AROMATHERAPY II -Health Applications

Learn how Aromatherapy can be applied to improve health.

The sense of smell can have a subtle yet powerful impact on the human body.

This course helps you to better understand that and in doing so provides a solid foundation for using fragrance to influence health and wellbeing.

OPPORTUNITIES

There are many ways to use plant derived fragrance, to provide services or products. These range from providing a massage with fragrant oils, to the production of products  such as skin lotions, soaps and perfumes.

Spa treatments may incorporate oil blends with other activities, designed to achieve a particular effect. For example, a bath oil fragrance enters through both the skin and nose; but at the same time, the skin is hydrated, and in a hot, steamy bath, sweating is promoted cleaning the skin’s pores.

Responsible practitioners and product suppliers however should always check for contraindications though before using or recommending a particular oil. Certain oils are contraindicated for people with breathing difficulties (e.g. lavender, chamomile) while others may affect or exacerbate other conditions such as allergies, high blood pressure, and more. Always take particular care with people who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding.

If you intend working with aromatherapy, knowledge is important. This course gives you a sound foundation, but effective treatments requires responsible and effective application of knowledge. Know what you are using, and always use it appropriately in order to get a positive health outcome and avoid risks.

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
   • Enfleurage
   • 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