Will you get a prescription? Have to go for more tests? What’s next?
Suggestions or Recommendations
Aromatherapists do not write prescriptions, for drugs, oils, or herbs. They will give suggestions or recommendations. Just as when you go to the doctor, you have the right and the responsibility to decide whether you will follow those suggestions, and do so safely.
Since you took the steps to find and go see an aromatherapist, it is assumed that you will follow those recommendations, but you should make a note if you choose to change the procedure or stop using the oils on your own. This will be helpful as your aromatherapist works to support your wellness goals.
Keep a Symptom Journal
It can sometimes be difficult to tell whether essential oils are helping, due to their usually-gentle nature and they ways in which they work to support your body. Keep a journal where you note the severity of any complaints addressed during your appointment. This helps both you and your aromatherapist see what works best, and what might need to be changed.
Tell Your Doctor
If you are on maintenance medication, or have a condition which requires you to be under the care of a medical professional, let them know you’re using essential oils.
It is highly unlikely that your doctor has any knowledge of essential oils and their function. Expecting that they will be supportive of your choice may be asking a bit much. It is difficult for a professional in any field to endorse something they don’t understand, especially when that “something” can interfere with their work. This is no exception. It is also fair to say that your aromatherapist is highly unlikely to have broad knowledge of prescription drugs, and how each of them functions. They are complementary fields, and yet rarely join together.
This is OK! Your wellness is your responsibility, right? If you are comfortable that interactions have been checked and your needs have been taken into consideration, then you continue with your wellness path! No one has to approve. You get to consider the advice from all of the counsel you seek.
So why tell your doctor if you don’t think they’ll approve? So they know. Some essential oils can thin the blood, lower blood sugar readings, or lower blood pressure. If you need to have emergency surgery or other urgent procedure, you won’t necessarily have time to check in with your aromatherapist. If your doctor knows that you use essential oils, and which ones, they are more able to quickly check for possible issues. Just be honest, and stay steadfast in advocating for your own wellness.
Follow Up
In the event you feel great success using your essential oils, let your aromatherapist know! They will be able to keep your blend on hand, so that you won’t have to wait when you run out.
In the event you do not see the results your aromatherapist hoped, let them know that, too! Just like anything else, no one remedy works for every person every time. If that were the case, illness would be a thing of the past. Sometimes, it takes a few visits to find just the right blend or balance. Unless it has been many visits with zero improvement, it is unlikely that you were “given the wrong thing.” Think of it like going to the doctor for a headache. The doctor is likely to give you hydration and aspirin first. This is the right and proper first line treatment for a headache. If aspirin doesn’t work, the doctor may try different drugs, or order testing, but they weren’t wrong to have given the aspirin. An aromatherapist may begin with the common, most obvious choice, then move to more rare or less obvious oils if those are ineffective.
Drink Water
OK, this really isn’t all that important to aromatherapy, although it is important to be well hydrated so that you body can most effectively use and then dispose of the oils. I just really wanted to take this time to remind you that you probably need to drink more water. #hydrate
Ask Away
Don’t hesitate to ask your aromatherapist any questions you have when you follow up. Or, drop them in the Wild Wellness Discussion Group!
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