Just for the record ( add this to the trivia file) MOST of the world's Essential oils go into food processing & flavours especially Snack Foods. Its the way they get the really strong flavours which seem popular at the moment. Dried herbs are being used less and less. Black Pepper essential Oil is available. The high levels of vitamin C in fresh peppers would have some preseving effect. All EO's have some antibacterial and antifungal activity. Michael Bailes. Herbarist **************************************************************** The Fragrant Garden, Portsmouth Road, Erina. N.S.W. 2250 Australia. (OZ) International fax 61 243 651979 Phone 61 243 677322 Bookshop, nursery, media, school, garden, medical herbalist, cafe, herbal products, gift gallery, insanity. EMAIL: frgntgar@ozemail.com.au Web page at: http://www.fragrantgarden.com.au/ **************************************************************** Chilli Festival 1999 At TFG: 5, 6, 7 March see http://www.fragrantgarden.com.au/chillifestival/ ****************************************************************