There is a fabulous, highly professional, brand new aromatherapy trade journal on the market!
I’m excited to announce it’s arrival for two reasons: It signals growth in our industry and one of my case studies was featured in the premier issue! Am I proud? You bet!
What is the IJPHA?
The International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy (IJPHA) is a peer-reviewed professional journal dedicated to providing the professional holistic practitioner with useful information and resources to enhance their practice and expand their “toolbox”.
An Interview with IJPHA Editor, Lora Cantele
I recently spoke with Lora Cantele, the editor of The IJPHA to get a sense of what we can expect from this new journal and how she came to creating it.
I’m interested in some background on the impetus for the journal’s creation. This was quite an undertaking. What motivated you take on this new project?
Lora: While serving on the board of the Alliance of International Aromatherapists I was highly involved in many different areas of the organization which allowed me to meet many wonderful and passionate people in our industry. I also had the good fortune to travel to conferences abroad and work with some great educators overseas. Much of my work at the AIA was centered around education and planning the conferences and was very member/practitioner-focused. In my opinion I find the aromatherapy industry is somewhat compartmentalized. There are a lot of practitioners out there doing great work, but many don’t believe what they are doing is worthy of sharing. We tend to rely on the books we all have in common to support or choices in our work instead of adding to the body of existing knowledge. I have always been a networker and I wanted to bring practitioners from around the world together to share their knowledge and expertise.
I decided to throw the question out to my colleagues regarding their thoughts on a new aromatherapy journal. The question was met with overwhelming response! The responses ranged from what practitioners wanted in a journal to many wanting to write for it. I even had people writing to subscribe to a journal that hadn’t even been formed yet. I found I had a lot of support for this endeavor. That was what put me over and turned the idea into a reality.
Who are your subscribers?
My subscribers are professional holistic aromatherapy practitioners from all over the world. 25% of the subscribers are outside the US.
Some journals have a specific theme. Will that be the case with the IJPHA? What are some of the topics readers can expect in the future?
I wouldn’t say that each issue has a specific theme, but each issue does have a common thread throughout. Each issue seems to evolve as it is being produced. If you look at the first issue (Summer 2012), it discusses conditions that practitioners see more of in the summer and recipes that are more pertinent to summer conditions; warts, rosacea, allergies, and sunburn. The essential oils used for many of these conditions have a chemical component in common-geraniol. So we highlighted geraniol and a couple of essential oils rich in geraniol. There are the essential oils that we learn about in school and then the ones that we discover on our own. My aim is to highlight an essential oil that perhaps is less known but very effective in each issue. In this issue we covered Palmarosa and Geranium. I encourage practitioners to share their case studies. The #1 request of the practitioners surveyed was the opportunity to read the case studies of their colleagues. My aim is to have a case study or two in each issue that utilizes the essential oils and conditions highlighted in that issue. I think it is important to establish connection between the topics to help the reader solidify what they are learning and hopefully retain that information. You can read about several chemical components in a chapter in a book, but honestly unless you are cramming for a test, how much do you remember? By highlighting a chemical component, discussing a couple of essential oils containing that chemical component, and sharing articles and case studies that employ those essential oils, my hope is that the reader will gain a better understanding of the essential oils they use and the conditions they can help.
As aromatherapy students we learn not about more than the botany, chemistry and history of the oils. We learn about holism, integrative practices, herbs, nutrition, flower essences, business, and the importance of exercise and relaxation too. The other aim of the journal is to support practitioners with information about integrative practices, complementary therapies, business tips, regulatory information, other techniques and materials that support the holistic practitioner of aromatherapy. There’s a little bit of fun too. Each issue will have some recipes for products and cooking.
How do you find authors for the articles in the Journal?
Based on our loose themes, I seek out those who are experts in a particular area. I am fortunate to have a great network. If someone I know cannot write, they usually have some recommendations for me. I have a blog for the IJPHA and a facebook page. I am also on several groups on LinkedIn that have practitioners from all over the world. I usually put out a call for papers on a specific topic through those avenues. I encourage students and practitioners to submit their case studies to add to the growing body of knowledge. Everyone has something to offer!
What are your goals for the Journal?
My goal is to foster the education of the professional holistic aromatherapist. I like the format as established and I want to provide encouragement for people in the industry to write for the IJPHA. I really welcome comments and suggestions from our readers. I want the journal to be something people are excited to receive in their mailbox.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We didn’t have a peer-reviewed aromatherapy journal in print in America. So the IJPHA fills a need here in America. A lot of organizations have a journal, but you have to be a member and/or the journals are online. The IJPHA is available to all!
As a writer for the first issue, I encourage people to talk to Liz about her experience in writing for the journal. I this writing a professional paper for a peer-reviewed journal is a learning experience and builds self esteem. Everyone should do it at least once!
To Subscribe
The subscription rate is $75 for 4 issues annually. International subscriptions are $105. To subscribe, just send a check made out to “Enhancements Aromatherapy” and send it to 5435 Indian Summer Ct, Boulder, CO 80301 USA (preferred). Credit card customers can pay via PayPal to “enhancements@ameritech.net“. There is a “button” to the PayPal link, as well as a Media Kit with writing and advertising guidelines, on our website at www.enhancedgifts.com-click on the IJPHA page.
To keep up-to-date with the journal, call for papers and upcoming topics visit us online at www.facebook.com/IJPHA and “like” the IJPHA and/or visit the IJPHA at www.IJPHA.wordpress,com.
Liz & Lora-Very Nice! The process seems very thought out; planning articles around the published season, very useful for the reader. Helping the reader solidify information about chemical components contained in an essential oil(s) via articles and case studies is wonderful! Now that I know more details about this NEW Aromatherapy Journal, I will be purchasing a subscription! ~Natalie