, or use excessively hot water since this can damage your
skin over time.
• Tone - To remove any
final traces of cleanser and to close your
pores always use a toner that does not disturb the skins
delicate pH balance. Hydrosols such as Rose, Orange Blossom or Lavender
are excellent for this job because of the added skin conditioning benefits they bring. Soak
two cotton wool pads with toner or hydrosol, and with upward and outward movements sweep across the face and neck.
• Moisturise - Daytime replenishment is absolutely essential to keep your skin soft and free from
the drying effects of the sun. After completing your cleansing routine apply some cream or lotion to your finger pads, gently rub together to warm and apply to the face and neck in upward and outward movements. Don't
forget to hydrate the eye zone, but be sure to use a very light
product which is designed for this. Quinessence Aloe Vera and
Lavender Gel hydrates and soothes, making it perfect for this
type of application.
• Night repair - Overnight treatments are especially beneficial since as you sleep, your skin is replenished and renewed. Warm your chosen night treatment cream between the finger pads and apply in upward and outward movements to the face and neck avoiding the eye area. Don’t forget the neck and décolleté area since like your hands, it can reveal your age!
• Exfoliate - Ideally, you should exfoliate
once or twice a week to keep your skin in tip-top condition. Apply your exfoliator and work in a circular motion over the face and body to slough off dead skin cells and reveal revitalised, fresh skin. Pay particular attention to elbows and kneecaps - especially if you are going to use a
fake tanning lotion since these areas will absorb lotion unevenly if the skin is very dry and unconditioned.
• Mask - Use a clay mask for facials if possible, since they are absorbent and help to draw out impurities in the
skin and unclog the pores. Apply a fine even layer taking care to avoid the delicate eye area. Leave to dry for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Skin
Care Creams
To
browse our complete range of aromatherapy skincare creams, select the store for the area where you live.
The
Thymus genus belongs
to the Lamiaceae family and is highly complex, consisting of over 100 different
species known by more than 300 'common' names. The species of thyme used for the production of essential oil
Thymus vulgaris, and is believed to be an improved, cultivated form of the wild thyme which originated in the mountainous regions of Spain and Europe.
Within
the species Thymus vulgaris, there are then several different
chemotypes
including thymol, linalool, geraniol, thuyanol and a-terpinyl
acetate. A chemotype is a natural variation that occurs within a
species which produces a variation in the plants chemical
constituents. The plant will often physically look the same, but
the altitude, soil or climatic conditions will bring about a
significant change in the oil that the plant produces.
Of the five Thymus vulgaris chemotypes, the thymol type (thyme
white or red) is the
most popular in aromatherapy. However, this month we are looking at the
less familiar linalool chemotype, or 'sweet' thyme as the essential oil
is more commonly known.
Origin and
description
Common thyme was originally native to Spain and the Mediterranean, and
has now spread throughout the world being cultivated for the production
of essential oil in many countries. However, thyme linalool is only cultivated in a few areas of France at present, usually at a height of 1,200 metres or more.
Thyme linaloolis a hardy perennial herbaceous shrub which grows to a height of 25 cms (10 ins),
with small, oval or oblong leaves which are green in spring,
turning grey in the dry summer. At the end of spring tiny flowers
blossom in pairs or singles under the leaves, with the colour
flowers varying from white or pale pink through to purplish.
All varieties of thyme dislike an excess of moisture, and prefers to grow in dry, stony
soil - very much the same conditions preferred by lavender. It
thrives best with lots of room for it to spread its flowered stems
and deep roots. The whole plant is highly aromatic, producing a
pleasing sweet, herbaceous and slightly balsamic fragrance.
Harvesting
and distillation
Sweet thyme is normally harvested in late September when the linalool content is at its peak.
It is not normally collected by mechanical harvesting; the farmers
usually prefer to collect the plant by hand using secateurs, and
it is extremely laborious and time consuming. This is another
contributing factor towards the cost of this special oil.
The essential oil is extracted from the leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation, or
sometimes water and steam distillation. The yield is quite low for
this type of herb, at
around 0.3 or 0.4%, which is the principal reason this variety of
thyme is more expensive than the others.
Aromatherapy
uses
The natural chemistry of thyme linalool is very different to that
of thyme white, since it contains far less thymol, and up to 15
times more linalool. This therefore reduces the efficacy of its
outstanding antiseptic properties, but opens up a wealth of other
useful therapeutic benefits.
Sweet thyme oil is a highly effective neurotonic, which put simply
means it gives a boost to the body's nervous system. It also has a
pronounced immunostimulant action which helps to boost the immune
system after, for example, a course of powerful antibiotics. It is
quite common for antibiotics to weaken the body's natural defense
system as well destroy invading bacteria, leaving you open to
yet more infection.
These fortifying and strengthening properties make sweet thyme a very useful oil to use for
stress, nervous exhaustion, burn-out and a compromised immune
system. Aromatherapists often use this oil to treat clients
suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) which is more
commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and multiple
sclerosis (MS). It also gives an uplifting boost to the emotions,
which can help to revive and fortify low spirits.
Used in massage and baths it is also good for arthritis,
rheumatism and sciatica, as well as general muscular aches and pains. When
vaporised, this oil helps relieve spasmodic and dry coughs, asthma
and hay fever.
It blends easily with many other essential oils, but particularly
well with bergamot, geranium, lavender and all citrus oils. Sweet thyme is far more gentle
in action than white thyme, which makes it the better option for
use with children.
Did
you know?
It is believed the name thyme in its Greek form was first given to
the plant by the Greeks as a derivative of the word 'thymos' or 'thurmo',
which meant 'to perfume or fumigate'.
This may have been because
it was used as an incense due to its sweet and balsamic fragrance.
Others
believe the name is derived from the Greek word 'thumus' which signifies
courage. In mediaeval days thyme was believed to be a great source of invigoration,
and was presented to Knights to inspire great courage.
Common
thyme was used in religious ceremonies by the Egyptians and
Greeks, and in England it was used to ward off the Black Death in
1603.
Did
you know?
The great Roman writer Pliny (c23-79 AD), who was an authority on all things scientific in Europe, said of Thyme;-
'When burnt, it puts to flight all venomous creatures'.
Hmmmmm, that gives me an idea . . . .
Quinessence
scoops top Award!
In the
Natural Health and Beauty magazine Awards 2005, Quinessence Rose
in Jojoba Dilution has been voted the outright winner in the
'Best Face Oil' category!
To win this prestigious award we had to fight off strong
competition from well known rival companies such as Neal's Yard Remedies,
Tisserand, Dr Hauschka, Elemis and Dermalogica. Hundreds of
natural products were tested to see which ones actually lived up to their
claims - although in all modesty we don't really make any claims
about this product.
People who practice aromatherapy are usually familiar with the vast
range of therapeutic benefits that can be gained when using rose
oil, the greatest challenge for consumers is actually finding a
good quality, unadulterated rose oil at a truly competitive
price.
The Quinessence Rose Dilution offers excellent value for money
and is available in either a 5% or 10% concentration, so you can
choose according to your budget. Other precious floral oils available in this range
includes; Jasmine, Linden Blossom, Melissa True, Neroli,
Tuberose and Violet Leaf. Watch out for exciting new additions to
this range that will be revealed here next month!
Extracted by an advanced carbon dioxide process, our pure Rose
oil (Rosa centifolia) is diluted in moisturising Jojoba oil
to help bring you soft and radiant skin. Jojoba oil has a shelf
life of many, many years which means unlike most diluted
essential oils it does not have a short therapeutic life
expectancy.
Simply add a few drops of Quinessence Rose Dilution
to a light carrier oil such as Sweet Almond, Apricot or Peach
Kernal oil to experience the benefits that Rose oil can bring
to your complexion. Of course, you need not restrict its use
just to your face - it can be used anywhere on the body to
improve the skins condition.
Dilution
Range
To browse our complete range of Dilutions
select the store for the area where you live.
Click
to see more
Pesticides
linked to Parkinson's disease
Suspicions
that pesticides could cause Parkinson's disease have recently
been strengthened. Investigators who have studied almost 3000 people in five European
countries have concluded that the more pesticide you are exposed to, the higher your risk of developing the
disease. These results reinforce the need for amateur gardeners and farmers alike to wear protective equipment when spraying pesticides, the team
concluded.
Anthony Seaton is the principal investigator of the Geoparkinson study which
was held at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Seaton
says, "It considerably strengthens the case for pesticides being relevant to occupational risk of Parkinson's
disease". The study was funded by the European Commission and followed volunteers in Scotland, Italy, Sweden, Romania and Malta.
The researchers questioned 767 people with Parkinson's disease and 1989 healthy controls with similar backgrounds about several risk factors associated with the disease, including exposure to pesticides.
It was discovered that people with Parkinson's were more likely to have used pesticides regularly. Users with low exposure such as amateur gardeners were 9% more likely than non-users to develop the disease, and high-exposure users such as farmers were 43% more likely.
David Coggon of the University of Southampton, UK, and chairman of the British government's Advisory Committee on Pesticides, said the study's
weakness which was acknowledged by the authors, is that it could not identify which pesticides were responsible. "It's possible that just one or two are causing it, but slipped through the regulatory net," says Coggon. It would be more helpful, he adds, for studies to monitor exposure to individual pesticides as and when they are used, rather than relying on people's memories of their usage.
To put the pesticide risks into perspective, Seaton says that the study identified other, much stronger risk factors. Having a family history of the disease increases your risk by 350 per cent, although they found no link between risk of Parkinson's and 18 gene mutations suspected of causing the disease. Being knocked unconscious once raises the risk by 32 per cent, rising to 174 per cent for those who have been knocked out several times.
What
is Parkinsons?
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive,
neuro-degenerative disease, and is incurable. It causes the loss of dopamine, a chemical in the brain, which results in muscle stiffness and rigidity, slowness in movement and tremor of the arms and legs.
Damage to nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra leads to the movement difficulties characteristic of Parkinson's disease.
Therefore, people exposed to chemicals that have a particular affinity for this region of the brain may be at particular risk for developing the disease.
