Aromatherapy Awareness Week - Essential Oils & Emotional Wellbeing 07th – 13th June 2021

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 13th 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. As we emerge from lockdown, there is increasing evidence that the many ramifications of the pandemic has had a negative impact on the Nation's mental health. To address this challenge, this year's Week is an opportunity to highlight how the unique therapeutic qualities of essential oils can bring balance to our mental well-being naturally, as well as being a key therapeutic intervention in healthcare. 

This 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 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 of the benefits of essential oils, still requires greater recognition. 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.

Please note - anyone promoting our Aromatherapy Awareness Week must include that this initiative was created by the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA).