Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aroma compounds for the purpose of altering one’s mood, cognitive, psychological or physical well-being. It can be offered as a complementary therapy or, more controversially, as form of alternative medicine.
In this course we will discuss and become familiar with the principles of aromatherapy, the benefits of aromatherapy, the items and techniques used in aromatherapy, and the fundamentals of the aromatherapy business.
Students will:
- Educate others about appropriate holistic health protocols using essential oils to support and rebalance the body and restore wellness for general good health
- Discuss aromatherapy, its history, use, and status of current research
- Blend and administer essential oils safely
- Discuss the therapeutic uses and methods of administration for most mainstream essential oils
- Describe the methods of creating, blending and using essentials oils
- Define and explain the scientific application of essential oils and application of aromatherapy
- Describe the primary method for obtaining and selling essentials oils
- Turn your home into a relaxing aromatherapy spa
Course Outline:
Lesson 1: Foundations of Aromatherapy
The concept and application of aromatherapy to provide comfort and alternative solutions to various day-to-day challenges have been around longer than most people think. In fact, it has been nearly a century since the practice has begun. This lesson looks at the historical origins of aromatherapy and the theoretical perspectives which provide foundational knowledge for one to understand how aromatherapy can benefit someone and why it should be used as part of a way of living life.
Lesson 2: Creating Essential Oil Synergies – Aromatic Blending
Now that one has an understanding and the purpose of essential oils and aromatherapy, the next step in the process is to understand the fundamentals of essential oils and how they need to be blended in a way that yields a desirable result. This lesson covers how synergy and antagonism can affect end products that essential oils provide. Additionally, students will learn about Maury’s Individual Prescription as the core focus of oil blends is to restore balance in one way or another.
Lesson 3: Approaches to Aromatherapy
Much like cooking, mixing essential oils together for aromatherapeutic purposes requires skill, talent, and time to perfect. In most cases, there are two (2) common approaches to aromatherapy – via a molecular approach and a psychosensory approach. This lesson reviews how aromatherapists should analyze oils through these approaches so that synergies can occur. The second chapter of this lesson comprehensive details on various types of products that are often used in essential oils that trigger some specific result (e.g. mental clarity).
Lesson 4: Botanical Principles of Aromatherapy
Gaining a firm understanding of the composition of plants and other items that are used to create essential oils is critically important in order to be successful as an aromatherapist. This lesson reviews botanical principles of aromatherapy – stemming from the roots where some oils can be extracted through to flowers and/or leaves that a plant can offer. Having a comprehensive understanding as to how plants can produce essential oils ensures that blends created are done so to maximize benefits and achieve desired results.
Lesson 5: Essential Oils of Angiospermae and Gymnospermae
Essential oils come from a number of different sources – whether from the root of a plant on in the case of this lesson, seeded plants. This lesson reviews essential oils that often come from different types of seeding plants. Additionally, students will gain understanding and comprehension as to common types of angiospermae and gymnospermae and how oils extracted from these can be used for a specific purpose.
Lesson 6: Absolutes and Resinoids in Aromatherapy
Absolutes and resinoids are the most highly concentrated and unaltered aromatic materials produced for use in the perfumery industry, and most do not have documented therapeutic uses, certainly not in the way that essential oils have. This lesson reviews comprehensively what these are and how they can be used to create essential oils and essential oil combinations. One should note that absolutes and resinoids are often more powerful than traditional essential oils and caution should be used when working with these substances.
