Rhiannon Lewis

Biography and Expertise of Rhiannon Lewis

Rhiannon Lewis is a clinical aromatherapist, educator, and author whose career of more than 35 years has been dedicated to establishing aromatherapy as a credible, evidence-based discipline within mainstream healthcare. As the director of Essential Oil Resource Consultants (EORC) in France, she has developed and delivered specialized training programs for healthcare professionals across the globe. Her work is driven by a mission to ensure the safe, effective, and scientific application of essential oils in clinical environments, from hospitals to palliative care hospices.

Her expertise directly addresses the 3rd WCTCIM’s Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” By equipping medical staff with the skills to use aromatherapy, she builds practical bridges between complementary practices and conventional medicine. Furthermore, her unwavering commitment to scientific rigor supports the congress’s alignment with the Gujarat Declaration, which champions evidence as the foundation for integrating TCIM into public health.

Beyond education, Rhiannon Lewis is a formidable international bridge builder. She founded the International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN), a vibrant global community that embodies the congress’s spirit of South-South collaboration and knowledge exchange. This network connects over 1,900 professionals in more than 90 countries, fostering a worldwide dialogue on best practices and research. Therefore, her work exemplifies the congress motto’s pillar of “Knowledge Diversity,” demonstrating how a specific TCIM modality can be globally networked and standardized for the benefit of well-being societies.

Professional Career and Leadership

Rhiannon Lewis evolved from practitioner to a global leader in clinical aromatherapy by creating influential organizations that professionalized the discipline. She has fostered a global community and elevated standards through education, networking, and scientific communication.

Her leadership has been instrumental in moving clinical aromatherapy from a niche practice to a respected component of integrative healthcare.

• Director, Essential Oil Resource Consultants (EORC): As head of her France-based consultancy, she designs evidence-based educational programs in clinical aromatherapy for healthcare professionals.
• Founder and Director, The International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN): She founded this network to connect practitioners and researchers globally. ICAN is a hub for sharing knowledge, promoting research, and professional development for its 1,900+ members.
• Conference Host and Organizer (2012-Present): She organizes professional conferences that bring together international experts, which are crucial for disseminating new research and building professional relationships.
• Former Editor, International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy: In this role, she helped shape the field’s scientific discourse by upholding rigorous standards for publication and promoting high-quality research.
• Member, Scientific Board of the Gattefossé Foundation: Her position on this board underscores her standing in the scientific community and her role guiding aromatherapy research initiatives.

Educational Contributions and Authorship

The academic and educational contributions of Rhiannon Lewis are foundational to her international influence, building on her clinical practice. Her work translates complex knowledge into accessible, practical training for healthcare professionals. She is a key figure in curriculum development for clinical aromatherapy, ensuring standards meet the demands of modern healthcare environments.

Her commitment to knowledge dissemination is shown through her work as an author and editor. By contributing to seminal texts and scholarly journals, she has helped build a credible and accessible body of literature for the field. Her efforts directly support the congress’s Thematic Axis, “TCIM Education and Training,” by creating resources needed to develop competent practitioners.

• Lead Educator and Curriculum Designer: Through EORC, she has created specialized training modules used internationally, focusing on safety, efficacy, and evidence-based use of essential oils.
• Contributing Author: She has authored chapters in fundamental texts on aromatherapy, including the respected *Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications*. This work ensures scientific knowledge is consolidated and shared widely.
• Journal Editor: As the former editor of the *International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy*, Rhiannon Lewis played a crucial role in elevating the quality of published work, fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and documentation.
• International Lecturer and Speaker: She is a sought-after speaker at medical and complementary medicine conferences worldwide, where she shares her expertise on the clinical integration of aromatherapy.

Advocacy for Evidence-Based Practice

A central tenet of the career of Rhiannon Lewis is her powerful advocacy for grounding clinical aromatherapy in robust scientific evidence. While not primarily a bench researcher, she has been a critical catalyst for research by creating platforms for its dissemination, discussion, and translation into practice. Her work ensures that clinical applications are not based on anecdote but on a solid foundation of documented outcomes and scientific understanding.

This focus directly aligns with the principles of the Gujarat Declaration and the WHO’s strategic emphasis on evidence-informed policy and practice. Her insistence on scientific validation helps legitimize aromatherapy as a therapeutic modality and facilitates its integration into healthcare systems that demand proven efficacy and safety. Consequently, her contributions are vital for building the evidence base that underpins the global public health agenda of the 3rd WCTCIM.

Through her editorial work, conference organization, and contributions to authoritative texts like the *Handbook of Essential Oils*, Rhiannon Lewis has consistently promoted a culture of inquiry. She champions the importance of case studies, clinical audits, and controlled trials, encouraging the global network of practitioners she leads to document their work and contribute to the collective body of knowledge. This makes her a key enabler of practice-based evidence, which is essential for the continued development of all TCIM modalities.

Global Networking and Institutional Collaboration

Rhiannon Lewis extends her influence and advances her mission through active participation in key professional organizations and scientific committees. Her involvement in these groups is a testament to her leadership and reflects a strategic effort to build the institutional and community structures necessary for the sustainable growth of clinical aromatherapy. These roles allow her to shape policy, guide research funding, and foster a spirit of international cooperation.

This work is crucial for the professionalization of the field and its acceptance by the wider medical community. By engaging with foundations and networks, she helps ensure that clinical aromatherapy has a voice in important discussions about the future of integrative medicine. Her collaborative efforts, therefore, are a practical application of the 3rd WCTCIM’s goal to strengthen global public health through interdisciplinary partnerships.

• The International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN): As its founder and director, she governs the strategic direction of this global network, which serves as a primary platform for professional connection and continuing education.
• Essential Oil Resource Consultants (EORC): Her directorship of this organization places her at the forefront of professional education, setting standards for training and practice in clinical settings.
• Gattefossé Foundation: Her membership on the scientific board of this respected French foundation involves her in the evaluation and promotion of scientific research related to aromatherapy, helping to direct funding and attention toward promising areas of inquiry.

Connect with Rhiannon Lewis

To further explore the work of Rhiannon Lewis and the organizations she leads, please visit the official websites listed below. These resources offer detailed information on educational opportunities, professional networking, and the evidence-based application of clinical aromatherapy in healthcare.

Essential Oil Resource Consultants (EORC): Visit the Official Website

The International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN): Explore the Network

LinkedIn Profile: Connect on LinkedIn