Our four-pronged strategy to continue to validate our profession: -

Research 

The amount of research into the therapeutic benefits of essential oils has increased considerably both in the UK and Internationally. The IFA are the only clinical aromatherapy professional body and charity to fund essential oil research. In the past we have successfully conducted essential oil trials into endometriosis and rheumatoid arthritis for pain management and the alleviation of symptoms with positive results. More recently, prompted by the detrimental impact the pandemic has had on mental health, we are currently undertaking ground-breaking research into the therapeutic effects of traditionally distilled oils and CO2 extracted essential oils on stress. This pioneering study, funded by the IFA and conducted by Northumbria University, will pave the way for people to access and use essential oils to combat stress. One part of the study will also lead onto establishing whether CO2 oils have the same effect as traditionally distilled essential oils. We are proud to once more be at the forefront of scientific essential oil research which affects will impact the industry for many years to come.

Elevate Standards

The IFA has the highest standard of training in aromatherapy: our courses thorough and in-depth with all our schools closely monitored, and exams rigorously invigilated. The IFA represent the aromatherapy profession before decision-making bodies and we are a stakeholder in NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) as well as a core member of the IHC (Integrated Healthcare Collaborative). The IFA is actively involved with elevating academic standards, safeguarding the public perception of treatments and influencing policy in the CAM field for the benefit of the industry as a whole. We have worked with various government-led healthcare committees to improve the practice of aromatherapy worldwide, significantly the Aromatherapy Council - UK, AEAJ – Japan, National High-tech Health Industry Aromatic Healthcare Professional Committee - China. 

This, together with expanding our portfolio of courses which are designed to give access to all physical health challenges and social groups – e.g. our Aromacare programme being used in palliative care and special needs groups.

Disseminate Information

The IFA was established primarily to protect the public. We provide current, scientific and empirical information, professional support and training to practitioners and non-practitioners to allow service users to make informed decisions. We raise awareness amongst the press and public through our magazine, (which is registered with the British Library), national Aromatherapy Awareness week, press releases, specialist therapists, guest speakers, interviews and by promoting clinical research trials to validate our work.
 

In Working Practice: Support those in need

• We integrate our Aromacare programme into hospices, care homes and special needs schools and train care-leads to improve the provision and quality of care available.
   
• We place volunteers into various hospitals with our therapists currently working in oncology departments, as midwives, in ICU units, maternity wards, special care units and with autism groups.
   
• We work with condition specific charities where evidenced research demonstrates aromatherapy’s effectiveness as a clinical intervention. We provide our volunteer therapists with the necessary equipment and resources to support those in need. These volunteers work after diagnosis by GPs/ consultants in hospices, hospitals, during clinical interventions or where no mainstream treatment is offered.
   
• We fundraise and respond to disaster and crisis situations and support our volunteer therapists to be of assistance e.g natural disasters such as COVID, Tsunami and crisis’s such as 9/11, Crisis -  a Homeless charity, domestic violence, Qiu Zhi Primary Orphanage when there funding run out.

Aromatherapy is available in the following hospitals, many of which IFA members volunteer at: