Aromatherapy is becoming a diverse and broadly valued profession. A health professional with aromatherapy training can work in a range of settings, from private practice to aromatherapy massage to research.
Many people practicing aromatherapy are also licensed in another profession, and in most states, this is required. For instance, a massage therapist can receive aromatherapy training and incorporate it into his or her practice, adding to the range of services offered. As the health and beauty industry grow, and as more people look to the natural healing and spa arts as a way to feel healthy, relieve stress and feel more beautiful, aromatherapy is an essential addition to any health professional's skill set.
Range of Aromatherapy Career Options
Clinical Aromatherapy
Clinical Aromatherapy, according to Dr. R.J. Buckle, author of Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice, is the "controlled use of essential oils for specific outcomes that are measurable." Dr. Buckle has compiled in-depth, peer-reviewed information on treating both psychological and physiological ailments, including infection, insomnia, chronic pain, nausea and stress. Health professionals in many clinical specialties such as cardiology, critical care, dermatology, endocrinology and oncology are finding uses for essential oils to treat specific problems, as well as increase comfort and reduce stress in their patients. Because of the growing research in this area, medical doctors are increasingly adding aromatherapy to their bag of medical tools.
Aromatherapy training is becoming more popular, but many other natural healing professionals have known its benefits for decades. Other careers in aromatherapy focus on counseling and consulting, home or private aromatherapy and aromatherapy massage. Although many of these practitioners work in spas and salons, fans of aromatherapy feel that a treatment with essential oils reduces stress and maintains good health and wellness.
Aromatherapy Counselors – Although aromatherapy counseling has been around for thousands of years in the form of Eastern medicine, Shaman healing and early natural healing arts, it has just begun to become recognized in today's wellness-focused society. People well versed in essential oils and scented plant compounds are able to alter patient mood and health to promote emotional well being by using specific aromatherapy techniques. This form of aromatherapy is also called aromachology, or the study of effects of scents on the human brain.
Some spa and holistic businesses also hire aromatherapy counselors and specialists to buy effective products and educate their customers. Since aromatherapy can be used for skincare or to affect emotions as well as for holistic healing and medicinal purposes, an education aromatherapist counselor and specialist can be a huge asset to a spa, natural health or holistic grocery store.
Home or Private Aromatherapy Businesses – Many aromatherapists are also entrepreneurs, and they have successfully started their own aromatherapy or aromatherapy massage businesses out of their own homes or in a private retail settings. Here are some common aromatherapy entrepreneur business trades and ideas for the savvy, business-minded aromatherapists:
- Create and sell your own aromatherapy products.
- Create your own aromatherapy site to either sell your own products or recommend other products for a commission.
- Sell aromatherapy products wholesale.
- Sell information books related to aromatherapy.
- Teach others how to make aromatherapy products.
- Sell aromatherapy products at your massage business.
- Sell a niche market aromatherapy product, such as pet aromatherapy or couple aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy in Massage and Reflexology
Massage and reflexology practitioners are finding that aromatherapy is an increasingly important part of their practices. The use of essential oils helps to calm and reduce stress for clients, making the work of massaging muscles, feet and hands easier and more effective. Adding aromatherapy training to a massage or reflexology practice can increase your income and client base, drawing those who are looking for a more satisfying massage experience.
Perfume Aromatherapy
Another direction you may pursue with aromatherapy training is the perfume industry. The explosion in natural scents has created a demand for aromatherapy professionals, and many have started their own natural scent aromatherapy businesses. Some stores carry essential oils and will blend different combinations of oils to create individual perfumes for customers.
Whatever direction you choose, a career in aromatherapy is a great way to enhance an existing natural health care practice, begin a new chapter in your natural health education, and join other health and beauty professionals in the exciting, ever-changing world of aromatherapy.
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Sources:
Nature's Gift Aromatherapy, 2008
WebRing, Inc, Aromatherapy at Home, 2006
PsychologyMajors.com, 2008.
