Aromatherapy Health Applications (Aromatherapy II)

Learn how to apply aromatherapy to promote health and well-being!

Aromatherapy utilises the healing properties of essential oils to improve physiological and psychological health and well-being.

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.

• Identify different properties of essential oils
• Study different oil extraction methods
• Understand the nature of aromatherapy business and more

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Essential Oil Properties A
   • Chemicals Found in Plants
   • Properties of Essential Oils
   • Using Aromatherapy
2. Essential Oil Properties B
   • Properties of Essential Oils Continued
   • Chemistry of Aromatherapy
   • Blending
3. Oil Extraction
   • Expression
   • Distillation
4. The Physiology and Psychology of Aromatherapy
   • The Science and Physiology of Smell – Olfaction
   • The Absorption of Essential Oils into the Bloodstream
5. Applications of Aromatherapy
   • Massage
   • Inhalation
   • Vaporisation/Burners/Diffusers
   • Bath
   • Compress
   • Creams and Lotions
   • Internal and/or Dermal Applications
6. Aromatherapy Safety
   • Recommended Amounts
   • Reactions/Irritations
   • Toxicity
   • Quality of Oil
   • Storage
7. Aromatherapy Treatment
   • Client Information
   • Treatment Plan
   • Important Considerations in Practice
8. Body Systems – Part 1
   • Cardiovascular System
   • Respiratory System
   • Lymphatic System
   • Reproductive System
   • Endocrine System
9. Body Systems – Part 2
   • Musculoskeletal System
   • Nervous System
   • Digestive System
   • Integumentary System
10. Running Your Business
    • Product Development
    • Business Considerations

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.

The Physiology and Psychology of Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy there are two ways that essential oils can enter the body to work therapeutically: inhalation and absorption into the bloodstream.

Essential oils have three distinct modes of action:

• They initiate chemical changes in the body when the essential oil enters the bloodstream by reacting with hormones and enzymes.
• They have a physiological effect on the systems of the body.
• They have a psychological effect when the aroma of the oil is inhaled.

The Science and Physiology of Smell – Olfaction

The term olfaction derives from the past participle of the Latin word, olfacere, which means “to smell”.

Our senses are heightened by the presence of smell. The scent of a flower may bring pleasure, or the smell of debris or noxious gases may warn about danger. It is our sense of smell that can affect our behaviour, desires and sometimes illness. Early cultures used aromatherapy in both spiritual and medicinal ways to ‘cure’ both physical and mental diseases. Throughout history, fragrances have been used to stimulate the unconscious mind by Greek philosophers and practitioners to transform a person’s emotional state. Essential oils and aromatherapy may be used to invoke feelings of positivity and wellness based on their individual properties.

Scents we find pleasurable (such as lavender or rose) may have a positive effect on our psychological wellbeing through:

• Increased memory and cognition
• Higher self-esteem
• Mood improvement
• Heightened emotions
• Reduced stress

The term ‘Psycho-Aromatherapy’ was first mentioned by two Italian doctors, Giovanni Gatti and Renato Cajola. In 1923 they published L'Azione terapeutica degli olii essenziali, or The Action of Essences on the Nervous System. This paper outlined how certain scents can influence mood and emotions, and particularly how they can affect the depressed and anxious state.

In recent times, interest in the impact of certain odours has increased due to the documented positive effects on the physiological and psychological states of being.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS COURSE?

• Those looking to work in this field
• Those wanting more knowledge on this subject from a personal perspective
• Retailers of aromatherapy products including candles, massage oils, etc.
• Horticulturist
• Herb grower