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 15th 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 Aromatherapist
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.
Note to press - anyone promoting our Aromatherapy Awareness Week must include that this initiative was created by the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA).
The Effect of Inhalation of Aroma of Geranium Essence on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters during First Stage of Labor in Nulliparous Women: a Randomized Clinical Trialhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4484988/
“The more you study aromatherapy, the more you realise there is to understand” Micheline Arcier
Below you can download information of how essential oils can be used with various conditions and symptoms of conditions. Please note, essential oils should be handled with care and with the appropriate training. For anyone on medication, the very young or elderly and those with specific heath issues and palliative care please seek advice from your GP before consulting a professional aromatherapist . If you would like to train as an aromatherapist, either to start a new career venture or simply to improve your own health and wellbeing click here.
Please note the following articles are intended for personal use and may not be reproduced without the expressed permission of the IFA.
Aromatherapy and Acne
(Acne and Rosacea Awareness Month September)
Aromatherapy and Allergies
(Allergy Awareness Week 13 - 19 May)
Aromatherapy and Alzheimers/Dementia
(Alzheimers Awareness Day 21 September, Alzheimers Awareness Month September)
(Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May, Fibromyalgia Awareness Month May)
Aromatherapy and General Wellbeing
(Aromatherapy Awareness Week 11 - 17 June and World Health Day 07 April)
Aromatherapy, HIV and Aids
(World Aids Day 01 December)
Aromatherapy and Hypertension
(Hypertension Awareness Day 17 May)
Aromatherapy and Insomnia
(Insomnia Awareness month March), Awareness day 12 March)
Aromatherapy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
(Irritable Bowel Syndrome month 01 - 30 April)
Aromatherapy and ME & CFS
(ME Awareness week 06 - 12 May)
Aromatherapy and Menopause
(Menopause Awareness Day 18 October, Menopause Awareness Month September)
Aromatherapy and Migraines
(Migraine Awareness Week 03 - 09 September)
Aromatherapy and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
(Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week 24 - 30 April)
Aromatherapy and Neuralgia
(No awareness day we're currently aware of)
Aromatherapy and Obesity
(Obesity Awareness week starts second monday each January)
Aromatherapy and Pain Management
(Back pain Awareness week second week of October)
Aromatherapy and Parkinsons
(Parkinsons Awareness Week 10 - 16 April)
Aromatherapy and Pharyngitis
(No awareness day we're currently aware of)
Aromatherapy and Psiorias
(Psiorias Awareness Day 29 October)
Aromatherapy and Raynauds
(Raynauds Awareness month February)
Aromatherapy and Sciatica
(Sciatica Awareness month September)
Aromatherapy and Stroke
(Stroke Awareness month 01 - 31 May)
Cant find what you are looking for here? We are currently compiling more information sheets on the use of aromatherapy for certain medical conditions and ailments and this page will be continually updated. If you are seeking information and are unable to find answers to your enquiry please contact your nearest professional aromatherapist from our practitioner listings.
Practitioner Downloads
Below you can download information to promote aromatherapy during the build up to the week, which we hope you will find useful.
Social Media
Social Media is a great promotional tool to communicate to your audience quickly and widely. We are on all the main social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn – please utilise our hashtag to promote the activities you are organising to mark the awareness week.
Please do contact us regarding any events you are organising during awareness week so that we may offer support or for any queries you may have. We also welcome write-ups and / or links as to how you have marked the week for inclusion on the IFA's blog and potentially Aromatherapy Times journal.
Resources
Below you can find merchandise when promoting aromatherapy during the week - even from the comfort of your own home (do tag us on facebook using it #IFAAromatherapyAwarenessWeek :) and also publications that feature information relating to essentials that boost the immune system, support the respiratory system as well as mental health.
