The collection effort is being administered by Deborah Halvorson, one of Australasian College of Health Sciences’ adjunct instructors. Deborah is also Director of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, and a Registered Aromatherapist. Deborah lives in the affected area and has generously volunteered to coordinate the collection and dissemination of the donations to the teams.
Aromatherapy has many benefits in disaster areas. The United Aromatherapy Effort collects and disseminates donated aromatherapy products, in conjunction with chair massage, to those affected by disaster. It is for this reason that the United Aromatherapy Effort teamed up with the Emergency Response Massage International (ERMI) to provide assistance to those dedicated and heroic individuals. ERMI's mission is to provide a 15-minute stress relief chair massage to first responders and relief workers following a disaster or other critical incident. Historically they have responded to NY (2001), Florida Hurricanes (2004) and most recently the Gulf Coast affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and now are helping those in the Southern California area affected by the wildfires. For more information about The United Aromatherapy Effort, visit http://unitedaromatherapy.org/index.php3. For more information on the benefits of essentials oils visit http://www.achs.edu/aromatherapy/aromatherapy.aspx?id=1.
Purifying Blend includes the following essential oils:
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia - analgesic and antispasmodic
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis - analgesic
Fir Needle Abies canadensis - analgesic and expectorant
Peppermint Mentha piperita var. vulgaris - analgesic and antispasmodic
Tea Tree Australia Melaleuca alternifolia - expectorant
