By Anita Kalnay, RA^® EOT^®

Spotlight on Lucas Anderson: Science Meets Sensitivity

By Anita Kalnay, RA^® EOT^®

Meet Lucas Anderson, RA^® EOT^®, and CAOA member practising in Edmonton, AB. He established Brotherhood ARomatics in 2018 and welcomes those dealing with stress, showing emotions, PTSD, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and mental breakdowns. His primary client group is men from 30 to 40 years old who tend to be more receptive to help and seek to prevent long-term issues later in life.

“When prospective clients want to scope out a new health care provider, they don’t just want the clinical. They want to know that the person working with them is human. If you can align the therapist with the client, you can create a much better connection and relationship for both.”

My sense of Lucas after just a short chat is that he is a dedicated soul with a wise curiosity who loves to validate and share his knowledge through science and fact-finding. He has spent many hours creating his databases that illustrate essential oils and carrier oils from various repertory perspectives and can be used to reference issues a practitioner might have to deal with quickly.

One of Lucas’ long-term goals is to create spas for men, all over the world, and a safe place to allow them the freedom to express their emotional and mental challenges.

“Men deserve their own services. Sure, there will be similarities. But it shouldn't be, ‘Here’s a service primarily used by, thought of, and designed for women. Let’s slap the word sports in front of it, and now it's for men.’ I want services created with men as the focus and beginning. Look at the man’s skin. What does it need? Now let’s create the services around that. What do they need emotionally? Now let’s create around that.”

He is an entrepreneur with a vision that can shine a light on men’s health and turn the tide of accessible help for men that has otherwise been overlooked or minimized with the cultural and toxic “just suck it up and be a man” attitude.

Lucas finds that most people’s physical problems aren’t always rooted in the physical. “There’s usually some sort of emotional cause, so I try to understand where the person is at and where they are coming from.

“I am passionate about working with men because there is very little out there for them, and there is very little information about them in aromatherapy and how to incorporate aromatherapy into their life.”

Lucas recalled a time when he experienced a panic attack. “I used oils shown to reduce cortisol in the bloodstream (namely neroli, lavender, rose, clary sage, sandalwood, patchouli, and citrus). The first inhale was the weirdest experience I have ever had in my life! It felt like a weight was falling off my shoulders. These oils reversed the feeling of ‘I’m paralyzed, and I don't know what to do.’ When I had a second panic attack a couple of days later, I sniffed my inhaler blend again and the panic attack stopped in its tracks. I never had another panic attack after that. Yes, the problems were still there, but it’s okay. I can do this. And I felt I could think clearly.”

Lucas has taken the time to develop and nurture his social media sites. They offer excellent discussions and opportunities to learn more about frequently asked questions like “Why we don't advocate the internal use of essential oils.” Likely one of the best discussions I have seen on the topic!

To get to know the essential oils in his collection better, Lucas has challenged himself to paint each of the 130 aromatics! He plans to make prints available, and include a few drops of the oil.

Lucas’ light-hearted curiosity and attention to factual details are welcoming. He currently sits on the CAOA board of directors, and has served as the past president of the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists. He welcomes participation in the CAOA’s monthly online coffee chats, which are free and offer 1 CE credit for those who participate.

For more information on how to contact Lucas, and how he helps men achieve freedom, visit his website at www.brotherhoodaromatics.com, or find him on Facebook and Instagram at @BrotherhoodARomatics.

Anita Kalnay, RA, EOT, has 30 years of full-time practice as an aromatherapist and intuitive healer. She holds a diploma in Spiritual PhytoEssencing and has completed more than 3,200 certified hours in other natural health modalities. She is also a natural perfume designer and works with more than 500 essential oils. Located in the Comox Valley, BC, Anita currently serves on the CAOA board of directors. She can be found at www.genieinabottle.ca.