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Qualified
as a Medical
Herbalist (Cert
phyt) in 1986 after three and a half years of full time
training in the UK.
The
study included among others:
The medical sciences including tuition from doctors.
Botanical sciences.
Herbal materia medica, herb processing and pharmacology.
Clinical practise in 3 training clinics.
Also in 1986 qualified as a masseur.
For
years prior to formal training I had been deeply involved in growing,
processing and using a wide variety of herbs.
Post
qualification, specialised in aromatherapy and essential oils. The
trade in essential oils and their chemistry was learnt while working
for an essential oils importer and analyst. During that time, many
trade contacts were established, and a good inside knowledge of
the essential oils and aromatherapy trade.
Years
were devoted to investigating knowledge about plant medicines buried
in various reference libraries. Finding scientific literature on the
uses and safety issues
of essential oils was a major preoccupation. This has been used to
produce trade reference manuals and training materials - see the commercial
site for these publications: http://www.aromamedical.com
I was the
first in the aromatherapy trade to investigate in any depth the
great importance of skin reactions to essential oils and to publish
that information. Early aromatherapy authors treated the subject
superficially, or tended to concentrate on toxicity issues.
My
particular interest was in finding modern science that supports
ancient healing knowledge, or rejecting traditional knowledge when
this is proven inaccurate.
All
the above equipped me with an ability to judge the value or relevance
of information (sorting the wheat from the chaff). Something still
rare in aromatherapy education.
Advisor on essential
oils and aromatherapy to the Institute of Complementary Medicine
- UK. http://www.icnm.org.uk
Advisor on Education
to the International Aromatherapists and Tutors Association of Canada.
Taught
aromatherapy classes in the USA, Canada and Korea, as well as trained
visitors on private tuition courses.
Several
challenging articles of mine have been published in a number of
aromatherapy publications and on the Internet.
Compiled
referenced research data suitable for medical professionals.
Given
advice on treating leg ulcers, bed sores and infected cellulitis
to geriatric and general hospitals in Scotland.
Have
provided assistance and advice to some aromatherapy authors and
vetted training course materials.
Advised
companies on product development, and on legislation over the sale
of preparations containing botanical extracts.
Co-authored
the book
Frankincense and Myrrh with
Wanda Sellar.
Known
for not accepting the hype in the aromatherapy trade. Nor
for supporting most aromatherapy trade organisations. These organisations
are ultimately responsible for allowing a tremendous amount of poor
quality education on aromatherapy to continue. They also have provided
platforms for some very dishonest individuals and trading practices.
I am well known on the newsgroups for fighting the purveyors of
hype and misinformation. Detested by the many con artists in this
trade, and loved by a few caring therapists. That's good enough
for me.
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