The Biography of
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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: Also in 1986 qualified as a masseur. For many years prior to formal training I had been deeply involved in growing, processing and using a wide variety of herbs. Following herbal training, I 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 have been devoted to investigating knowledge about plant medicines buried in various reference libraries. Finding scientific literature on the uses and safety issues of essential oils has been a major preoccupation. This has been used to produce trade reference manuals and training materials. 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. Earlier aromatherapy authors treated the subject superficially, or tended to concentrate on toxicity issues. My particular interest is in finding modern science that supports ancient healing knowledge, or rejecting traditional knowledge when this is proven inaccurate. All this equipped me with an ability to judge the value or relevance of information (sorting the wheat from the chaff). Something rarely found in aromatherapy education. Advisor on essential oils and aromatherapy to the Institute of Complementary Medicine - UK. http://www.icmedicine.co.uk Advisor on Education to the International Aromatherapists and Tutors Association in Canada. In the past I 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. Gave advice on treating leg ulcers, bed sores and infected cellulitis to a hospital in Scotland. This included the use of various essential oils and techniques for treating these problems. Provided assistance and advice to a few aromatherapy authors and vetted training course materials. Advised companies on product development, and on issues of legislation regarding 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. I do not support 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. As both sides of my family tend to live into their mid 90s, I may have many more years of targeting the garbage peddlers in this trade yet. As I am now semi retired, this gives me more time for increasing these activities. •••••••• |
