How to talk to people – about safety?

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We were asked a question about how to approach safety discussions, and this was in the context of people ingesting essential oils and using them undiluted on the skin. Here at RTET we are open to debating any point, so long as the debate is civil. Below are some basic principles we believe make for a constructive exchange of opinions. – Do not approach anyone just to tell them they are doing something wrong Do you remember what it felt like to discover something new and exciting? How you loved the thing, and how you wanted to tell all your friends about it? And if someone told you what you are doing is wrong and dangerous, you probably would not like it and might not even listen. And if someone really does not want to listen to your arguments, then let them be. This point is tackled here as well: https://tisserandinstitute.org/no-one-can-hear-you-when-you…/

– Turn the narrative If you tell someone what they are doing is dangerous or wrong, they might think you are just being negative, or are saying that any use of essential oils is dangerous. One thing we found effective is shifting the message. Essentially, what you are telling people if you suggest safe dilution is that by using just a small amount, you can still enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, with minimal risk. – We are all in the same boat! The truth is we all believe in the same thing – that essential oils are a great tool to promote health and wellbeing. – It’s ok to disagree Debates don’t always lead to one person changing their mind, but just the fact that we are able to have a discussion enriches us and helps broaden our perspective. – Safety is rarely simple It’s a huge and complex subject, as you know if you have a copy of Essential Oil Safety 2e. There are many safety guidelines in the book, and I want to re-emphasize that these are guidelines, and not absolute rules, but they exist to protect the wider community from risk. – Be well informed If you point something out, be prepared to defend your point with evidence. Remember that standing on “the right side” doesn’t mean all the arguments you use are automatically correct. – Where to point people In terms of safety, here are some suggestions: Robert Tisserand’s FREE live webinar on safety: https://tisserandinstitute.org/essential-oil-safety-webinar-robert-tisserand/  https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety https://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/…/aromatherapy-sa…/ https://tisserandinstitute.org/why-safety-is-important/ https://tisserandinstitute.org/safety/

3 Comments

  1. Right here is the perfect website for everyone who wishes to find out about this topic.
    You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that
    I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh
    spin on a subject that has been discussed for many years.
    Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!

    Reply
  2. Dear Mr Tsserand,
    Thank you for this article. On our little Island a large company is now advocating the use of essential oils in massage giving a one day course and certificates. Let’s just hope that people will realize who is properly trained and who isn’t.

    Reply

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