The healing power of aromatherapy

Her household was constantly plagued by illness, doctors’ visits, chronic

antibiotics and medication. It felt like a never-ending battle and in

desperation, Jolandie Koen prayed to God to enable her to help her

family and break the cycle of ill health.

“As crazy as this might sound, I was in the kitchen making coffee and a

voice spoke and said ‘aromatherapy’. I was not sure whether my head

was playing games with me or what was going on, but that word stayed

with me,” she recalled. She started researching the topic, finding heaps

of information on its health benefits. One essential oil brand

continuously kept popping up - DoTERRA. She made contact with a

woman in the United Kingdom, but being the sceptic she’s been all her

life, Koen still wasn’t sure whether she should trust it.

But again, the voice clearly said ‘aromatherapy’, prompting her to take

the plunge and order her family’s own essential oil kit.

“The lady in the United Kingdom was so helpful and sent me so much

information on how to use and when to use the essential oils. She

added me to her training groups and so we started using essential oils

in our home.”

Three months passed until one evening it dawned on Koen and her

family that days and weeks had gone by without them seeing a doctor

or using antibiotics - and that they now barely used any medication, if at

all.

“I realised the voice was God leading me and answering my prayer. He

was the voice that spoke to me.” Since the family started using essential

oils two years ago, they have not used antibiotics again, and have only

visited 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 oils

that people use in their homes to make it smell nice, but that was about

it.”



Helping people and their pets

As an avid animal lover, one of her first questions to her contact in

England was: “What about my animals, will they be okay?” as she did

not want to cause them any health issues, since her family was already

struggling with their own. Koen was put in contact with an essential oil

veterinarian in Texas in the United States to consult with regarding

animal aromatherapy - as she also uses DoTERRA essential oils for

animals.

“I saw an opportunity and a door was once again opened for me by

God. If these essential oils can have such a huge health benefit for us

as humans, just imagine how many pets can benefit from this!”

Being a very curious person by nature, Koen realised this was what she

wanted to do - to help people and their pets.

“I always dreamt of doing something special and something different

and suddenly my dreams were realised.”

Having worked for veterinary practices for quite a few years as an

assistant and nurse, she took a leap of faith and channelled all her

energy into animal aromatherapy.

Today, she is the only certified animal aromatherapy specialist in

Namibia, living her dream of doing something special and unique for the

country and all pet parents!

“God answered my prayers and still blesses me abundantly. I didn't

really have to do much research as one thing just led to another and

doors would just open. I took every opportunity possible and learnt as

much as God gave to me to learn.”

Koen enrolled at the Cambridge College of Holistic Health in early 2023

and obtained a certificate, making her an emotional aromatherapy

advisor for both humans and animals. She then enrolled with an

essential oil veterinarian overseas where she completed her Level 1

certification as an animal aromatherapy specialist. Currently, she is

enrolled for the Level 2 certification. She also completed courses

offered by DoTERRA as an aromatherapy specialist and business

builder.

Koen explained that the main aim of aromatherapy is to teach people

about its holistic health benefits, and that it is safe to use should you

want to support your emotional or physical health in a natural manner.

Therapeutic health support

According to Koen, when an animal receives alternative therapy, the pet

parent receives the same therapeutic health support, whether

emotionally or physically.

She recalled a case of a 13-year-old dog with skin tags whose parents

were 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 applied

daily. Eight days later, all the skin tags dried up and fell off with no

scarring or regrowth during or after therapy.

She said she also assisted another dog who was diagnosed with an

autoimmune disease. With a diet change and essential oils used

internally, he is now thriving.

Then there was the parrot who was constantly screaming and hiding in

dark places, not letting anyone close to him. His diet was adjusted to be

species appropriate, while his owner started diffusing calming oils. A

week later, there is no more screaming and hiding, with the parrot

following the owner everywhere and letting himself be touched and

comforted.

“These are some of the cases that will forever keep me humble and

grateful for the blessings received and the difference I was able to make

in the lives of pet parents and their pets,” she said.

When using essential oils in your home - regardless whether you have

animals or not - safety comes first, Koen said.

The oils must be certified pure therapeutic grade (CPTG) and

registered, and must contain a batch number and an expiry date.

DoTERRA’s pure therapeutic essential oils are safe to use for both

humans and animals. The oils should be diluted according to the pet’s

needs. “Different applications apply for essential oils and we make use

of three ways: Aromatically, internally and topically, depending on the

health status and sensitivity.”

As an animal aromatherapist, Koen does food therapy along with

aromatherapy. A basic toolkit will consist of oils to support the pet’s

immune, respiratory and digestive system, oils for anti-inflammatory,

analgesic, antioxidant, anti-fungal and antihistamine purposes, and

always a calming oil.

With essential oils freely available on the market, she emphasised the

importance of making sure they are safe to use for therapeutic purposes

and your animals.

“Not all oils are pure essential oils and this can have a detrimental

impact on both you and your pet’s health.”

Not only a last resort

She admitted that animal aromatherapy is still a very foreign concept of

health support when it comes to animals, especially because it is such a

unique method of alternative therapy and it is not something that has

been offered to pet parents in the past. Currently, Koen is - for many

clients - a last resort as their animals are just not responding the way

they would like them to respond to western medicine.

“People are, however, open to change and willing to try alternative

therapy for their pet and also for themselves. As an animal

aromatherapy specialist, I have been taught to provide complete health

support 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 there

and teach them about animal aromatherapy and food therapy, Koen

added. Opening a small practice in town would be such a blessing and I

would 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 and

be the best we can be today for our loved ones and our pets.”

Facebook: Namibia Animal Aromatherapy Specialist; [email protected].