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Aromatherapy

Course CodeVHT104
Fee CodeS2
Duration (approx)100 hours
QualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested.

Aromatherapy: Power of Essential Oils

  • Essential oils are the backbone of Aromatherapy.
  • Their effectiveness is dependent on their safe and proper use, as well as on the quality of the oil used.
  • Oils work in a much more subtle way than many commercially prepared products and in many situations are more suitable for preventative treatment rather than cure.

Why study this course?

  • Develop a basic understanding of the safe use of aromatherapy oils and their production.
  • Learn about the different categories of oils, their characteristics, and the dangers associated with misuse of some.
  • Understand how oils are extracted and stored

 

What one of our Aromatherapy students said about the course:
"This course was very interesting, challenging and very worthwhile" N. Mills

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. Plant Identification
    • Importance of Correct Plant Identification
    • Plant Name Changes
    • Common Names
    • Scientific Names
    • Levels of Classification in Plant Taxonomic System
    • Plant Families
    • Pronunciation of Plant Names
    • Introduction to Chemistry of Herb Plants
    • Parts of a Compound; Biochemical Groups, Chemical Names
    • What is an Acid or Base
    • Alkaloids
    • Tannins
  2. Introduction to Aromatherapy
    • Origins of Aromatherapy
    • Top Notes, Middle Notes
    • Aromatherapy Consultations
    • Natural Chemicals in Plants
    • Saponins; Phenol glycosides; Anthro Glycosides; Flavonoids; Mustard Oils; Polysaccharides; Prussic Acid; Glycosides; Coumarin; Essential Minerals, etc
    • Resources
  3. Essential Oils
    • Introduction
    • Benzoin
    • Bergamot
    • Cedar Wood
    • Chamomile
    • Clary Sage
    • Eucalyptus
    • Frankincense
    • Geranium
    • Juniper
    • Lemon
    • Lavender
    • Marjoram
    • Orange
    • Peppermint
    • Rose Otto
    • Rosemary
    • Sandalwood
    • Tea Tree
    • Thyme
    • Ylang Ylang
    • Australian Bush Flower Remedies
  4. Safe Use of Essential Oils
    • How Essential Oils Work
    • Inhalation
    • Absorption
    • Quantities to Use: Recommended rate, oil type, smell
    • Blending Oils
    • Children
    • During Pregnancy
    • For Animals
  5. Carriers
    • Using Carriers
    • Sweet Almond Oil
    • Apricot Kernel Oil
    • Avocado Oil
    • Canola Oil
    • Burners
    • Inhalation
    • Spray, Basin, Hands, Bath
    • Carrier Oils, Creams and Lotions
  6. Growing and Harvesting Herbs for Essential Oil
    • Herb Cultivation
    • Harvesting different plant parts
    • Harvesting different types of Herbs
    • Expected Yeilds for Different Herbs
    • Harvesting for Essential Oils; Tea Tree, Lavender
    • Post Harvest Handling of Herbs; temperature, moisture loss, physical damage ethylene, pathogens
    • Post Harvest Preservation: Fresh, Modified Atmosphere Packaging
  7. Methods of Extraction
    • Introduction
    • Water Distillation
    • Steam Distillation
    • Maceration
    • Effleurage
    • Expression
    • Fixatives
    • Herbal Preparations
    • Preparing Teas, Rinses and Baths
    • Preparations using different herbs
    • Decoction
  8. Hazardous Herbs and Oils
    • Introduction
    • Carcinogens
    • Photosensitisers
    • Allergens
    • Hormone Like Affects
    • Teratogens
    • Cellular Respiratory Inhibitors
    • Cathartics
    • Abortifacients and Irritants
    • Alkaloids; types
    • Toxic Amino Acids
    • Glycosides
    • Terpenes
    • Plant Acids
    • Poly-ynes
    • Furanocoumarins
    • Proteins

What You Will Do

  • Undertake brief written report on what you understand about how plants are named
  • Give the scientific names of ten different plants from which essential oils are derived.
  • Give a brief summary of your knowledge of aromatherapy and essential oils.
  • Understand how herbs are promoted to the public in order to sell them.
  • Write an essay on the history of aromatherapy and essential oil use.
  • Suggest different blends that can be used for insomnia and other complaints
  • Suggest different blends that can be used for treating a head cold.
  • Discuss a range of oils that would be suitable for a travel kit
  • Understand the use of aromatherapy for children.- List a range of oils that would be considered safe to use for children.
  • Write a short essay on ways in which essential oils can be used.
  • Understand the use of essential oils on animals.
  • List a range of types of vegetable oils appropriate for use in massage and indicate what types of skin the oils are good for.
  • Explain how oils enter the body and how a carrier will assist with this entry.
  • Submit the bath oil blends from a Set Task along with instructions on how to use them in the bath and what conditions they are good for.
  • Understand why some herbs tend to be collected in the morning, some before flowering, some during flowering, and others at various times of the year. What impact does this have on the essential oil?
  • From catalogues collected, explain why some oils cost more others.
  • Discuss different methods of oil extraction and list their benefits and disadvantages.
  • Comprehend what is the difference between an essential oil and an aromatic oil
  • Compile a detailed costing for processing herb materials to produce essential oils.
  • List a range of essential oils that are not safe for use in aromatherapy.
  • Discuss how essential oils can be used safely and ways in which they should not be used.
  • Understand which essential oils may not be safe for use during pregnancy.

How Much Do You Know About Aromatherapy?

While the use of herbs for medicinal purposes has been around for as long as man has walked the earth, Aromatherapy, in its modern form, is relatively new.  Prior to the creation of synthetic medicines, doctors and laymen alike depended on the healing qualities of plants and their by-products for treating all types of wounds and illness.  Among these plant products where pure essential oils, extracted from leaves, flowers, stems and roots of specific types of plants. In the early 1900's the word Aromatherapy was coined by a French doctor by the name of Gattefosse.

Aromatherapy is a complementary treatment.  It is not meant to replace modern medicine and the many life saving advances that have been made over the years.  However, as people try to find more natural ways of dealing with illness, daily stresses and long term complaints, aromatherapy becomes a viable alternative to the use of synthetic medicines.

This course is aimed at the introductory level of education in aromatherapy.

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

 

 

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