Who Is Our Competition In The Aromatherapy Community

Who Is Our Competition In The Aromatherapy Community

Much has changed, yet everything remains the same in the aromatherapy community. Despite what I see and hear, I remain true to me, and more importantly to all of you….as helping others is my life calling. I spend plenty of time in self-reflection to be able to remain solidly on my path.

Looking at your colleagues as your competitors limits your success on your own business/path. This limits your happiness and can make you question…well…everything I imagine. Seeing yourself, or your old self as your measure for growth, is the true catalyst for change and an opportunity for motivation and growth.

 

 

Here are a few reasons why you should be your only competition.

 

  1. It will get you out of the pattern of comparing, judging, and feeling inferior to others.

 

If you are repeating a pattern of thinking, watching others excel, or even hearing someone speaking out with a view differing from yours, it can cause anxiety, frustration, and anger. Who wants to feel that? What truly matters at the end of the day is are you doing the best for you! Are you getting your voice heard? Are you confident in yourself? Are you helping others? That is all that matters.

 

  1. It will keep you focused on your goals and what you want to achieve.

 

When you take your eyes off your goal because you are looking at what others are saying or doing, you lose sight of why you are doing it all in the first place! When I focus on my goals I am reaffirmed positively over and over again. The people I help on a daily basis are all the affirmation I need. Not due to their feedback necessarily, but how it makes me feel. They lift me up, they give me renewed purpose and show me that I am EXACTLY where I should be. And that feels pretty awesome.

 

  1. Your business will get the attention it deserves.

 

Your colleagues can be a great source of inspiration, but do not let it move to comparing to the point of no longer paying attention to what you are doing for you. Or lose sight of why you are doing it. Stay focused on what you want to accomplish in life, and strive to do better than the goals you have set for yourself.

 

 

I have on occasion witnessed aromatherapists being called out for scaremongering and making it sound like essential oils are incredibly dangerous. I despise the term scare-mongering, but I do see such turmoil amongst professionals and mlm reps alike, that I am forced to question where we have lost our way. We ALL know that essential oils are amazing and that they work. And we ALL know that many share how to use them in an unsafe manner…..BUT, is it our responsibility to be the hero or the shero of every situation we see? It is our responsibility to speak out our truth to those who are ready and willing to listen. This is how real change begins to happen. This is where we find respect for one another again. This is where we realize we can disagree, and still be kind to one another.

To those of you that I have had the pleasure to meet in person, to those that reach out to me on scheduled phone calls, private messages, via email, or in my group… to all of my friends that take time from their life experience to share their thoughts with me, I honor you. You have shown me that there needs to be no competition among colleagues, among friends. We all come from a place of humble service. There is well and truly room for EACH AND EVERY one of us here.

Sending love to you all today and always, go be successful and inspire!

Be your own best competition. Sending love and blessings.

All of my essential oil videos in one place you say? Yes!

All of my essential oil videos in one place you say? Yes!

I decided to place my current essential oil videos here in one neatly packaged blog for you! If you have any questions for requests for future ones, feel free to shout!

This is my most recent video, regarding putting essential oils on ticks to get them to release their hold on you. The short version is DON’T DO IT. Click below for the longer version…

Next up is the use of anti-germ blends. You can use them safely and effectively…but it is not like you think! Watch to learn more!

 

What aromatherapy is…and what it’s not. Whaaaaa? Watch below to see what I mean!

 

This one is a biggie……essential oils in the bath..what is the proper way????

Lastly (for now)…when it comes to essential oil safety, at times people can try to barrel roll over you to get their point across….that does not help anyone..because no one can hear you when you are mean!

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Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet.  You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.

Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions. 

Why I Refrain From Sharing Therapeutic Essential Oil Blends

Why I Refrain From Sharing Therapeutic Essential Oil Blends

Why I Refrain From Sharing Therapeutic Essential Oil Blends. I bet that title got your attention. There are a couple reasons why I do not list therapeutic essential oil blends/formulations in a blog. You could do a simple Google search such as “essential oils for allergies” and you will find many posts, memes, pins, etc, on how to “treat” your allergies. The issue here is multifaceted, the first being that many of the recommendations would not be effective. Another is the method of use (recommending oil in a capsule) is not the most effective or safe for allergies. Lastly, more often times than not basic safety is not covered when these blends are shared, possible contraindications listed or even safe diluting advice given.

Why I Refrain From Sharing Therapeutic Essential Oil Blends

 

So you may be thinking, if I know all of this information, why am I avoiding sharing therapeutic essential oil blends for the general public? Up to this point, I have taken the path of education, talking about proper use, scientific facts, and touching a little bit on chemistry.

 

The main reason that I do not share therapeutic essential oil blends/formulations online is the fact that everyone is different. Sure, essential oils have basic therapeutic properties that cross the board for most everyone. BUT if my neighbor, you, or I had bronchitis and needed some help with a few days of suppositories, it is more than likely that we will all have a different formulation based on medical conditions, medications, age, weight, and basic constitution. The same would apply if I made an allergy inhaler, blend for a nebulizer, or steam tent. This would likely require three different blends based on many of these things with the addition of likes and dislikes where aromatics are concerned.

 

What Is A Contraindication?

 

Many essential oils come with what are called contraindications. These are specific instances when an oil should not be used because it might be harmful, for example, anyone with a history of seizures, asthma, blood clotting disorders, taking certain medications or are pregnant or nursing to name a few. There are certain oils not recommended for children for various reasons. Some oils increase the risk of skin irritation when applied topically (more so for those with sensitive skin), while other oils are phototoxic.

 

This slowly begins to paint a picture as to why sharing essential oil therapeutic blends can be an issue.

 

When Things Backfire

 

As an aromatherapy educator and someone who is present in social media, I have seen more essential oil “accidents” then I care to think about.

 

-A woman contacted me with chemical burns on her mouth and chin from the application of diluted cinnamon and clove to a cold sore. The burns lasted a couple weeks and were extremely painful and slow healing with continual cracking of the skin.

 

-I have had a panicked mom in the ER contact me as her daughter was covered in hives and patchy red sores/blisters from a one-time application of a blend to her chest for a cough.

 

-I have had a mom contact me panicked that her child was listless after a nap where a recommended blend from Pinterest was recommended for peaceful sleep.

 

There are many others, but I listed these three as they were the ones that were really upsetting to the individuals affected. Luckily, all three cases recovered nicely and are ok today.

 

Do I Give Advice?

 

Am I willing to give advice to others on social media or over the phone? I am willing, at times, to do so privately if I feel the situation warrants it, although I tend to stick to the facts surrounding safety in all things. Before I do this I ask proper questions such as: Do you have any medical condition I need to be aware of? Are you taking any medications? What is your overall health like? Do you have sensitivities? Do you have allergies? Depending on the possible recommendation I ask: Do you have any small children in the home? Do you own pets?

 

I also run a very large Facebook group, where I get questions daily. I answer those to the best of my ability, but always state to do additional research, as that is really important.

 

There is much to be considered.

 

Aromatherapists Responsibility

 

As a trained aromatherapist, I took an oath of “do no harm”. First and foremost, my thoughts are on keeping you safe. If you follow my FB page, you may have made note of something special that I add to posts when I share something that is written by others that contain a recommendation within, whether it is for an herb or sometimes, rarely an oil or oil blend. It reads something like this:

 

**Make note, as I do not know your medical history please do your own research before following the recommendations within.

 

At the very least, this is appropriate.

 

It is also the responsibility of the professional aromatherapist to understand that we are not to treat medical conditions. “Diagnose, prescribe, or treat” are things we should not and do not do. What we should do is look at the whole body, the whole person. We work to restore homeostasis by addressing the whole body, in all it fabulous layers and complexities.

 

This quote addresses this aspect quite nicely:

“To reach the individual we need an individual remedy. Each of us is a unique message. It is only the unique remedy that will suffice”.- Madame Marguerite Maury

 

Madame Marguerite Maury (1895-1968) was an Austrian born biochemist who became interested in what was to become aromatherapy. Look again at the years of her life…have we veered too far from her quote and lost the true art of aromatherapy? She was a very wise woman indeed.

 

What Can Be Done

 

Let’s take a brief look at what I consider to be beginner’s blends. These are very basic blends that do not carry with them cautions or contraindications. Essential oils that when used are safe for everyone. I do share these at times. These do not address specific ailments. As a professional, if I can assist in helping to get essential oil enthusiasts feet wet using the oils in a safe manner, I have done a great service to our community as a whole. Everyone starts at the beginning. This is very different than a more complex blend that is specific to the individual. Two different uses, if you will. These very basic beginner’s blends may not affect everyone in the same way but do help to see which oils complement each other, as well as the basic use of the oil. The more therapeutic use of essential oils needs to be recommended after a one on one consultation with an experienced aromatherapist.

 

Take A Step Back

 

There are plenty of responsible aromatherapists with years and years of experience out there that have written blogs, books, and more that do list recipes/formulations for potential ailments. I own and recommend many of these books to my readers/clients. Every professional in the field works from their own level of education and experience, no two of us are alike, and I see this as a beautiful thing. I have a deep respect for everyone and their views, this is what makes us unique.

 

I have a large following of friends, family, and acquaintances that reach out to me to make sure what they are doing is appropriate. There are, however, much more out there who are not utilizing proper information, as there is so much of it out there it can be difficult to determine what is factual and what is misguided opinion.

 

What You Should Look For

 

The best that you can do as a home user is to do your own research. If you are reading blogs they should have plenty of resources and references for you to dig deeper. If you come across an article giving recommendations with no references to speak of, I would keep looking.

 

Other Things To Consider

 

Is the publication recent?

 

Is the author respected “in the field”? In the field is an important piece as many health guru’s have moved over to the essential oil industry without the proper education to back them or their recommendations up.

 

This is my take on sharing them more therapeutic essential oil recipes/formulations, and why up until now have decided not to do so.

 

To your health! <3

 

 

Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet.  You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.

 

Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.

 

Essential Oils-Uncovering Fact From Fiction

 

Why Is It That Essential Oils Don’t Always Work

 

 

**NEW** Podcast #2-Essential Oil Chemistry- Functional Groups

Welcome to my first official podcast covering the basics of essential oil chemistry and the functional groups…..or plainly stated “Functional Group Chemistry“.  This podcast is intended as a stepping stone to the bigger picture of essential oil chemistry, but is a great stepping point.

The information in this podcast is based off of the book “The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils by E. Joy Bowles and the teaching or Mark Webb B.Sc out of Australia. Look for future podcasts/trainings in the area of chemistry.

 

Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.

Leslie Bio

**BRAND NEW** Lifeholistically Podcast Network

I am SUPER EXCITED to announce my new podcast, “Lifeholistically Podcast Network”. I will be offering you FREE weekly content covering ALL topics surrounding natural health. Aromatherapy, herbs, homeopathy, food, mind-body balance, meditation, yoga, and much more!

This first podcast is short and sweet, I just wanted to share a little bit about myself for those that do not already know me. I hope you tune in below and listen, and come back when new content is published.

 

 

Before you go, take a look around my website. I have a lot of free content, a brand new training program for aromatherapists, and safety items under the top menu bar above.

My new book is about to be published as well, entitled “Essential oils safe use for the home”. It is an exciting, busy time in my world!

Tune in next week!

Aromatic blessings,

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Leslie Bio