Dill Herb and Evening Primrose - our favorite oils for March

Our favorite oils for the beautiful month of March are Dill Herb and Evening Primrose.

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.

Top essential oils for autumn

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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: 

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:

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:

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.

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:

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). 

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:

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.

Q&A with Diploma Course Graduate Yukari

Today we had a chance to interview Yukari who is not only our Diploma Course Graduate (EFT1209 / Year 2011) but also one of APA's competent tutors teaching the Introductory Class to Japanese students. We talked about why she decided to study aromatherapy, how she applies her knowledge as a certified aromatherapist and her tips to master our Diploma Course in Holistic Aromatherapy:

Essential Oil of the Month: Inula graveolens

Are you currently fighting off a bad cold & flu? This month’s Essential Oil is not widely used, but has powerful mucolytic, antispasmodic, expectorant and astringent properties: Inula graveolens.

 

Q&A with Aromatherapy Certificate Course Student Susanne

Today we have a little chat with Susanne, one of our first aromatherapy Certificate Course students who is currently enrolled in Level II and will soon be perfectly qualified to use around 20 essential oils safely and effectively. We talk about her experience with the class so far, her favorite essential oils and her tips for all those interested in taking this aromatherapy course:

Product Highlight of the Month: Cold Air Nebulizer for Essential Oils

It's this time of the year again when essential oils especially the ones with anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties help us through the cold & flu season. One of the most powerful diffusion methods to kill bacteria, fungus and other airborne micro-organisms is our product highlight of the month: the Cold Air Nebulizer.

APA live on RTHK Radio 3's Kwok Talk!

Exciting news! Our lovely Essential Oil Pharmacy teacher Shireen Calucin and Executive Director Caroline Fan will be on a live interview on RTHK Radio 3’s Kwok Talk today Monday at 1:15pm.

Private Christmas Lunch & Special DIY Christmas room spray

Last Friday we were excited to be invited by a major local bank to a private Christmas Lunch where we gave an introductory talk about aromatherapy to their valued executives and spouses. It turned out to be a beautiful day so we held our presentation outdoors on the estate’s lawn and enjoyed both the sunshine and the engaging conversations.