I knew I wanted to grow a business and I took classes and prepared myself through the Small Business Administration, and by taking advantage of courses and community training needed to support and sustain a small business with a unique specialty such as mine.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Andrea Bailey-Tweed.
Andrea spent decades of her life in radio and television broadcasting, along with her top-level work as a communications professional within the United States Government before suffering a health crisis, which led her on a downward spiral. Countless doctor visits, surgeries, and medication were unsuccessful as her health continued to deteriorate. Taking charge of her destiny and health,she employed the power of aromatherapy with miraculous results. Today, she is a certified aromatherapist and founder of Earth’s Own Essentials LLC. Her goal is to empower people to be proactive in their health care.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Iam Andrea Bailey-Tweed, Certified Aromatherapist, and founder of Earth’s Own Essentials, LLC.
I was sickly as a child. I didn’t live near my grandparents, but my grandmother was always making something for my mother to use for me; creams, tonics, and teas or something. Even though I would fight the process (some of them were horrible), I was always better in a day or two. When I would visit my grandmother, she would take me through the garden and explain that the plants were GOD’s medicine. My parents also gardened — vegetables and herbs. My mother would show me how to macerate herbs in oils and make teas, etc. as I grew.
I have always been health conscious, so I guess maybe subconsciously, it had an impact on me. But never so great an impact as it did in 2011 when my body turned on me. At what I considered the height of my career, I suffered a major health crisis that brought my career, and almost my life, to an end.
Despite multiple surgeries, and numerous prescribed medications, it became clear that traditional allopathic medicine was not helping improve my medical condition; I was getting sicker and having terrible reactions to medicines. After a while, I felt doctors were ignoring me; everything was standard operating procedure. My husband and I were both afraid I was never going to be the same again. I suffered for many years, and nothing had changed. One doctor even suggested I be admitted to long-term care because there was nothing else they could do.
It was at that moment that I decided I had one of two choices, succumb to my condition, or fight like heck to prove them wrong. I chose the latter. I researched alternative medical treatments, then I studied hundreds of hours to become a Certified Aromatherapist. During this journey, I created the first of my therapeutic formulations for myself. Within months, I was on my way to recovery. As I continued using the oils, I was able to incorporate physical and massage therapy into my healthcare routine. My pain eased drastically, my condition continued to improve, and I regained my ability to walk and function.
As I improved, I made a vow to share what I’ve learned and experienced about the healing powers of essential oils with the world, and with people who have health conditions and are looking for support and need alternative healthcare options.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
Having the opportunity and ability to support those with a wide range of health conditions is always fascinating and interesting to me.
Share a story about the biggest mistake you made when you were first starting.
The biggest mistake I made initially was beginning with too much inventory. I felt like I had to have everything right from the start. It was extremely costly to start that way, and it resulted in a lot of waste due to expiration of some short shelf-life products.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
I give a heartfelt thanks to my friend and sister Wendy Adcock who kept me from freaking out numerous times, and my husband who encouraged me to do it, and helped me whenever I asked, and my sons who continually support and encourage me too.
When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
I believe that GOD made all provision for us on this earth. Wellness is not a gift only for those who can afford it, it is for everyone. The use of essential oils to help maintain and support health and medical conditions has been documented for millennia. The effects are real and measurable. Using essential oils for health and wellness can make a significant impact in several ways. They include:
Promoting Natural Health Alternatives: Essential oils offer natural alternatives to chemical-based products. They can support physical and emotional well-being, providing options for those looking to reduce their use of synthetic substances.
Supporting Mental Health: Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and neroli are known for their calming properties. They can help reduce stress, anxiety, and promote better sleep, contributing to overall mental health.
Enhancing Physical Health: Certain essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving properties. They can be used to support the immune system, treat minor wounds, improve sleep, and support cold/flu and viruses, which can reduce the reliance on over-the-counter medications and the cost of doctor visits.
Empowering Self-Care: Using essential oils encourages people to take an active role in their health and wellness. This empowerment can lead to better self-awareness and healthier lifestyle choices.
Environmental Impact: Essential oils are derived from plants, often through sustainable farming practices. By choosing natural products, people can reduce their environmental footprint compared to synthetic alternatives.
Integrative Medicine: Essential oils are increasingly being integrated into conventional medicine practices. They are used in aromatherapy, massage therapy, in some clinical settings and even some dental offices, providing complementary treatments that can enhance overall patient care.
By promoting these aspects of health and wellness, the work with essential oils helps create a more holistic and sustainable approach to well-being, benefiting individuals and the broader community.
People can achieve good health by using natural products that are free from side effects and easy to use. I am dedicated to educating people about the physical and financial benefits of using essential oils.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
- Incorporate regular physical activity and eat a healthy balanced diet: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. This could be walking, cycling, yoga, or any activity you enjoy. Regular exercise boosts physical health, reduces stress, and improves mood.
Focus on whole, unprocessed foods. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your diet. Staying hydrated and limiting sugar and processed food intake can also significantly impact your overall well-being.
2. Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you get 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night. Good sleep is crucial for mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical health. Establish a bedtime routine, avoid screens, social media and cellphones before bed, and create a comfortable sleep environment free of background lighting and disturbing noises.
3. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management: Incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or journaling into your daily routine. Managing stress is essential for mental health and can improve physical health by reducing stress-related ailments. Get outdoors — spend time at the parks, lakes and do some forest bathing (a stroll in the forest can invigorate your olfactories, soothe your emotions and provide exercise at the same time); your body will thank you!
4. Build Strong Social Connections: Cultivate meaningful relationships and maintain a supportive social network. Spend quality time with friends and family and engage in activities that foster connection. Strong social ties contribute to emotional well-being and can provide support during challenging times. Participate in or find groups and organizations that share your values and common interests.
5. Practice gratefulness! We have so much in this Country, yet we are never satisfied. Practicing gratefulness involves regularly acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of your life. This practice can significantly enhance your overall well-being.
Gratefulness is about recognizing and valuing the good things in your life, both big and small. By focusing on what you are thankful for, you can shift your mindset towards positivity and improve your overall well-being. Here are some simple ways to practice gratefulness:
Keep a Gratitude Journal: For those of you who like journaling, spend a few minutes each day writing down three things you are grateful for. This helps you focus on positive experiences and reinforces a habit of looking for the good in your life.
Express Appreciation: Take the time to thank people in your life. Whether it’s a quick message, a handwritten note, or a verbal thank you, expressing appreciation strengthens relationships and fosters a positive atmosphere.
Mindful Reflection: Set aside a moment each day (I start my day this way) to reflect on what is well in your life. It helps reinforce your sense of gratitude.
Gratitude Rituals: Incorporate small gratitude rituals into your daily routine. For example, before a meal, take a moment to appreciate the food and the effort that went into preparing it. Send a card to someone just to say, “thank you for your friendship.”
Focus on the Present: Practicing mindfulness can help you stay present and appreciate the current moment. By being aware of your surroundings and experiences, you really can find joy and gratitude in everyday activities.
Practicing gratefulness can lead to increased happiness, reduced stress, increased energy and improved relationships. It helps create a positive outlook on life, making it easier to navigate challenges and enjoy the present moment.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could start a movement like that, it would be a Holistic Wellness Revolution. It would focus on integrating natural health practices, mental health awareness, collaboration with healthcare practitioners and community support to create a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. It would include education and awareness programs, access to natural health resources, facilities and necessary equipment.
By integrating these elements, the Holistic Wellness Revolution would aim to create a culture of well-being that is accessible, sustainable, and supportive, and lead to improved health and well-being for the most amount of people.”
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
I really don’t have 5 things. I knew I wanted to grow a business and I took classes and prepared myself through the Small Business Administration, and by taking advantage of courses and community training needed to support and sustain a small business with a unique specialty such as mine.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
I would put the causes of sustainability and environmental changes together because they simultaneously affect each other. Essential oils are derived from plants, many of which are harvested in extremely large quantities to meet growing demand. Unsustainable harvesting practices can lead to overexploitation of natural resources, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity.
Sustainable practices ensure the long-term availability of these resources, preserving ecosystems and maintaining the balance of natural habitats. Ensuring sustainable production means that future generations can continue to benefit from these natural remedies.
Many essential oils are produced in developing countries where agriculture is a primary source of livelihood. Sustainable practices can promote fair trade, improve the quality of life for local communities, and ensure fair wages and working conditions.
I also share a deep desire to support mental health. Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall well-being. With increasing rates of stress, anxiety and depression, and suicides, natural interventions like essential oils can provide a complementary approach to traditional treatments. Aromatherapy through diffusion or applied topically can aid in alleviating many mental health symptoms. When inhaled, essential oil molecules interact with the olfactory system, directly impacting the brain’s limbic system, which is involved in emotion regulation, stress response, and memory.
When applied topically (and with carrier oil) to the skin, essential oils can be absorbed into the bloodstream, allowing their active compounds to interact with the central nervous system and employ therapeutic effects.
Oils like lavender, basil and rosewood contain the chemical constituent Linalool which interacts with the central nervous system by modulating neurotransmitter systems, including GABA, which has an inhibitory effect on neural activity, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Citrus oils (orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit) contain the constituent limonene which has uplifting and anti-anxiety properties. Limonene can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation. β-Pinene (found in pine, rosemary, and frankincense) is known for its anti-anxiety and cognitive-enhancing effects. β-Pinene interacts with the brain’s chemical pathways to promote alertness and improve mood.
Understanding the importance of essential oil sustainability can lead to more mindful and responsible consumption. By supporting sustainable practices, we ensure the availability of these natural resources for future generations.
The mental health benefits of essential oils through informed use can enhance well-being in a natural and holistic manner.
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
