2019 AIA Conference

Hello Aroma Friends,

I am just back from the Alliance of International Aromatherapists held here in Minneapolis this year. It was an honor to be a speaker, and to present my work in bringing aromatherapy into healthcare, especially in my hometown!

I learned so much - still digesting!  This blog post captures a few trends and takeaways I found important enough to share with you.

My Top Three Take-Aways from Conference

1.    Essential Oils in Healthcare Reduces the Use of Medications - It's Expanding Rapidly!

          Aromatherapy reduces the use of some medications for anxiety, nausea, and pain. It also gives patients a simple self-care tool that they can continue to use at home. It definitely improves patient satisfaction scores, it's a Win-Win!
In the future, as more licensed healthcare professionals become educated in clinical aromatherapy, we will see more uses of essential oils in oncology, wound care, lymphedema, infections…visualizing a bright future!

2.    Minnesota Practices Freedom to Choose Holistic & Integrative Therapies!

          MN is one of 12 states to adopt "Safe Harbor Exemption Bills" that protect access to health care practitioners who do not hold state occupational licenses and are currently practicing in the public domain. We should not take this for granted!
"Historically health care practitioners in states that do not have the Safe Harbor Exemption Bill have been unfairly charged with practice of medicine without a license. Safe Harbor Exemption laws for these practitioners protect consumer access to the broad range of health care and healing practitioners, such as herbalists, traditional naturopaths, homeopaths, bodyworkers, and culturally specific healing practices".
Info from The Health Freedom Landscape, National Health Freedom Coalition.

We are getting mixed messages from the government and allopathic medicine about integrative and holistic therapies.

Due to the Opioid crisis, we are encouraged to use non-pharm options when possible instead of medications and seek therapies like acupuncture, massage, etc

On the other hand, licensed practitioners may not refer clients to non-licensed therapists, and insurance providers are not yet approving these services or products as consumers are seeking alternatives. A goal will be to provide education and referrals to reputable practitioners for patients seeking our services.

My takeaway from this observation is, We must stand up for our right to choose who we seek help from, and what substances and methodologies we choose.

3.    The Future of Essential Oils? Requires Wisdom.

          The future looks bright with new research, consumer interest, and positive outcomes for a variety of physical and emotional needs. However - I think we have some "growth challenges" ahead. Aromatherapists agree, less is more.
Overuse use of essential oils is at near epidemic levels in my opinion. The effects of unskilled use, especially in the public realm are resulting in:

·         Skin reactions and rashes

·         Unknown influence on the gut biome and delicate mucosa tissue due to long term ingesting of essential oils. Oils are antimicrobial...

·         Irritation of airways for those with serious lung conditions, due to poorly selected oils for public diffusion, like cinnamon for example.

Less is More! Overuse means more than 3-5 drops per day, whether inhaled or topically applied and if needed internally consumed. There are many variables here, which oil, on whom, for what, how is it administered, what is the dilution rate. In general, 3-5 drops are plenty for most symptoms.

Sourcing Pure Essential Oils is Trickier Than Ever as people shop online for the best price and have no idea what is inside the bottle. When chemists have tested random sampling of this type of product, they find synthetic and sometimes harmful ingredients, not pure essential oils.
Buyer beware - new companies are popping up everywhere! Look for established suppliers or companies with knowledgeable Aromatherapist on staff. 

Buying from Unreputable Sources Impacts Natural Resources One expert, Kelly Ablard, Ph.D. in Chemical Ecology, Aromatherapist, and director for the Airmid Institute which supports aromatherapy training in indigenous communities is focusing on the sustainability of medicinal plants.

Kelly passionately dedicates her time to educating about the unsustainability of certain plants that are harvested for their essential oils that will face extinction, unless we "ignite a conservative consciousness and guide decision making in the world of aromatherapy".  The consumer must be diligent about their about the source of the plants.

Solutions?
As in any skilled therapy, seek sources and advice from trained professionals if you want high quality. We would not work with suppliers who do not meet our criteria in essential oil quality!
Invest in a consultation with a trained and experienced aromatherapist. As with all skilled therapies, you can go it alone and hope for the best, or work with a professional who will responsibly provide options and educate you on how to use it effectively. You will ultimately spend much less money, and have better success.

Learn about my Personal Aromatherapy Consulting Services!

I offer consultations for personal use, and for healthcare professionals using essential oils in patient care.

Schedule a Consultation!
We can work by phone or at my studio in Osseo. 

In closing, I hope you've found this newsletter helpful, inspiring, and eye-opening!
Keep an eye out for another email from us next week - a special sale is coming up!

Be well,
Jodi Baglien, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist
[email protected]
612-802-9483