NPA Natural Standard for Home Care Products

The Natural Products Association has developed the Natural Products Association Standard and Certification for Home Care Products, which will help "protect and equip consumers to maximize their well being," according to the NPA website.

The NPA describes their Certification as "guidelines that dictate whether a product can be deemed truly 'natural,'" and includes home care products like household cleaners, laundry detergents, and ready-to-use hard-surface cleaners. Certified products would bear the NPA natural home care seal.

As outlined on the NPA website, establishing a standard for natural home care products would help ensure:

• Natural Ingredients: A product labeled "natural" should be made up of only, or at least almost only, natural ingredients and be manufactured with appropriate processes.
• Safety: A product labeled "natural" should avoid any ingredient that has peer-reviewed, scientific research showing human health or environmental risk.
• Responsibility: A product labeled "natural" should use no animal testing in its development except where required by law.
• Sustainability: A product labeled "natural" should use biodegradable ingredients and the most environmentally sensitive packaging.

The criteria for products that want to bear the Natural Certification seal include, but are not limited to:

• Product must be made up of at least 95 percent truly natural ingredients or ingredients that are derived from natural sources, excluding water
• No ingredients with any suspected human health risks
• No processes that significantly or adversely alter the natural ingredients
• Ingredients that come from a purposeful, natural source (flora, fauna, mineral)
• Processes that are minimal and don't use synthetic/harsh chemicals
• Non-natural ingredients only when no viable natural alternative ingredient are available and only when there are absolutely no suspected potential human health risks

To read more about Certification, including how to apply, visit the NPA website here: http://www.npainfo.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=NaturalStandard_homecare

>>To start using natural products in your home today, check out the Aromatherapy Spring Cleaning Kit from the Apothecary Shoppe, including organic essential oils and a how-to guide for cleaning your home with essential oils.

Adverse Event Reporting for Registered Aromatherapists

BY Arianna Staruch, ND, ACHS Academic Dean

According to the FDA, a dietary supplement is a product intended to supplement the diet, which must be labeled as such and intended for ingestion. Ingredients in dietary supplements can include vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids, dietary substances used to increase the entire dietary intake, concentrates, metabolites, constituents, extracts, or combination of these ingredients. If ingested, then, essential oils can be considered a dietary supplement and should be treated with the same precaution as more traditional supplements.

For that purpose, Registered Aromatherapists (RAs) should familiarize themselves with the new guidance information released by the FDA regarding Adverse Event Reporting and Recordkeeping for Dietary Supplements as Required by the Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act. Though this Act does not require reports of adverse effects for foods other than dietary supplements, voluntary submission of reports of "serious adverse events associated with all FDA-regulated foods " are encouraged.

The FDA website defines an adverse event is considered "any health-related event associated with the use of a dietary supplement that is adverse." For RAs who use essential oils internally with their clients, reporting of any adverse events will not only increase general safety but will actively develop a database of current research to help the professional community better understand the potential effects and applications of botanical-based products.

To submit a report of a serious adverse event to the FDA, a MedWatch Form 3500A should be used. This form is also called a FDA Form 3500A. When submitting a form, the submitter is asked to include: an identifiable patient, an identifiable initial reporter, the identity and contact information for the responsible person, a suspect dietary supplement, and a serious adverse event or fatal outcome. (The FDA defines a 'serious adverse event' as one that results in a: death, life-threatening experience, inpatient hospitalization, persistent/significant disability or incapacity, congenital anomaly or birth defect, or an outcome previously listed that requires medical or surgical intervention to prevent.)

References:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/ucm085568.htm

>> This article first appeared in the Aromatherapy Registration Council September 2009 newsletter. CLICK HERE to download the complete newsletter.

>> Read "Natural perfume making with essential oils" on the ACHS website

ACHS launches seven new career-oriented credential programs

The Australasian College of Health Sciences (ACHS) has launched seven new career-oriented credential programs beginning January 2009.

The College developed these one-of-a-kind programs to meet growing industry demand for accessible, holistic health career training. Specially designed to meet the needs of higher education’s fast-growing population—non-traditional students—ACHS now offers greater access to viable CAM-based careers and businesses. As alternative holistic health continues to increase in visibility and desirability, the College will continue to develop course offerings and programs that service the needs of a growing profession.

History tells us that in times of national economic uncertainty, higher education is the go-to solution for professional re-tooling and development. Yet, today, many non-traditional students are unable to attend traditional, daytime classes. The increasingly viable solution is accredited, online education. Students who enroll in one of the Australasian College’s career-oriented credential programs: 1) receive accredited education for a sustainable career in the growing holistic health industry; 2) save money by minimizing transportation costs; 3) and can continue to work while completing their studies, because ACHS courses are available from any computer, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The College’s new career-oriented credential programs include: Certificate in Herbal Retail Management, Certificate in Natural Products Manufacturing, Certificate in Holistic Nutrition Consulting, Certificate in Iridology Consulting, Certificate in Homeopathy Consulting, Certificate in Dynamic Phytotherapy Consulting, and Certificate in Wellness Consulting.

Program graduates will prepare for careers in: holistic health consulting, health food retailing and management, herbal and aromatherapy product manufacturing, wellness and community education, holistic nutrition, professional health care continuing education, and more.
Credential programs range from three to five courses, and can be completed in a minimal investment of one term with full-time, concurrent enrollment.

VA funding is available as of January 2009, which makes it easy for U.S. Armed Forces servicemembers, military spouses, and veterans to maximize their education benefits and invest in their future with a career in holistic health.

Additional course descriptions, registration requirements, and funding information are available through the ACHS Admissions Department. Visit www.achs.edu or call (800) 487-8839, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.

Or, visit achs.edu and click on a specific Department: Aromatherapy, Herbal Medicine, Dynamic Phytotherapy, or Holistic Medicine.