6th – 12th June 2022

Aromatherapy Awareness Week is all about self-care, discovering the scientific truth behind essential oils and finding out what aromatherapy can do for you and those you love.

• Press Release
• Essential Oils & COVID19
• Research
• Aromatherapy & Various Conditions
• Practitioner Downloads
• Resources

Aromatherapy Awareness Week is an annual national campaign hosted by the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) to raise awareness of the clinical benefits of aromatherapy. Returning for its 14th year running, it seeks to educate the public about the difference aromatherapy can make to your life and the lives of people in your care. The campaign is brought to life by a multitude of individuals and companies who come together to organise events and activities throughout the UK, drawing attention to the important role aromatherapy has in healthcare management. This awareness campaign is a unique opportunity for all clinical aromatherapists and service suppliers in the industry to do something pro-active to raise the profile of the health benefits of aromatherapy.

Ancient history has provided anecdotal evidence of the therapeutic use of essential oils but, in the last few decades, increasing scientific research has evidenced and substantiated their health benefits. The objective evidence base which supports Aromatherapy comprises clinical trials, case histories, clinical audits and also patient reported outcome data. The amount of research, and the media profile of some studies, has led to a high level of public confidence in the efficacy of Aromatherapy. However, awareness and understanding of the full extent and benefits of essential oils, still requires greater recognition.

During the pandemic, research evidencing essential oils and their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties took centre stage. As we start to emerge out of the pandemic, the theme of this Week focuses on raising awareness of how essential oils can improve the psychological effects this unprecedented situation has had on mental health, as well as being a key therapeutic intervention in healthcare. In 2018 the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated Healthcare (PGIH) issued a report urging the government to embrace complementary, traditional and natural medicine to ease the mounting burden being placed on the NHS. Never before has the benefits of incorporating complementary and traditional approaches, to achieve optimum health and wellbeing, seemed so important.

The IFA realises that therapists often need encouragement and support to get involved in press and publicity campaigns, so the IFA PR team have put together a professional support package to give therapists the confidence to speak with a collective and informed voice to any sector of the community. Whether you send a tweet, run an event, contact your local media, or have your own ideas, there are all kinds of ways you can help to raise the profile of aromatherapy in the media and in your local community.

Equally, the awareness campaign is an opportunity for everyone to do something pro-active and to reach more people who would benefit from accessing the IFA’s information support services. The IFA urge everyone to use this week to discover new ways to improve their health using essential oils and self-care. The IFA would stress however, that it is vitally important for only the safe use of essential oils to be promoted, as some oils do have contraindications attached to them and restrictions on how they are administered. Caution must be exercised when using essential oils and where there is doubt, always contact an IFA registered Aromatherapist who will offer guidance on the oils that are suitable for individual needs.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About The International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA, previously IFPA)
The International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) is the professional body of choice for Aromatherapists worldwide, providing practitioners and non-practitioners with information, professional support and training. We regulate and accredit standards in Aromatherapy for both the practitioner and the course provider, and offer international qualifications through our accredited centres. The IFA register is approved by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) a UK body accountable to parliament. The IFA is actively involved with improving academic standards in the practice of aromatherapy and is also a charity committed to promoting and raising awareness of aromatherapy and disseminating information to the general public, as well as charity project initiatives in the medical field.

NB Whilst I am no longer a member of the IFPA, they supported me throughout my training and early practice and my views and values are very much in-keeping with theirs.