Who would have thought that finding a reliable resource on aromatherapy could be so challenging? Unfortunately, false marketing claims about essential oils (EOs) leave me wary about trusting just about anyone who gives advice online. Too frequently, websites look official but turn out to be written by people who are not trained in the therapeutic use of essential oils—yet have a vested interest in selling them. The information can be misleading and harmful when not applied correctly.
That’s why I got excited when I met Amy Galper, Founder of the New York Institute of Aromatherapy, at the Feed, Nourish, Beautify event in 2014. We clicked instantly, and besides wanting to get to know her better, I wanted to share her wisdom with you as well. You might say that Amy’s nose knows—and it’s no wonder that her artisan line is called Buddha Nose.
Just to give you an idea, when brands want to create a signature fragrance or to swap their existing synthetic fragrances with natural scents, they turn to Amy. She’s a consultant for major companies, such as Yarok, Olie Biologique, Jenise Parris, Pursoma, LOLI, and others, plus has used her expertise in marketing to promote the uber-successful Green Festival Expos that take place in New York City.
These Q & A will give you a glimpse into the essential oils that Amy carries around with her everywhere, which brands she trusts (they’re not your typical ones!), and how EOs have helped her clients, students, colleagues, and herself overcome ailments from anxiety to bladder infections. I’m grateful to Amy for sharing her expertise with The Hub of Clean Living.
Q & A
Q
What are three ways that you incorporate essential oils into your life?
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Can you please share some results that you’ve seen from other people using the oils?
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Q
What are some benefits of EOs that you wish more people knew about?
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What were your goals in starting the NY Institute of Aromatherapy—to share those benefits with more people?
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Q
What can a person expect to get out of one of your DIY classes?
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Q
You offer certification classes too. What are some ways that a certified aromatherapist can use their training?
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You use very different EOs in your school and in your practice than the mass marketed brands. What made you choose those companies and what sets them apart from others?
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The EOs I work with I source directly from my teachers and mentors—people who have written books and educated and inspired thousands of people around the world about the healing power of Aromatic Plants. These teachers and mentors have been working with small distilleries and collective farms around the globe for decades—and I implicitly trust their sources.
Here are the three companies where the school gets their oils from: White Lotus Aromatics, Stillpoint Aromatics, Original Swiss Aromatics.
I find these companies are transparent and honest and full of integrity. They are not interested in marketing or sales—but education.
Q
You mentioned that you help brands reformulate their synthetic fragrances to essential oil blends. Are more people wanting to switch to natural now? What do you need to find out to help a company or person achieve their ideal scent?
A
Yes, I am often approached to help advise brands on what ingredients to use and what to avoid—especially concerning scent. More and more people are switching to natural as more facts are revealed about the toxicity of synthetics. When I work with someone, we usually sit down together for a few sessions and smell many different combinations of different EOs and try to hone in on their intentions for the blend they want to create.
WOW! Isn’t Amy a wealth of information? I could take notes all day and definitely need to jot down some of those recipes mentioned above! I hope that you have the opportunity to take advantage of her classes so that you too can expand your healing tool box.
I just love Amy! She is a wealth of information and her work is so exciting. And Buddha Nose is divine. These classes sound like such fun!
thanks for this Sarita! Wish I was in NYC would so go to these! Amy is amazing – I love Buddha Nose products so much ♥