The healing power of aromatherapy

Her household was constantly plagued by illness, doctors’ visits, chronicantibiotics and medication. It felt like a never-ending battle and indesperation, Jolandie Koen prayed to God to enable her to help herfamily and break the cycle of ill health.“As crazy as this might sound, I was in the kitchen making coffee and avoice spoke and said ‘aromatherapy’. I was not sure whether my headwas playing games with me or what was going on, but that word stayedwith me,” she recalled. She started researching the topic, finding heapsof information on its health benefits. One essential oil brandcontinuously kept popping up - DoTERRA. She made contact with awoman in the United Kingdom, but being the sceptic she’s been all herlife, Koen still wasn’t sure whether she should trust it.But again, the voice clearly said ‘aromatherapy’, prompting her to takethe plunge and order her family’s own essential oil kit.“The lady in the United Kingdom was so helpful and sent me so muchinformation on how to use and when to use the essential oils. Sheadded me to her training groups and so we started using essential oilsin our home.”Three months passed until one evening it dawned on Koen and herfamily that days and weeks had gone by without them seeing a doctoror using antibiotics - and that they now barely used any medication, if atall.“I realised the voice was God leading me and answering my prayer. Hewas the voice that spoke to me.” Since the family started using essentialoils two years ago, they have not used antibiotics again, and have onlyvisited the doctor twice.Before God led her, she had absolutely no idea about aromatherapy,Koen admitted.“I honestly have not heard about it before. I knew about essential oilsthat people use in their homes to make it smell nice, but that was aboutit.”Helping people and their petsAs an avid animal lover, one of her first questions to her contact inEngland was: “What about my animals, will they be okay?” as she didnot want to cause them any health issues, since her family was alreadystruggling with their own. Koen was put in contact with an essential oilveterinarian in Texas in the United States to consult with regardinganimal aromatherapy - as she also uses DoTERRA essential oils foranimals.“I saw an opportunity and a door was once again opened for me byGod. If these essential oils can have such a huge health benefit for usas humans, just imagine how many pets can benefit from this!”Being a very curious person by nature, Koen realised this was what shewanted to do - to help people and their pets.“I always dreamt of doing something special and something differentand suddenly my dreams were realised.”Having worked for veterinary practices for quite a few years as anassistant and nurse, she took a leap of faith and channelled all herenergy into animal aromatherapy.Today, she is the only certified animal aromatherapy specialist inNamibia, living her dream of doing something special and unique for thecountry and all pet parents!“God answered my prayers and still blesses me abundantly. I didn'treally have to do much research as one thing just led to another anddoors would just open. I took every opportunity possible and learnt asmuch as God gave to me to learn.”Koen enrolled at the Cambridge College of Holistic Health in early 2023and obtained a certificate, making her an emotional aromatherapyadvisor for both humans and animals. She then enrolled with anessential oil veterinarian overseas where she completed her Level 1certification as an animal aromatherapy specialist. Currently, she isenrolled for the Level 2 certification. She also completed coursesoffered by DoTERRA as an aromatherapy specialist and businessbuilder.Koen explained that the main aim of aromatherapy is to teach peopleabout its holistic health benefits, and that it is safe to use should youwant to support your emotional or physical health in a natural manner.Therapeutic health supportAccording to Koen, when an animal receives alternative therapy, the petparent receives the same therapeutic health support, whetheremotionally or physically.She recalled a case of a 13-year-old dog with skin tags whose parentswere advised by a vet, due to the animal’s age and for medical reasons,not to have them surgically removed. Koen, on the other hand,recommended an essential oil for topical application, which was applieddaily. Eight days later, all the skin tags dried up and fell off with noscarring or regrowth during or after therapy.She said she also assisted another dog who was diagnosed with anautoimmune disease. With a diet change and essential oils usedinternally, he is now thriving.Then there was the parrot who was constantly screaming and hiding indark places, not letting anyone close to him. His diet was adjusted to bespecies appropriate, while his owner started diffusing calming oils. Aweek later, there is no more screaming and hiding, with the parrotfollowing the owner everywhere and letting himself be touched andcomforted.“These are some of the cases that will forever keep me humble andgrateful for the blessings received and the difference I was able to makein the lives of pet parents and their pets,” she said.When using essential oils in your home - regardless whether you haveanimals or not - safety comes first, Koen said.The oils must be certified pure therapeutic grade (CPTG) andregistered, and must contain a batch number and an expiry date.DoTERRA’s pure therapeutic essential oils are safe to use for bothhumans and animals. The oils should be diluted according to the pet’sneeds. “Different applications apply for essential oils and we make useof three ways: Aromatically, internally and topically, depending on thehealth status and sensitivity.”As an animal aromatherapist, Koen does food therapy along witharomatherapy. A basic toolkit will consist of oils to support the pet’simmune, respiratory and digestive system, oils for anti-inflammatory,analgesic, antioxidant, anti-fungal and antihistamine purposes, andalways a calming oil.With essential oils freely available on the market, she emphasised theimportance of making sure they are safe to use for therapeutic purposesand your animals.“Not all oils are pure essential oils and this can have a detrimentalimpact on both you and your pet’s health.”Not only a last resortShe admitted that animal aromatherapy is still a very foreign concept ofhealth support when it comes to animals, especially because it is such aunique method of alternative therapy and it is not something that hasbeen offered to pet parents in the past. Currently, Koen is - for manyclients - a last resort as their animals are just not responding the waythey would like them to respond to western medicine.“People are, however, open to change and willing to try alternativetherapy for their pet and also for themselves. As an animalaromatherapy specialist, I have been taught to provide complete healthsupport and not just symptomatically. I support the animal as a whole,taking in consideration their diet, emotional as well as physical well-being,” she said.She would love to be able to help more pets and pet parents out thereand teach them about animal aromatherapy and food therapy, Koenadded. Opening a small practice in town would be such a blessing and Iwould love to do public speaking on the topic so close to my heart.“Tomorrow is not promised to us, but we can make a change today andbe the best we can be today for our loved ones and our pets.”Facebook: Namibia Animal Aromatherapy Specialist; jolandiekoen@gmail.com.

The healing power of aromatherapy

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-31

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The healing power of aromatherapy

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-31

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