Protecting medicinal and aromatic plants – and their use in traditional medicine – for future generations
Protecting medicinal and aromatic plants – and their use in traditional medicine – for future generations
Our Purpose
Airmid Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the global education, research, and sustainable management of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). We aim to develop, implement, and support projects and education for all ages focused on traditional ecological knowledge of aromatic plant medicine among healers worldwide, impacts of climate change, ethical sourcing, and forest regeneration. We also help to protect and promote uses of traditional medicine in Indigenous communities.
Airmid Institute launches new membership system and more member resources!
Airmid Institute is excited to announce its new password-protected online membership system. This system was developed to provide individual, easy and protected access to membership benefits and resources at every membership level. The many benefits of becoming a member of Airmid Institute, such as its triennial newsletter Green Telegram, live and recorded webinars presented by global speakers, and the Airmid Institute Biannual List are available online and live under one roof. Additional resources include complementary articles and research!
Latest News
Online Presentation on Palo Santo
September 18, 2024 at 10am
Join us on September 18th at 10:00 AM PT for a special Airmid Institute presentation, ‘Palo Santo, the Sacred Wood of Ecuador: Challenges and Indigenous Conservation Efforts’. This public webinar features panelists Rafael Parducci V and Ivonne Mosler from Ecuador, discussing the cultural and ecological significance of Palo Santo. Dominique Gaillard will join them to explore conservation challenges and the vital role of Indigenous traditions.
Welcome Deborah Early, PhD.!
Airmid Institute welcomes Airmid Ambassador of Aotearoa New Zealand, Deborah Early, PhD. Dr. Early creatively combines scientific rigor with olfactory and biophilic art to inspire conservation and a deep connection to nature. Author of Glimpses of Medicinal Botanics (2008) and Forest Bathing with My Clothes On (2024), she designs sensory experiences that connect people, culture, and nature, fostering awareness and action to safeguard our planet.
Welcome Dr. Puescas Chully, Airmid’s Ambassador of Peru!
Miguel Antonio Puescas Chully, born on May 1, 1964, in Bellavista de La Unión, Sechura Province, Piura, Peru, is a distinguished Engineer. He resides in Cerro Blanco, San Juan de la Virgen District, Tumbes Province. Miguel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry Sciences from the National University of the Peruvian Amazon….
Airmid’s Ethical Sourcing Guidelines and Sustainability Principles
Airmid Institute is excited to announce that it will be releasing basic ethical sourcing guidelines and their sustainability principles in the near future! The guidelines will highlight key elements of ethical sourcing based on Airmid’s sustainability principles including economic, environmental, distribution, health, social, and cultural sustainability.
Dr. Kelly Ablard Presents at the University of Istanbul
This October Dr. Kelly Ablard will present a talk on biodiversity hotspots in Turkey and its fragile endemic and native medicinal and aromatic plant species. The one-day meeting will be held at the University of Istanbul’s Beyazıt campus. The event is organized in collaboration with Sevda Süzgeç, Dean of the Pharmaceutical Faculty, and Sevil Altinel Agalar, Airmid Ambassador of Turkey.
Dr. Kelly Ablard Speaking at the AIA 2024 Conference
Join Dr. Kelly Ablard at this year’s AIA conference “Embracing and Composing Sustainable Aromatics,” for her presentation titled “Threatened Aromatic Plant Species Used in Clinical & Pharmaceutical Research: An Integrative Review”. She will discuss the nature of this problem and its implications on essential oil safety and efficacy, research reproducibility and assessment, regulatory policies, and most importantly, threatened plant protection.
Join Airmid in Crete!
Study Abroad | October 18-20, 2024
Join us for a captivating educational event on the stunning island of Crete, recognized globally for its biodiversity and unique medicinal plants. This gathering features esteemed experts like Kurt Michael Arruda, Silvia Jiménez Català , Anna Papazoglou, Dr. Jacqui Stringer, and Dr. Kelly Ablard, as well as special guests and presenters Jenny Charlton, Mixalis and Theano Flemetakis and Ildiko Berecz.
Airmid Institute welcomes the Alliance of International Aromatherapists as an Association Member
The Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) firmly believes that sustainability is not just a choice, but a responsibility. Recognizing the importance of environmental responsibility, we advocate for ethical sourcing and production practices that prioritize the conservation of plant resources and ultimately the future of aromatherapy. The AIA encourages the use of sustainable farming methods, emphasizing organic cultivation and the protection of biodiversity…
The Toucan Green Skills Initiative
Peruvian Shipibo Adler Pacaya Paredes and Dr. Kelly Ablard were honored to co-present “Preserving medicinal and aromatic plants: an Indigenous perspective” at the NAHA World of Aromatherapy XI Beyond Aromatics V Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. They highlighted the significant challenge humanity faces with the environmental impacts of climate change on essential oil- and carrier oil-bearing plants and emphasized the crucial role of Indigenous peoples and their traditional ecological knowledge in preserving these plants.
Airmid Insitute Welcomes the CAOA as an Association Member
Airmid welcomes Professional Aromatherapy Association, the Canadian Alliance of Aromatherapy (CAOA) as an Association Member! We are honored to be working with this amazing organization whose mission is to establish and maintain high professional standards for aromatherapists by ensuring they participate in continuing education and adhere to ethical practices and sustainability principles related to essential oils…
Junior Ambassador Summer Update
This summer, Dr. Kelly Ablard was honored to visit Knowsley Junior School in Oldham, UK with Dr. Jacqui Stringer, Airmid Institute’s Ambassador of the UK, and Founder of the Junior Airmid Ambassador Program. Knowsley Junior School was the first school to be part of the Junior Airmid Ambassador Program and entrusted their Eco Squad to run the project and plant the seeds of the fragile medicinal and aromatic plant, Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). They were extremely successful!
Welcome Julia Falkenstein!
Please join Airmid Institute in welcoming Airmid Institute’s Ambassador of Germany, Julia Falkenstein! Julia will be working with Airmid Institute to identify fragile medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) native to Germany for public dissemination, implement multi-regional educational projects focused on the protection of native MAPs, and to promote sustainable traditional distillation and the use of locally sourced MAPs for aromatherapy.
New Airmid Junior Ambassador Badges
Dr. Kelly Ablard and Dr. Jacqui Stringer will be presenting the first ever Airmid Junior Ambassadors with their badges on June 30th at Knowsley School located in North West England! Children’s educational programs that support opportunities for them to connect to Nature has been a focus of Airmid’s since our inception, and further inspired by 2021 The Dasgupta Review, which places a heavy emphasis on children.
Welcome Birgit Salling!
Airmid Institute is excited to welcome Birgit Salling as their Chief Administrative Officer! We are fortunate that Birgit is joining us where she will share her love for Nature and medicinal and aromatic plants, and bring to us her vast experience in numerous healing modalities, exceptional administrative skills in office and…
Our Focus
Global Initiatives
Earth and its biodiversity are facing unprecedented challenges which must be met with global initiatives.
Education
Education for all ages is where the change we need to see begins.
Sustainability Principles
Principles help guide conservation efforts which strengthen supply chains and empower consumers.
Collaboration
Knowledge-sharing facilitates and expedites projects aimed to protect Earth and its biodiversity.
Ethical Sourcing
Holding others accountable for their unsustainable practices provides opportunities for improvement and protection.
Featured Projects
Learn about our projects with partners around the world. Airmid Institute actively works to fullfill our mission to expand knowledge and assist with conservation efforts.