Mandarin Yellow and Avocado - our favorite oils for December

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of December are Mandarin Yellow and Avocado. Here are the profiles of these wonderful plants:

Q&A with our Certificate Course Students Madeleine, Fei and Karen

Congratulations to all our Certificate Course Students who will complete our course next week! They will be perfectly qualified to use 20 essential oils safely and effectively to care for their families and friends.

In their last class we asked them to give us an insight into the course, what they enjoyed learning most and how they are going to apply their aromatherapy knowledge:

On APA's bookshelf: Essential Oils - A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice by Jennifer Peace Rhind

This month’s book recommendation is Jennifer Peace Rhind’s “Essential Oils – A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice” 2nd edition. With praises from aromatherapy experts Gabriel Mojay, Robert Tisserand and Rhiannon Harris, this book gives students and practitioners full information on the use of essential oils in the field of contemporary aromatherapy.

Q&A with Wynnie Ng, APA's Massage Tutor & Vibrational Medicine Teacher

Today we sat down with Wynnie Ng who is one of our massage tutors in the Holistic Diploma Course and soon will extend her teaching to the Journey of Discovery, Vibrational Medicine and Mind Body classes of the subject Holistic View.

Wynnie is a qualified holistic aromatherapist and massage therapist, a graduate of Asia-Pacific Aromatherapy (APA). She is a certified ISBT Bowen Therapist and Body Talk Access practitioner, and trained in Tui-Na Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Indian Head Massage.

We asked her how she combines these different therapies in her work, what students can expect to learn in Vibrational Medicine and her best tips for future aromatherapists:

Top essential oils for autumn

Image Credit

What’s your favorite essential oil for autumn? Any recommendations of must-haves? In this week’s Aromatherapy Q & A our students, graduates and tutors share their top oils for this season: 

Fragonia and Camellia - our favorite oils for November

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of November are Fragonia and Camellia. Here are the profiles of these wonderful plants:

On APA's bookshelf: Aromatherapy with Chinese Medicine by Dennis Willmont

One of many fascinating subjects our students encounter in the Diploma Course for Holistic Aromatherapy is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A good study companion is the following book written by Dennis Willmont.

Aromatherapy with Chinese Medicine explores the world of Aromatherapy from the Chinese herbal and acupuncture perspective. This point of view lends great insight into understanding how to create natural healing with essential oils on the levels of the Body, Mind, and Spirit.

A comparative study on the composition of forty four hydrosols and their essential oils

To date, hydrosols are mainly used as cosmetic agents. Only recently hydrosols attract more attention in the aromatherapy research field.

A research conducted in 2008 by S. Inouye, S. Abe and M. Takahashi from the Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology in Japan focused on the composition of forty four hydrosols and their essential oils. A comparison of the composition was made based on gas chromatographic analysis using solvent extraction.

Q&A with Florence Fong, APA's Diploma Course Graduate and Aromatherapist at "Haven of Hope Memory Care Center"

Today we sat down with our Diploma Course Graduate Florence Fong who was recently interviewed by a local radio station for her great work at the "Haven of Hope Memory Care Center".

We talked about her decision to get formal training in aromatherapy, her online shop for natural products and how she helped her client at the Haven of Hope Memory Center to feel more relaxed after only a couple of treatments:

Puzhen's Sha Aroma Diffuser: A beautiful piece of art made of rare purple clay

Did you know that Puzhen’s Sha aroma diffuser is made of rare purple clay?

It is a very special kind of clay known for centuries in Chinese as the famous "zi sha". It is exclusively produced in China’s pastoral region of Jiangnan.

Q&A with Dr. Wendy Maddocks-Jennings: 100% botanical skin care products and hydrosols from her NZ home (Part 2)

Read the second part of our interview with Dr. Wendy Maddocks-Jennings talking about her extensive research work and her plans to visit us in Hong Kong soon for another great workshop:

(Click here for the first part of our interview)

4) You've been involved in complementary health care since 1983 and have done extensive research work including your study of the effects of essential oils on radiation induced mucositis. Can you share some insights with us?

Essential Oil Safety Second Edition: A special book preview from Robert Tisserand

In just a few weeks the wait is over and we can finally read the first pages of Robert Tisserand's much anticipated book "Essential Oil Safety - Second Edition". 

According to the preview on his website, "this new, thoroughly updated edition has been extended with new coverage and elaborated with greater detail and references to provide in depth, research-based coverage of both consequential new findings and newly tested past findings."

The book will be available in mid October but Robert Tisserand was kind enough to give us some insight into his work prior to its official release:

Sweet Orange and Calendula - our favorite oils for September

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of September are Sweet Orange and Calendula. Here are the profiles of these wonderful plants:

Q&A with Marie Fromaget Lardy, current student of APA's Diploma Course

Today we sat down with Diploma Course Student Marie Fromaget Lardy to talk about her experience with our school, why she decided to study aromatherapy and what important lesson our “communication awareness” class has taught her.

Marie has already completed all "in-class" hours and is about to complete her case studies in order to become a qualified aromatherapist:

Sole Connection: The Art of Reflexology and Foot Reading with Monika Dobler

We are very excited to have expert reflexologist Monika Dobler back at APA in October/November for some very informative workshops and wonderful treatments!

Monika was running her own practice in Switzerland and is now living in London. Her passion and heart lies "within the feet" and she lets herself be guided by her hands and intuition to find insight into a person’s wellbeing. She has been with Asia-Pacific Aromatherapy teaching reflexology under the topic of Holistic Views for over 10 years, sharing her precious knowledge in this aspect to our students.

In our Aromatherapy Q&A, Monika told us about her journey into the art of reflexology and foot reading, how our feet can help us to understand ourselves better and why she is passionate about Qi Gong:

Three favorite aromatherapy books to add to your reading list

What’s your favorite aromatherapy book at the moment? Any recommendations of must-reads? In this week’s Aromatherapy Q & A you’ll find 3 books that you should add to your reading list:

Peppermint and Evening Primrose - our favorite oils for August

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of August are Peppermint and Evening Primrose. Here are the profiles of these wonderful plants:

Q&A with Dr. Wendy Maddocks-Jennings: 100% botanical skin care products and hydrosols from her NZ home (Part 1)

Every aromatherapist's dream is to own a piece of land to grow some plants for distillation. Imagine your very own backyard where you could harvest Melissa, Rose or Manuka and produce your personal essential oil and hydrosol, even if it's just in small quantities!

Dr. Wendy Maddocks-Jennings, a registered nurse and expert aromatherapist who has been involved in many aspects of aromatherapy and health care since 1983, fulfilled this dream last year when she purchased a small piece of land close to her New Zealand home.

Sound-Smell Association: A case study on how aromatherapy can help an elderly with physical and psychological constraints

The following case study was conducted by one of APA's students for her final Diploma Course exam. She kindly allowed us to share her successful treatment process with us which highlights the importance of observation beyond the treatment room to help the client heal:

Powerful Healing and Cleansing with White Sage

White Sage is a powerful herb. For thousands of years and used by cultures all over the world, Salvia - which comes from the Latin word salveo meaning "to heal" - is known for its healing and invigorating properties. 

It can be a potent medicinal remedy for a great number of common ailments including lung, throat and sinus infections, digestive problems or for easing heavy and painful menstruations. 

But the most important value of White Sage lies in its ability to purify and cleanse people, places, animals and material objects from negative energies or spirits.

Q&A with Stephanie Vuilliomenet, one of APA's most committed Diploma Course graduates

Today we had a very interesting chat with APA Diploma Course Graduate Stephanie who may be one of our school’s most committed students.

Every alternate weekend for 18 months, she would travel all the way from Shanghai - where she lives with her husband – to attend our classes!

Stephanie told us about the difficulties she faced during this time, why she left her “secure” corporate job for her own aromatherapy studio and how to not let any excuses stop you from pursuing your passion:

On APA's bookshelf: Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Hong Kong Book Fair has opened its doors yesterday presenting thousands of interesting publications and books, many of them health related. It's definitely worth a visit!

Meanwhile in our own APA library, you can find great new reads such as internationally acknowledged aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood's publication "Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child" - a comprehensive guide featuring more than 300 natural, non-toxic and fragrant essential oil blends for our little ones.

Geranium and Neem - our favorite oils for July

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of July are Geranium and Neem. Here are the profiles of these wonderful plants:

Treatment Highlight: CranioSacral Therapy Benefits

Are you looking for a gentle, hands-on method to help you relieve chronic pain, stress or tension-related disorders?

CranioSacral Therapy, a soft-touch bodywork technique that was developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger in the 1970s, works through using the body’s own self-correcting mechanisms rather than the application of physical force from the therapist.

Q&A with Ling Yee, APA Diploma Course Graduate and owner of "Ling Yee's Aromatherapy"

Today we sat down with our Diploma Course Graduate Ling Yee Liu who is a well-known and very knowledgeable aromatherapist in Hong Kong. With her own business "Ling Yee's Aromatherapy", she not only offers a beauty & therapeutic product range for babies, children and adults, but also provides consultations, workshops and signature blends for companies.

Besides being an Internationally Certified Aromatherapist and Infant Massage Instructor, Ling Yee also has a background in Psychology and Buddhist Studies.

On APA's bookshelf: Clinical Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Childbirth by Denise Tiran

What's new in our APA library? The newly arrived book "Clinical Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Childbirth" is a comprehensive and research-based exploration of the safe, effective and appropriate administration of essential oils in pregnancy, labour and the puerperium.

Stretching the boundaries: How to massage pregnant clients safely & effectively

Massage has great potential benefits for an expectant mother and her growing baby. But therapists need to be equipped with the appropriate skills and knowledge in order to massage pregnant clients safely, respectfully and effectively.

Q&A with Wylie Ng, current student of APA's Diploma Course

After talking with so many graduates of our Asia-Pacific Aromatherapy school lately, we thought it's time to interview one of our current students again. Wylie Ng has already completed all "in-class" hours as well as the required case studies of the diploma course and after submitting her last project she will soon be a qualified aromatherapist.

Wylie kindly shares her experience with our school, why she decided to take our diploma course and how her case studies have built up her confidence of being an aromatherapist:

Caraway Seed and Pomegranate - our favorite oils of June

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of June are Caraway Seed and Pomegranate. Here are the profiles of these wonderful plants:

Aromatherapy Q & A

In this week's "Aromatherapy Q&A" we were curious to know how our therapists mentally prepare before treating their clients. So we asked Wynnie Ng, Cherry Lo and Roy Chan to share their preparation methods with us:

"How do you mentally prepare for your massage treatment?"

On APA’s bookshelf: Understanding Hydrolats by Len and Shirley Price

Today we take a closer look at one of our newly arrived books in our library. “Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy” is an exhaustive guide for aromatherapy students & graduates as well as health professionals who are interested to learn more about the art of distilled waters and their uses.

IFPA visits our school and shares current trends in the Professional Aromatherapy Training

Earlier this week our school had a prominent visitor from the UK. Vivienne Hinks, registered Holistic Aromatherapist and IFPA Principal Lecturer as well as current Chair of Accreditation, stopped by on her school visit tour across Asia. 

APA has been an early member of IFPA (The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists) and was the first accredited school in Hong Kong offering its courses according to IFPA's criteria. Ever since 1999, graduates of the APA Academy have been able to apply for IFPA membership directly with their diploma qualification.

The IFPA is the largest professional aromatherapy practitioners' organisation in the world, and is a strong, respected voice in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). 

Guest article by renowned Animal Aromatherapist Nayana Morag: Fennel for emotional confusion

Welcome to our new monthly blog series featuring guest articles by internationally renowned aromatherapists who are going to share a glimpse of their expansive knowledge with our Asia-Pacific Aromatherapy students!

Nayana Morag, expert in Animal Aromatherapy with a focus on horses and dogs as well as author of the successful book "Essential Oils for Animals", starts off our series with a very touching case study about a woman and her beloved dog that was diagnosed with cancerous mammary tumor.

Aromatherapy Q & A with Joie Yiu

Just before Joie Yiu will host our next Sharing Session on Aromatherapy and Alzheimer's Disease this afternoon, we had a chance to have a quick chat with her.

On APA's bookshelf: Aromatherapy vs. MRSA by Maggie Tisserand

MRSA is a global problem. Known as a "superbug", some fatal cases of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) have also been reported in Hong Kong in recent years. In fact, the Centre for Health Protection announced the death of a 35 year-old man only last March who tested positive for a community-associated MRSA infection. The man with a good past health was admitted to hospital for multiple joint pain and fever. He was taken to the intensive care unit but tragically died two days later.

MRSA is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and becomes increasingly difficult to treat due to its resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Many infections are not serious, however, some can be life-threatening especially when dealing with tough, resistant strains of MRSA.

Q&A with Ada Lui, APA Diploma Course Graduate and owner of "SisaHandmade"

Today we had a little chat with Ada Lui who is not only an early APA Diploma Course graduate, but also founder and owner of "SisaHandmade", a very popular online store for beautifully handcrafted soaps and aromatherapy products.

Ada told us about how and why she decided to study aromatherapy, her first experience with "Vetiver" and her philosophy behind her business:

Summer Savory and Borage - our favorite oils of May

Summer Savory / Borage

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of May are Summer Savory and Borage. Here are the profiles of these wonderful plants:

Treatment Highlight: Pain Relief with Bowen Therapy

If you suffer from chronic or acute pain with musculoskeletal or neurological origins, you might want to give the Bowen Therapy a try. This unique treatment was developed by the self-taught Australian "healer" Tom Bowen in the 1950's who treated thousands of patients in his clinic in Victoria each year.

Q&A with AromaQuotient founder and APA Graduate Cecilia

We recently had a chance to interview Cecilia Tang who was our very first speaker at our Sharing Session last year. Cecilia is not only an APA Diploma Course Graduate but also founder and owner of Hong Kong's online holistic aromatherapy store "AromaQuotient."

We talked about why she decided to study aromatherapy, the philosophy behind her thriving business and her tips to master APA's Diploma Course in Holistic Aromatherapy:

Essential Oil of the Month: Benchmark Thyme

Common Thyme

Known as a medicinal and culinary plant to all the early civilizations in the Mediterranean, our Essential Oil of the Month is highly bactericidal and an excellent remedy for treating all forms of infections: colds, sore throats, respiratory infections and infections of the urinary tract. It is also a digestive stimulant and intestinal antiseptic, valuable for gastric infections. It stimulates the production of white corpuscles, so strengthening the body’s resistance to invading organisms. Our Essential Oil of the Month is Benchmark Thyme.

Q&A with Anatomy & Physiology teacher Carolyn

Today we sat down with Carolyn Gomersall who is teaching the very important (but often dreaded) subject "Anatomy & Physiology" to our Diploma Course students.

Carolyn is a UK trained registered nurse specializing in neurology and neurosciences. She has worked as a Nurse Manager in London before coming to Hong Kong in 1993 where she completed her Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Health Studies from the University of Surrey. Carolyn has been with APA since last year and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with our students in an informal and fun way with plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

Product Highlight: Puzhen Five Senses Aroma Diffusers

Easter Holidays are just around the corner - a great opportunity to give your body & mind some well-deserved rest from hectic schedules and long working hours. Aromatherapy can significantly help us reduce stress, restore well-being and bring body, mind and spirit into balance. A simple yet highly effective way to enjoy the full benefits of essential oils in the comfort of your very own home are aroma diffusers.  The latest models available on the market are electrical devices that turn essential oils into a micro-fine spray of mist covering a large area and purifying the air for many hours without the use of any heat.

Aromatherapy Q & A

In this week's "Aromatherapy Q&A" we were curious to know what "aromatherapy" meant to our diploma course students. So we asked Shirley, Amy, Claire, Marie and Florence to describe it to us by only using one single word:

Essential Oil of the Month: Origanum vulgare

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In ancient Greece people named this plant "delight of the mountains" because it grows in higher altitudes in the Mediterranean and is widely known for its anti-bacterial properties: Origanum vulgare.

Relaunch of APA's popular Sharing Sessions

We are very happy and excited to announce the relaunch of our popular "Sharing Sessions"! Starting from next month students, tutors, graduates, friends of APA and all those interested in aromatherapy & holistic health are welcome to join our monthly get-together to discuss various health topics in a relaxed atmosphere including delicious homemade food and drinks.

Carrier Oil of the Month: Argan Oil

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This month's carrier oil has gained increased popularity in recent years and is known as a cosmetic oil particularly beneficial for hair and skin. In Africa, where it is from, the highly nutritious oil is widely used as a culinary oil for salads or dipping bread. Very rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, this nutty-flavored oil can contribute to the body's health in many ways: Argan Oil (Argania spinosa)

On APA’s bookshelf: Aromatherapy & Asthma Management

Eucalyptus globulus

According to a recent report of the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital 40% of Hong Kong children currently suffer from different kinds of allergies; 10% alone are asthmatics. In fact, international data shows that the number of asthma sufferers is five times higher in urban areas than in rural ones. This is due to the absence of natural ozone absorption by plants. Exposure to ozone, even at low levels, induces airway inflammation and lung damage. 

Read the following excerpt of the article “Aromatherapy and Asthma Management” from IFPA’s aromatherapy journal to learn how essential oils can help in the management of asthma:

Product Highlight: Healing Clay

Pedanius Dioscorides, master herbalist in ancient Greece, described clay as "God-like Intelligence" when referring to its vast healing properties. In fact, clay has been used externally as well as internally for thousands of years around the world not only by many different cultures, but also by animals. Probably one of its most prominent properties is the ability to draw out and neutralize toxins as well as cure major illnesses such as food poisoning, diarrhea, dysentery and wound infections.

Spend the Summer in Provence with Rhiannon Harris

How does a dream holiday of an aromatherapist look like? Wandering through endless fields of wild lavender maybe? Or visiting distilleries to experience essential oil production first-hand?

Every summer, world-renowned essential oil expert Rhiannon Harris invites qualified aromatherapists to the beautiful Provence in France to take part in an intense study program for furthering their knowledge and skills in advanced clinical aromatherapy applications.

Aromatherapy Q & A

In this week's "Aromatherapy Q&A" we were curious to know how our students take care of their holistic health by using aromatherapy essential oils. So we asked Jessie, Connie and Wylie to kindly reveal their secrets to wellbeing to our readers: