Aromatherapy Schools and Careers Guide
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General Aromatherapy Information
- What is Aromatherapy?
- What is the history of Aromatherapy?
- What are the different types of Aromatherapy?
- How does Aromatherapy work?
- What is the difference between essential oils and hydrosols?
- Is there a difference between fragrances and essential oils? Is there a difference in the quality of Aromatherapy products available on the market?
Careers in Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy Laws and Licensure
Aromatherapy Prerequisites
Aromatherapy Tuition and Financial Aid
Aromatherapy Accreditation
Choosing an Aromatherapy School
- How do I know which school is best for me?
- How long does it take to learn Aromatherapy?
- What is the value of studying a specific course with a reputed practitioner or institution?
Answers provided by Janna Ignatow. Some answers also provided by the author of Educational and Career Opportunities in Alternative Medicine, Rosemary Jones.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the inhalation and bodily application of essential oils from aromatic plants to relax, balance, rejuvenate, restore or enhance body, mind and spirit. Pure essential oils are extracted from many parts of the plant including the flower, leaf, resin, bark, root, twig, seed, berry, rind and rhizome.
A basic principle of Aromatherapy is to strengthen the self-healing processes by indirect stimulation of the immune system. The depth of use of essential oils is quite wide, ranging from deep and penetrating therapeutic uses to the extreme subtlety of a unique fragrance.
Aromatherapy is considered by some to be an ancient yet timely and modern approach to total well being that is in tune with nature. Aromatherapists, armed with a technical understanding of an oil's constituents, artfully blend essential oils to produce new aromas.
The results of Aromatherapy are very individual. While there is general agreement about the actions of certain oils, Aromatherapy texts may vary in their descriptions of the properties and characteristics of an essential oil. In addition, no two people are affected by the same essential oil in exactly the same way. Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of day or mood.
What is the history of Aromatherapy?
The use of Aromatherapy actually predates written history. Combinations of resins, oils and fragrant plants were used in some form - for ceremonial, medicinal, or pleasurable reasons - in most ancient civilizations. Perfumes and aromatic plants were the basis for many of the early trade routes established among ancient civilizations. Some of the earliest documented uses of Aromatherapy were in Ancient Egypt. There, 3000-year-old papyruses have been discovered containing remedies for many types of illnesses; some of the methods of application are similar to the ones used in Aromatherapy today. The Ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants and their essential oils to create massage oils, medicines, embalming preparations, skin care products, fragrant perfumes and cosmetics. There are other written accounts of aromatic oil use in Ancient Africa, Mesopotamia, Greece, Babylon, and China. In fact, the Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine, written in 2697 BC, is the oldest surviving medical book in China; it contains information on more than 300 plants and their properties.
Greek and Roman civilizations later adopted the use of aromatic oils for both medicinal and cosmetic reasons. The Western world's standard medical reference for more than 1200 years was a book on herbals written by the Greek physician Pedacius Dioscorides. In fact, many of his remedies are still in use in modern Aromatherapy. Aromatics were used in early Rome, where massage with oil would often follow a typical bath. The Romans, who were also voracious explorers and conquerors, expanded trade routes to East India, Arabia, and beyond. This enabled them to add a wide variety of new aromatic products to their repertoire.
Other examples of ancient cultures using some form of Aromatherapy abound. Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, has been practiced for more than 3000 years and incorporates aromatic massage as one of its main aspects. Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans used aromatic plants and oils in ceremony and in daily life. The Aztecs specifically were well known for their plant remedies, and a wealth of medicinal plants was found in Montezuma's botanical gardens when the Spanish conquerors arrived. North American Indians also used aromatic oils, smudges, and aromatic plant-based remedies.
The modern term Aromatherapy was coined in 1928 by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. Decades later, another French medical doctor Jean Valnet, inspired by Gattefosse's research, published his own work in 1964, The Practice of Aromatherapy. In 1977, Robert Tisserand released his book The Art of Aromatherapy and was successful in capturing American interest in this ancient healing art. Through Valnet's, Tisserand's, and other scientists' work of the current era, the healing science of Aromatherapy has begun to be more widely known in the West.
Today in the West, the popularity of Aromatherapy as an alternative or complementary therapy is growing rapidly. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, the US Aromatherapy is over a $1 billion dollar business, and is expected to continue to grow over the next few years. Already, in areas of Europe it is common to find mainstream doctors who practice Aromatherapy and health insurance companies that reimburse for treatments.
What are the different types of Aromatherapy?
The different types of Aromatherapy are cosmetic, massage and olfactory. Regardless of which type of Aromatherapy you choose, essential oils should always be diluted in a carrier oil or water.
Cosmetic Aromatherapy combines essential oils with facial, skin, body and hair care products containing all natural ingredients.
Massage Aromatherapy combines the healing touch of massage therapy with the aromatic benefits of essential oils.
Olfactory Aromatherapy releases essential oils into the environment around you either by inhaling or diffusion. For inhalation, you can either dispense the essential oil into a handkerchief or spray a mixture of essential oils and distilled water into the air and breathe in. Diffusion is the evaporation of the aromatic components of an oil into the atmosphere using Aromatherapy equipment.
Several different devises are used to fill the air space of a room. Some use heat as a means of "evaporating" the essential oils; this spreads the essential oil vapor throughout the room. Candle diffusers and ceramic or brass rings placed on light bulbs are commonly used. Other diffusers consist of an electrical air pump and glass nebulizer, which micro-ionizes the volatile oil, thus allowing for the most efficient form of inhalation treatment.
How does Aromatherapy work?
When inhaled, essential oils affect our bodies in several ways. The essential oil component molecules enter the nasal passages where they stimulate the olfactory nerve. This sends messages directly into the limbic system. The limbic system, located in the brain, is the seat of memory, learning and emotion. The inhalation of the essential oils triggers changes within the limbic system which in turn can stimulate physiological responses within the body via the nervous, endocrine or immune systems. Either stimulation or sedation of body systems or organs may occur.
Certain essential oils may have certain effects. For example, due to their effect on the brain and the subsequent sedating or stimulating of the nervous system, essential oils can also indirectly raise and lower blood pressure and possibly aid in normalization of hormonal secretion. The inhalation method can be useful for respiratory symptoms. Local application of diluted oils on various points (i.e. spinal nerves, chakras, and meridians) is effective for certain conditions. Massage Aromatherapy provides relaxation as well as a physiological action through the nervous system. In addition, when applied topically, essential oils can exhibit anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, or anti-inflammatory properties. Although essential oils produce certain effects that can be counted on, they also adapt to the needs of different people.
What is the difference between essential oils and hydrosols?
The tools of Aromatherapy are essential oils and hydrosols. Essential oils, non-oily in texture, are obtained from plants by a process called distillation, where selected plant materials are heated with water (or steam, or both) in an enclosed still, so that their volatile components are released from the plant. The components vaporize and are then present in the steam. The steam/vapor then condenses back to a liquid state. Due to differences in density, the essential oil separates from the water. The separated water contains water-soluble essential oil components and is termed the hydrosol or hydrolate. The term essential oil also usually includes the group of mechanically pressed citrus oils.
Essential oils are the highly concentrated, volatile, aromatic essences of plants. Scientists agree that essential oils may perform more than one function in living plants. In some cases they seem to be a part of the plant's immune system. In other cases they may simply be end products of metabolism. Essential oils can contain hundreds of organic constituents, including hormones, vitamins and other natural elements that work on many levels. They are 75 to 100 times more concentrated than the oils in dried herbs.
Is there a difference between fragrances and essential oils? Is there a difference in the quality of Aromatherapy products available on the market?
Yes. True Aromatherapy is not simply the use of products containing fragrance. Only the highest quality of essential oils should be used in Aromatherapy. Pure essential oils from plants must not been adulterated with added natural or synthetic substances and must appear in the end product in quantities considered to be therapeutic. Hydrosols must be fresh and must be entirely made up of the water collected from the condenser after distillation.
Other products, such as essential oils added to distilled water using a synthetic mixing agent, are sold as flower waters and are not hydrosols. The majority of essential oils produced in the world market are used in food and fragrance; these essential oils are usually adulterated with chemicals and synthetics, as well as preservatives such as dipropylene glycol. Even many commercially available products that label themselves as Aromatherapy products are actually compounded synthetic fragrances. These fragrances may duplicate the smell of the pure botanical, but they do not have the complex chemical components of the oil as it is created in nature; it is these complex components that actually determine an oil's true aromatic benefits. While synthetic fragrance oils are not suitable for Aromatherapy, they can work well for use in crafts, potpourri, soap and perfume, as long as they do not promote Aromatherapeutic benefits. It is always wise to read the ingredients when choosing products labeled as "Aromatherapy" and to purchase only from a reputable Aromatherapy source.
What career opportunities exist for Aromatherapists?
As stated in the section above on accreditation, a Diploma or Certificate from an Aromatherapy school is not a national certification and is not a 'license to practice'. Therefore, it is very important not to present yourself as a physician when you begin to practice Aromatherapy.
Because of this, career opportunities after receiving an education in Aromatherapy (depending on your other skills) can be widely varied. Opportunities can include anything from Aromatherapeutic counseling, essential oil store management, and essential oil production and manufacture to staffing a custom blending bar in a Natural Foods store, participating in a Holistic Health Clinic, establishing an Aromatherapy consulting business, retailing essential oils, becoming an author, tutoring schools and interested groups, writing articles for newspapers and magazines, and of course taking better care of your own and loved ones' health. Many utilize their Aromatherapy education as an added component to enhance an existing natural or allopathic health care practice.
Often, trained Aromatherapists successfully incorporate their newly gained knowledge into their current professional health care practice. Many naturopaths, massage therapists, chiropractors, sports medicine therapists, energy healers, psychotherapists, aestheticians, ayurvedic clinicians, and practitioners of Chinese Medicine incorporate the use of essential oils into their healing art to enhance desired effects.
One resource that may be of assistance to newly-trained Aromatherapy certification recipients is a book entitled The Business of Aromatherapy: The Insider's Guide to Success by Katherine Graf. This book covers a variety of topics on the 'ins and outs' of starting your own Aromatherapy business from producing a business plan to advertising recommendations.
Although some do seek training in Aromatherapy to enhance their current profession and others simply to enjoy better personal health, Aromatherapy-specific career opportunities are growing as complementary medicine becomes a more widely accepted mode of health care. As mentioned in the history Q&A above, Aromatherapy is a growing industry in the U.S., and there are opportunities available for well-trained, dedicated people. Many schools offer to assist you in finding a place to practice your unique skills after completion of their coursework. A career in Aromatherapy may be for you if you want to practice a subtle, ancient art that can help you educate or heal others through natural methods. A professional approach to your practice is gained from the training you will have received, and with time and experience, your craft and your career will develop.
What laws apply to the practice of aromatherapy?
At this time, there's no specific regulation of Aromatherapists or Aromatherapy. Many practitioners incorporate it into their practice, such as massage therapy, and the laws governing that practice are the ones that apply. An Aromatherapist with no other medical training or license generally works as a counselor or teacher and should follow whatever regulations apply to that profession in their area.
What are the prerequisites for an Aromatherapy training program?
The majority of programs are night or weekend seminars and anyone can attend. A few programs are designed specifically for medical practitioners. These generally require the student to either be enrolled in an appropriate college or to already have a degree/license in their area. These professional Aromatherapy seminars range from courses designed for massage therapists to courses designed for medical doctors.
How much does Aromatherapy training cost?
Programs average about $500, but may vary from region to region.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid for aromatherapy training is available through Sallie Mae and TERI at some schools.
What is the current situation with Aromatherapy accreditation in the United States?
Currently, there is no official form of Aromatherapy accreditation in the U.S. Among professionals in the trade, certainly schools and practitioners who maintain high levels of quality are more widely reputed. Neither Aromatherapy nor essential oils are regulated by any governmental body. Although there is no official accreditation, many schools may offer a diploma or certificate which shows successful completion of their coursework.
Aromatherapy is currently governed by several associations: The Educational Standards in Aromatherapy Association in conjunction with the Natural Oils Research Association (NORA); The American Alliance of Aromatherapy; and The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA). Generally schools and practitioners affiliate with one of these associations. Each of these associations is presently attempting to set educational, certification and accreditation standards in the United States for Aromatherapy education. The accreditation goals of these organizations include ensuring compliance with educational standards through an examination process, ensuring ethical considerations are upheld across the community, and upholding other professional requirements to obtain and keep certification as an Aromatherapist. These organizations, of course, have many other functions besides the coordination of educational standards. These functions include serving as a focal and meeting point for members of the professional Aromatherapy community, creating guidelines for the safe use of oils, and serving to improve public awareness of Aromatherapy throughout the U.S.
How do I know which school is best for me? How much does it cost?
It is really up to you, the student, to choose the school that you feel most comfortable with and to determine whose educational philosophies most attract you. Different schools may focus on different elements of Aromatherapy, and some schools may focus on the study of Aromatherapy in conjunction with other natural health and/or allopathic health disciplines. It is for this reason that it is highly recommended to obtain in depth information about the focus, philosophy, and coursework of various Aromatherapy schools. A perspective student may also contact any of the professional Aromatherapy associations listed above for information on various practitioners and schools.
Many schools offer on-site programs, as well as correspondence programs.
How long does it take to learn Aromatherapy?
Since there is currently no official accreditation, the length of coursework varies quite widely from several dozen to several hundred hours to receive a school's individual certification.
Different people will certainly progress at different rates when learning Aromatherapy. An Aromatherapist who has been practicing for 10 years may feel knowledgeable in only 60 essential oils. It may take a year or more of practice to really get to know 10 essential oils intimately. Others may progress more rapidly. More may not be better in exposure to the numerous essential oils. Like many of the healing arts, it is suggested that you place emphasis on getting to know your key tools before venturing on to others.
Basic levels of instruction may allow you to safely and effectively use essential oils to enhance your quality of life, to enhance the quality of your other caregiving practices, or for home use. Basic levels of instruction may answer such questions as:
- What is Aromatherapy?
- What are essential oils?
- How do they work on the body and the mind?
- How can I safely use them?
More advanced levels of study are for those who may want to have a private consultation practice, to work in a clinic, or to combine more in-depth Aromatherapy knowledge into their other natural health and/or allopathic health care practices.
Advanced levels of study may allow you to delve into areas such as production of oils, oil chemistry, advanced knowledge of effects of oils on the body and mind, understanding of the link to memory, mood and emotion, advanced treatment methods and applications, the science of blending oils, safety and toxicity information, and additional bio-specificities of various oils and their medicinal and traditional uses.
What is the value of studying a specific course with a reputed practitioner or institution?
It is very important to have a comprehensive knowledge of Aromatherapy before beginning your practice for both safety and quality reasons.
Education and experience are key when applying essential oils for particular medicinal results. While Aromatherapy may be considered a simple home remedy to some, it is in fact both a specific science and a complex art. Essential oils consist of mixtures of complex chemical components. Many of these compounds have powerful healing capacities when appropriately applied, but some can be harmful. Safety data is mandatory knowledge for anyone using essential oils on the skin, as many are can be irritating or sensitizing as well as photo-toxic. In fact, using excessively high doses of essential oils in a bath could result in skin rash and other allergic responses, lethargy, and possible liver and central nervous system damage. When is your goal is to heal, having as much and as thorough of an education as possible is definitely in your, and your client's, best interest.
A well-trained and well-educated Aromatherapist works with a client to develop a blend of oils that will best suit the client's needs. The essential oils chosen may work well together aesthetically or may address a particular complaint. For example, to address muscle pain effectively, it is necessary to create a blend of essential oils that will relieve the tension of the muscle and will also act upon the client mentally and emotionally to address the underlying cause of the muscle tension. This is the "synergy" of blending oils. Creating these synergies to most effectively practice the art of Aromatherapy requires the knowledge, awareness, and practice that can be acquired most effectively through extensive study with trained professionals.
Where can I get training?
- Arizona
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts - Tempe
- California
- Hands on Healing Institute - Pasadena (Tujunga)
- World School of Massage & Holistic Healing Arts - Pleasanton
- World School of Massage & Holistic Healing Arts - San Francisco
- Canada - British Columbia
- Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy - Vernon
- Canada - Ontario
- Ancient Journeys School of New Medicine - Virgil
- Colorado
- Heritage College - Denver - Denver
- Connecticut
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Groton
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Newington
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Westport
- Florida
- Heritage Institute - Fort Myers - Fort Myers
- Heritage Institute - Jacksonville - Jacksonville
- Academy of Palm Beach - Lake Worth (Palm Beach County)
- Georgia
- Atlanta School of Massage - Atlanta
- Indiana
- Kaplan College - Hammond
- Kaplan College - Merrillville - Merrillville
- Kansas
- Heritage College - Kansas City - Training in Kansas City, MO
- Heritage College - Wichita - Wichita
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Training in Newington, CT
- Michigan
- Irene's Myomassology Institute - Southfield
- Missouri
- Heritage College - Kansas City - Kansas City
- New York
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - NY - Ithaca
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Training in Westport, CT
- Oklahoma
- Heritage College - Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City
- Oregon
- Oregon School of Massage - Portland - Portland
- Everest College - Portland - Portland Area
- Oregon School of Massage - Salem - Salem
- Everest Institute - Tigard - Tigard (Portland)
- Pennsylvania
- Massage Academy of the Poconos - Bartonsville/Stroudsburg/Poconos
- Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork - Lancaster
- Mt. Nittany Institute of Natural Health - State College
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - NY - Training in Ithaca, NY
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Training in Groton, CT
- Utah
- School of Natural Healing - Springville
- Virginia
- Heritage Institute - Manassas - Manassas
- Washington
- Everest Institute - Fife - Fife
- Everest College - Seattle - Seattle
- Everest College - Vancouver - Vancouver
- Oregon School of Massage - Portland - Training in Portland, OR
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