The course Introduction to Aromatherapy has been designed for health care practitioners, nurses, massage therapists, estheticians and individuals interested in furthering their knowledge and application of aromatherapy. The course will be taught April 13, 2013, in Newington, Connnecticut; June 9, 2013, in Westport, Connecticut; and Sept. 15, 2013, in Groton, Connecticut.
Throughout the eight-hour program, students will learn:
- What essential oils are, how they are extracted and the importance of utilizing genuine authentic essential oils in practice
- The therapeutic actions and benefits of at least 14 essential oils will be covered in depth
- Basic blending techniques will support your ability to begin utilizing aromatherapy
- We will end the session by designing and making a therapeutic blend that can be used for massage for a physical problem and a body spritzer for an emotional problem.
The curriculum is divided into two parts.
Part 1 (four hours)
- Introductions
- Introduction to Aromatherapy
- From plant to Essential Oil
- Safety Consideration
- Pathways into the Body: Olfaction and Skin
- Basic Blending Techniques
- Aroma and the Mind
- Basic Chemistry of Essential Oils
Part II (four hours)
- Aromatherapy and Massage
- Stress Relief First Aid
- Meditation
- Sports Relief
- Love/Romance Massage
- Colds Flu First Aid
- Women’s Health
In addition:
- Four to eight case studies will be discussed
- Throughout the course, students will participate in sensory experiments of several essential oils on each topic. Following will be a discussion of each oil and blends.
- Participants will conduct a hand self-massage with essential oils.
- Participants will experience a foot massage with essential oils with a fellow student.
- Review of specific essential oils useful in massage treatment
- Experiential work blending a massage oil with essential oils
- Basic blending techniques and making perfume or body sprizter
At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:
1. Define the term aromatherapy and identify as least three potential benefits of integrating aromatherapy into health care treatment, such as massage, nurse and psychotherapy practices.
2. Define the term essential oil and discuss the importance of utilizing genuine and authentic essential oils in practice.
3. Describe how essential oils are extracted from plants.
4. Describe potential dermal reactions and apply knowledge of safety information when using essential oils.
5. List seven potential therapeutic benefits of applying essential oils to the skin.
6. Discuss the basics of olfaction and list potential benefits for olfactory aromatherapy.
7. List and describe various methods of application.
8. List and describe the therapeutic benefits of at least 14 essential oils.
9. List, describe and utilize two approaches to blending.
10. Design and make a basic therapeutic blend for massage and perfume or spritzer for treating an emotional or physical problem.
No prerequisite required. CEUs are available for massage therapists. Contact Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy for registration and additional information. Or, contact Jacqueline Bloom at (203) 227-7999 or Jacq1616@aol.com.