Justin Pearce
South African aromatherapists have approached the Constitutional Assembly to try to gain official recognition for their profession.
A submission to the Constitutional Assembly made by Moyra Metcalfe, chairperson of the Association of Aromatherapists Southern Africa argues “that each individual has a right to choose and maintain natural, holistic health.
“He should be given the freedom to choose from which form of medical or complementary health practice he needs, without being bound to the medical monopoly that is at present being forced on the individual in this
The submission sets out the benefits of aromatherapy, as opposed to conventional (allopathic) forms of
“The therapy concentrates on a preventative rather than a curative approach, and in doing so is far more accessible to the general public, as well as being more cost-effective than allopathic medicine.
“Furthermore, the essences used have been found to have very few harmful side effects which, unfortunately, cannot be said for many of the allopathic drugs used
The association boasts 250 members and a vast national client base. According to its constitution, it operates as a democratic, professional organisation.
“We feel justified in requesting that the public should have access to this and other fields of complementary healthcare; not to the exclusion of allopathic medicine, but as a complement,” Metcalfe concludes.
“The individual needs to have complete free choice of whatever branch of healing he desires, without being pressured by the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act.”