Aromatherapy Health Applications

Learn to understand potential applications for aromatherapy to improve wellbeing.

Course Code: BRE215
Fee Code: S2
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
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Learn to Apply Aromatherapy to Improve Wellbeing.

  • Aromatherapy is the use of scent – or aroma – for therapeutic purposes.
  • It is sometimes referred to as the use of fragrance, fragrance has a specific meaning tied to concentration of active ingredient.
  • Scent can have both negative and positive affects on the physical body and human psychology.

There are many ways to leverage the therapeutic power of scent, from using candles and incense through to washing with particular hair and body products. Oils are also used in a variety of ways, including massage, or as a complement to alternative health treatments. Understanding the principles of aromatherapy, and the benefits of the most common scents, can be useful in a variety of contexts within and without the health world. 

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

  1. Essential Oil Properties A
    • Introduction
    • Chemicals found in plants
    • Primary metabolites
    • Secondary metabolites
    • Properties of essential oils
    • Alternative effect
    • Analgesic effect
    • Anti inflammatory effect
    • Antibacterial, Anti fungal, anti viral effects
    • Astringent effect
    • Calmative effect
    • Diaphoretic effect
    • Diuretic effect
    • Emmenagogue effect
    • Using Aromatherapy
  2. Essential Oil Properties B
    • Expectorant effect
    • Granulation-stimulating effect
    • Nervine effect
    • Rubefacient effect
    • Sedative effect
    • Spasmolytic effect
    • Stimulatory effect
    • Tonic effect
    • Chemistry of Aromatherapy
    • Phenolic compounds
    • Flavonoids
    • Terpenoids
    • Blending
    • Classical blending
    • Balancing
  3. Oil Extraction
    • Introduction
    • Expression
    • Distillation
    • Stem Distillation
    • Effleurage
    • Solvent extraction
    • Super critical carbon dioxide extraction
    • Hydro diffusion
    • Phytonic process
  4. The Physiology and Psychology of Aromatherapy
    • Science of smell – olfaction
    • Mechanism of action
    • Absorption of essential oils into bloodstream
  5. Applications of Aromatherapy
    • Introduction
    • Massage
    • Making massage oils
    • Inhalation
    • Vaporisation/ burners, diffusers
    • Baths
    • Compress
    • Creams and lotions
    • Components - oils, essential oils, emulsifiers, humectants, thickeners, preservatives, optional additives
    • Processes of making cream
    • Internal or Dermal applications
  6. Aromatherapy Safety
    • Introduction
    • General safety notes
    • Recommended amounts – adults, children. Pregnancy
    • Reactions / Irritations
    • General Precautions – allergies, fever, blood pressure, epilepsy, cancer, etc
    • Toxicity – acute, chronic
    • Hazardous oils
    • Quality of oil
    • Storage
  7. Aromatherapy Treatment
    • Client information
    • Counselling and assessment
    • Location
    • Body language
    • Listening skills
    • Open questions
    • The consultation form
    • Treatment plan
    • Clarify goals
    • Suitable essential oils
    • Application method
    • Explain treatment to client
    • Advise of potential adverse reactions
    • Client feedback and follow op
    • Informed consent
    • Referral
    • Confidentiality
    • Record keeping
  8. Body Systems – Part 1
    • Introduction
    • Cardiovascular system
    • Treatments for specific conditions – poor circulation, palpitations, hypertension, hypotension etc
    • Respiratory system
    • Treatments for sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, etc
    • Lymphatic system & related treatments
    • Reproductive system & related treatments
    • Endocrine system & related treatments
  9. Body Systems – Part 2
    • Musculoskeletal system & related treatments
    • Nervous system and related treatments
    • Essential oils to consider for other psychological disorders
    • Digestive system and related treatments
    • Integumentary System and related treatments
  10. Running your business
    • Product development
    • Incense making
    • Soap making
    • Aromatherapy Candle making
    • Aromatherapy sprays
    • Scented waters
    • Scents derived from plant volatile oils
    • Business considerations
    • Aromatherapist practitioner
    • Business planning

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Identify the different properties of essential oils and describe their effects on the body.
  • Identify the various methods used in extracting essential oils.
  • Describe how essential oils can enter the bloodstream and the process of olfaction.
  • Learn some of the more common application methods used with essential oils in aromatherapy.
  • Ensure that essential oils are used in a safe and controlled manner and identify situations where aromatherapy might not be appropriate.
  • Develop an aromatherapy treatment plan for a client.
  • Identify which essential oils would be appropriate for use of various conditions relating to specific body systems.
  • Understand the scope and nature of an aromatherapy business.

Essential oils derived from plants consist of unique and complex chemical constituents that react with the body’s own chemistry to promote a variety of responses in specific organs and body systems.  In short: essential oils are a complex mixture of different naturally occurring chemicals extracted from plants.

Physiological effects caused by essential oils occur due to the absorption of molecules into the blood stream via external application, or via inhalation. Essential oils in a carrier oil applied to the skin are absorbed into the body either through hair follicles and sweat glands, or through the stratum corneum (the layer at the surface of the skin). When essential oils are inhaled, molecules will pass through the respiratory system to the alveoli in the lungs, where they will move into the bloodstream. Inhaled molecules can also reach the central nervous system via the nasal mucosa. 

When you examine cosmetic products, toiletries and even mainstream medicines sold by pharmacists, you may find that many of their constituents are essential oils derived from herbs. Any one plant can contain hundreds of different chemicals, including a combination of different essential oils, e.g. many lavenders contain lavender oil, but some cultivars can also contain camphor oil. The smell of lavender oil may be beneficial, but the smell of camphor oil may have a negative effect on the body. Separating these oils during extraction can be challenging unless you are using a cultivar with little or no camphor oil. In short: the proper processing of herbs for aromatherapy purposes can be complex, and success is dependent on several factors.

Note: Medical aromatherapy prescribes oral dosages of essential oils, however this method is not recommended and should only be used by medical aromatherapists (unqualified practitioners can cause serious harm). Training to be a competent medical aromatherapist takes years of study and experience.

This course may be a good starting point; but far more in depth study of chemistry, human biology and other health sciences is recommended before you would call yourself an aromatherapist.

 

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

  • Anyone wanting to develop a solid foundation for understanding aromatherapy.
  • People wishing to commercially produce aromatherapy products
  • Massage therapists or other heath industry professionals who wish to extend their knowledge of aromatherapy 
  • Retailers of aromatherapy products including candles, massage oils, etc.
 

WHICH AROMATHERAPY COURSE?

We offer two different aromatherapy courses. The other one is broader based and contains more about growing aromatic plants for their aromatherapy uses; while this course focuses mostly on the human health benefits than this one.

There is a degree of overlap between the two; but if you are keen to learn as much as you can about aromatherapy; you may consider doing both.

Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS is a Silver Sponsor of the AIH; and students studying designated courses are given free student membership. ACS and it's principal have had an association with AIH since the 1980's
ACS is a Silver Sponsor of the AIH; and students studying designated courses are given free student membership. ACS and it's principal have had an association with AIH since the 1980's
Long-term member since 1986.
Long-term member since 1986.
UK Register of Learning Providers, UK PRN10000112
UK Register of Learning Providers, UK PRN10000112

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Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Tracey Jones (Psychologist)

B.Sc. (Psych), M.Soc.Sc., Dip.Social Work, P.G.Dip Learning Disability, Cert Editing, Cert Creative Writing, PGCE.
Member British Psychological Society, Member Assoc. for Coaching, Member British Learning Assoc.
25 years industry experience in writing, editing, education, psychology, and business. Tracey has several books and hundreds of articles published; in both fiction and non fiction.

Jacinda Cole

Former operations manager for highly reputable Landscape firm, The Chelsea Gardener, before starting her own firm. Jacinda has over 20 years of industry experience in Psychology, Landscaping, Publishing, Writing and Education. Jacinda has a B.Sc., Psych.Cert., M. Psych. Cert.Garden Design, MACA.

Melissa Leistra

B.Ed. M. Human Nutrition

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