Divine Wellness by Traci A. Fonville

 What’s the Stigma?

Change the way you see things and the things you see will change.

-Wayne Dyer

Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person. It’s used most often as a way to attach a negative connotation to something… usually, something that is either not well liked or understood. Such is the case with natural health and healing, including an area that I am particularly partial to, essential oils.

As a Wellness Advocate for a well-known essential oil company, the stigma I’ve found attached to our products is that of disbelief of credible evidence that they work, as well as how powerful they could be for our emotional and physical health. Now don’t push pause right here. This is surely not a ploy to rush to the website and buy! My purpose is to shatter the stigma of essential oils and perhaps many other products or ideas that you may find questionable due to unfamiliarity or the stigma that has been attached to them.

Normally when faced with an illness, what do you do? You go to the doctor, pick up a prescription, take the medication, and voila! You are cured... or so you think. But what if you were given an opportunity to learn about solutions to your minor aches, pains, and illnesses so that you can truly manage your self-care and healing at home, without the meds that sometimes cause side effects? Would you explore it? Or would you question its credibility? Not dismissing conventional health care at all, but just to give you options to help your mind, body, and spirit use its innate power to heal. Typically, we don’t think of our bodies being able to overcome illnesses without a pill. We want to be well immediately without waiting. Allowing time for rest and rejuvenation is unheard of as society has placed so many “have to’s” on our plates, that we barely have time to breathe.

Holistic healthcare addresses the underlying problem of the

disease. What’s causing it? What is the root of the problem? Are the triggers for the discomfort emotional or physical? Once uncovered, appropriate methods of treatment are suggested, which could be anything from acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy and yes, essential oils, and that’s only a few modalities to choose from. The stigma that is attached to all things holistic, in my opinion, originates with society’s view that our current healthcare system is the only way to go. To that I say, give me some options. I’d rather be able to choose between one or the other or have a combination of both if I feel that’s what my body needs. My body, my choice.

So don’t close your mind to an alternative way of thinking. Essential oils, plant medicine, can be so powerful when added to your self-care. Minor discomforts such as headaches, digestive issues, achy joints and so much more, can all be supported at home by these precious gifts given to us by mother earth. Be adventurous and try cupping, detox programs, juicing, Chinese herbs, yoga, and homeopathy! Do your own research and find doctors to support your personal health plan.

Just don’t let the stigma fool you!


Traci A. Fonville
Contributing Writer

Traci A. Fonville is a board certified holistic health coach, a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a registered yoga teacher. She is the owner of I Affirm Wellness, which specializes in health coaching and beginner yoga classes. She is a Wellness Advocate for dōTERRA Essential Oils and educates on proper usage and benefits. Traci is also a Brand Ambassador for ItWorks! Follow Traci on Instagram and Facebook @iaffirmwellness. Log onto her websites for health and wellness products at www.mydoterra.com/iaffirmwellness and www.iaffirmwellness.myitworks.com.