85% of complementary, traditional and natural healthcare therapists do not use plastic-based products in their practice, according to a sustainability survey carried out by the Integrated Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) of which the IFA is a core member.

This September, IFA has become a core member of the Integrated Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) to work collaboratively with other CAM disciplines to collectively further the interests of our registrants. The Collaborative was formed in April of 2020 and currently has approximately 29 professional bodies represented.

Despite a year filled with huge challenges for our field, due to Covid 19, the last 12 months has been a springboard for the IFA to reinforce the importance of aromatherapy and how our therapists are a key part of the healthcare work force, read on about our activities.

On 26th March 2018 at the Heung Yee Kuk Building, Shatin, Hong Kong, IFA members came together for a historic event to set the new world record by giving 30 minute hand massages simultaneously to 297 elderly people beating the previous world record of 250.

More research is imperative to add to the validity of our profession. It helps to emphasise the importance of an integrative approach to medicine that combines conventional and complementary approaches for addressing some of the critical health issues that we face today.