Aromatherapy is the term given to therapeutic treatments utilizing essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from plant material, mostly by steam distillation, and are extremely concentrated essences. Essential oils are used for many different reasons and in a number of different ways. They can truly address the needs of the body, mind and spirit.
They can be used to help with emotional challengers such as lack of self esteem or they can be used for more physical and mental problems such as stress, muscle achesand pains, headaches, depression, coldsand flu etc. Aromatics have a long history of being used in religious or spiritual practices and today essential oils can be utilized to access the spiritual side of our nature.
They can be diffused while meditating or praying.
They can be used in a diffuser to create just the right mood or atmosphere or to clear a stuffy nose.
They can be added to personal products such as soaps, body lotions and creams for skin care and personal hygiene.
They can be used in baths, compresses or massage oils to enhance many different aspects of life.
Aromatherapy is a very versatile therapy and lends itself to integration with many different professions. Some of the career options available to an aromatherapist include:
The Aromatherapist Custom Blender is someone who will offer his or her clients customized essential oil blends to deal with mental, emotional, physical and spiritual issues. This may be combined with another therapy or modality i.e. massage therapy, esthetician, other bodywork, energywork, counseling etc.
The Aromatherapy Craftsperson is someone who creates hand-crafted aromatic goods for resale. This can include soaps, jewelry, natural potpourri, blended oils, and toiletries, as well as anything else the imagination may have to offer.
The Environmental Fragrancing Specialist is someone who will blend appropriate essential oils together to effectively create a blend that will combine a pleasant fragrance with antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal type properties, depending on where the blend is to be used. Private homes, schools, hospitals, offices, dental offices and restaurants are examples of places that may require this sort of service.
The Essential Oil Wholesale Distributor is someone who sells essential oils, diffusers, carrier oils etc. to stores and practitioners who will then resell the products to consumers.
The Essential Oil Retailer is someone who is selling essential oils etc to the public. This could be done through a store, an Internet site, a holistic show or fair, home parties, catalogue sales etc.
The Spa Owner is someone who may employ massage therapists, bodyworkes, fitness trainers and nutritionists to create a rejuvenating experience for their clients. They may use aromatic treatments via massage, compresses, bodywraps, environmental fragrancing and bathing to create a relaxing oasis where clients can escape the pressures of daily life. Often the aromatic products used in the spa will be sold to clients for home use.
Aromatherapy Writers who write about the subject of aromatherapy. This may include articles written in Magazines, Newsletters and books. Of course this could also loosely include Publishers of those Magazines, Newsletters and Books.
The West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy offers two aromatherapy home study courses:
Aromatherapy 101 is designed for anyone and everyone who has an interest in using essential oils safely and effectively. Once you have completed Aromatherapy 101 you will be able to effectively use Aromatherapy and the essential oils (20) covered in this course for yourself and family. This course could also prepare you to work in the Aromatherapy Industry. Examples of career opportunities include working in retail outlets selling essential oils as well as product formulation and blending. This course starts at the beginning and gives you everything you need to know to safely and effectively use essential oils every day.
Aromatherapy 201 builds on the knowledge already gained in Aromatherapy 101. Additional essential oils (35) are covered in this course, as well as Anatomy and Physiology, client interaction and business startup. Completing Aromatherapy 101 and Aromatherapy 201 will give the student all the necessary tools to practice Aromatherapy in a professional setting. Examples of career opportunities see above.
As both our courses are home study courses the length of time taken to complete each course varies depending on the time the student has available. What we have found is that students take on average, four months to complete Aromatherapy 101 and six months to complete Aromatherapy 201. For more details on the courses visit our website http://www.westcoastaromatherapy.com.
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