About Jo
Before from the seed - aromatherapy
Many years ago, before I became an aromatherapist, I worked as a stage manager in London’s West End. The hours were long and the environment stressful. One Spring I came down with a very nasty flu bug. It was hard to take time off as you were expected to be at work – ‘the show must go on’! The wig mistress on this particular show used essential oils in her daily life. She could see how badly I was suffering and introduced me to Eucalyptus and Thyme essential oils to help me get through the worst of my symptoms and there the seed was sown!
In 1996 I trained for and received my Diploma of Holistic Aromatherapy at the Tisserand Institute before running a practice at the Portland Hospital, London offering aromatherapy and yoga for women in pregnancy, alongside setting up my private practice.
In 1998 I trained to be an infant massage teacher with the International Association of Infant Massage, and the following year I returned to the Tisserand Institute to teach Essential Oil Therapeutics until 2004.
I was also part of the teaching faculty on the Aromatherapy Diploma for Neal’s Yard Remedies until 2023, and taught massage for nine years at The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy.
Qualifications, accreditations, teaching
Books, journals, guest speaking
In 2019 I was commissioned to write my first book, The Little Book of Baby Massage for DK Books and contributed to Neal’s Yard Remedies Complete Massage, also for DK Books, as well as the 5th Edition of “Aromatherapy for Health Professionals” by Shirley, Len and Penny Price, published by Elsevier.
My latest publication, Aromatherapist in a Box, commissioned by Skittledog (an imprint of Thames & Hudson) is a comprehensive set of cards exploring 50 essential oils, their therapeutic actions and how to apply them.
I have also contributed to many aromatherapy journals, including publications in the US and Taiwan, and often appear as a guest speaker at IFPA conferences and press launches. In 2012 I was a speaker at The CAM Expo, London and in 2016, I was invited to run a workshop at the prestigious Botanica Conference in Brighton – Seasons of Life – Puberty to Menopause with Essential Oils.
I have also been a regular guest on the Chrissy B Show (Sky 191) talking about using essential oils to support your well-being.
Read more on my connections page.
I am Tisserand Aromatherapy’s Essential Oil Expert with responsibility for creating new blends, sourcing essential oils and promoting aromatherapy. Recent blends, including Restore Balance, have been awarded various accolades from The Beauty Shortlist Awards.
Alongside my private practice
Continuing Professional Development
from the seed also provides CPD – continuing professional development – to post graduate aromatherapists. Courses run throughout the year and cover topics from pregnancy to bespoke aromatherapy facials. I am delighted to have a team of wonderful tutors who are also practitioners. Courses with a practical element run in Brighton, Sussex, whilst theory CPD is available on-line.
from the seed offers bespoke holistic aromatherapy for everyone but with a focus on women’s heath, and their hormonal journey from puberty to menopause