Aromatherapy Education

Aromatherapy Training and Courses

A spa therapist squirts
aromatherapy oil on
her hand before beginning
an aromatherapy massage

If you have a passion for wellness and beauty, a career in aromatherapy might be a great direction for you. There are many ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your career. An aromatherapy education is a useful tool if you already are a licensed massage therapist or reflexologist. Or you can join the growing number of health care professionals who understand and use the stress-reducing and healing benefits of aromatherapy.

To get started, you need to find the right aromatherapy, massage or beauty school. Many schools offer massage, reflexology and other health and wellness certificates and degrees, including coursework, certificates and degrees in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy training combines several disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, chemistry, history and psychology.

Aromatherapy education usually involves various levels of training. Here is a sample list of courses from a basic aromatherapy training program:

History of aromatherapy

Ancient cultures such as Egypt, China, Persia, Greece and Rome used essential oils extracted from plants, flowers and fruits to heal and treat illness. This course discusses how the history of aromatherapy shaped the profession it is today.

Basics of essential oils

With thousands of oils used in aromatherapy, this course gives an overview of some of the most popular.

Production and quality of essential oils

To understand how essential oils work, it is necessary to learn about their origins and production. This course offers the basics of the different methods of creating essential oils, the tools of the trade.

Basic physiology

Some essential oils have a profound impact on the body and can be harmful if misused. In any aromatherapy education, it is necessary to understand the workings of the body so you can utilize oils correctly.

How oils interact with the body

Essential oils contain thousands of compounds that react with the body and the brain through their anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, sedative and immune-boosting properties. This course breaks down the characteristics of various oils and explains their affects on the body.

Aromachology and how scents interact with the brain

Aromachology is the study of the effects of scents on the brain. It is studied by both practicing and clinical aromatherapists, who research the role of essential oils in medical treatment. This course focuses on the psychological effects of scents on mood, brain function, stimulation and motivation.

Additional Aromatherapy Training Information

Higher levels of coursework that offer professional aromatherapy certification usually take about 200 hours, and include the following areas of study:

• in-depth coursework in chemistry
• complex blending and production techniques
• botany
• methods of application
• toxicology and safety
• basics of business development
• legal and ethical issues

These levels are designed for clinical aromatherapists and perfume aromatherapists, although the advanced aromatherapy education can be an asset to any practicing aromatherapist.

Choosing the Right Aromatherapy
School and Training Program for You

Hopefully the aromatherapy courses above help give you a better idea of what to expect in aromatherapy school. But before you can start your aromatherapy education, you should first decide which aromatherapy career path is right for you and your career ambitions.

Take the time to explore whether you want to specialize in aromatherapy counseling or if you'd prefer a spa aromatherapy position. Maybe you have an entrepreneurial spirit and would thrive in marketing your own aromatherapy product line. Learn more about the various aromatherapy career paths to find the best aromatherapeutic career niche for you.

Return to the Spa & Massage Career Center home page.

Looking for Spa and Massage Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools and program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.

Sources:
Nature's Gift Aromatherapy, 2008
WebRing, Inc, Aromatherapy at Home, 2006
PsychologyMajors.com, 2008.