Shirley Price Aromatherapy Diploma - theory of Aromatherapy

Theory of Aromatherapy

Outline of Syllabus Contents
1. History and development of the use of plants and their essences. This will
involve study from the development of human kind, earliest records both written
and others including religious references, Egyptian/Greek/Roman /Arabic
records, and ancient Chinese/Indian text. Middle Ages - Avicenna and the
spread of knowledge plus the work of leading herbalists (Culpeper, Gerard etc.)
The development of allopathic and naturopathic medicine and the role of
aromatherapy within this context especially the development of aromatherapy in
during the last 100 years including the work of Maurice Gattefossé, Dr. Jean
Valnet and Madame Maury and others. Modern research in the fields of
aromatherapy, perfume, and smell should be integrated into the developing uses
and practice of the profession and its increasing use and popularity as a holistic
and complementary therapy. This should be related to the need for regulation of
the profession and the introduction of National Occupational Standards.
2. A holistic approach to Aromatherapy - The role and use of aromatherapy as part
of a holistic lifestyle should be explored as well as its potential, through treating
the whole person, of addressing the subtle energy and changes, which can affect
wellbeing. The time and care with which the aromatherapist’s consultation and
treatment plan defines, treats and meets the needs of the individual and reduces
the necessity for conventional treatments, both outside and within the healthcare
environment, should be explored.
3. Basic Botanical & Chemical Principles - Students will study the taxonomy,
nomenclature, structure and function of plants in relation to the production of
both essences & carrier oils; the definition of the atom, molecule, organic and
inorganic compounds. Also the definition and recognition of the significant
chemical constituents found in essences (terpenes, alcohols, phenols,
aldehydes, ketones, oxides, esters and ethers). Students will explore
chemotyping, biosynthesis and understanding of oxidation, hydrolysis and
essential oil production as well as the causes and avoidance of degradation and
spoilage.
4. Therapeutic properties of essences and safety considerations - this includes the
essence profile of botanical and plant family name, common name, country of
origin, method of extraction, main chemical constituents, therapeutic properties
Updated May 2009 CP 18
to assist with conditions; contraindications specific to each essence; potential
toxicology of essences, contraindications and safety precautions; prescriptive
advice, sourcing and storage. The requirements of the Aromatherapy Trade
Council (ATC) for responsible marketing of essences including labeling
requirements should also be addressed.
5. Carrier Media: plant oils, hydrolats, water, creams and gels - Methods of
production of carrier oils including their chemical composition, sourcing and
storage requirements.
6. Blending essences - Detailed study of the reasons for selected specific
essences, selection of appropriate carrier mediums, techniques of blending,
percentage calculations for dilution specific to client’s needs. You will study the
legal considerations including the General Product Safety Regulations,
Cosmetic Product Safety Regulations and Medicines & Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (Department of Health) requirements.
B. Essences, carrier oils and other media are faithfully reproduced from the NOS.
These are the minimum oils which should be included although course providers
are recommended to expand this range at least to include common chemotypes
where relevant
ESSENCES FOR AROMATHERAPY
(reproduced from the NOS)
Plant Family Common Name Botanical Name Part of
Plant used
LAMIACEAE
(LABIATAE)
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Mill. flowers
Lavandin Lavandula x intermedia Emeric
ex Loisel
flowers
Lavender, spike Lavandula latifolia Medik. flowers
Clary sage Salvia sclarea L. herb
Marjoram Origanum majorana L. herb
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis L. herb
Thyme Thymus vulgaris L. herb
Peppermint Mentha x piperita L. herb
Basil Ocimum basilicum L. herb
Patchouli Pogostemon cablin Benth. leaves
RUTACEAE Neroli Citrus aurantium L. flowers
Petitgrain Citrus aurantium L. leaves
Orange, bitter Citrus aurantium L. fruit
Orange, sweet Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck fruit
Updated May 2009 CP 19
Bergamot Citrus bergamia Risso. fruit
Lemon Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fruit
Mandarin Citrus nobilis Lour. fruit
Grapefruit Citrus paradisi Macfad. fruit
ASTERACEAE
(COMPOSITAE)
Chamomile,
Roman
Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. flowers
Chamomile,
German
Matricaria recutita L. flowers
MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus Labill leaves
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus citriodora Hook leaves
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus dives Schauer leaves
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus smithii R.T. Baker leaves
Tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel leaves
GERANIACEAE Geranium Pelargonium graveolens L’Her.
leaves
PIPERACEAE Pepper, black Piper nigrum L. fruit
APIACEAE
(UMBELLIFERAE)
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Mill. fruit
ROSACEAE Rose, damask Rosa damascena Mill. flowers
Rose, cabbage Rosa x centifolia L. flowers
OLEACEAE Jasmine Jasminum grandiflorum L. flowers
ANNONACEAE Ylang-ylang Cananga odorata (Lam.)
Hook.f. & Thoms.
flowers
SANTALACEAE Sandalwood Santalum album L.
Santalum spicatum (R.Br.)
A.DC.)
wood
BURSERACEAE Frankincense Boswellia sacra Flueck. resin
Myrrh Commiphora myrrha Engl. resin
STYRACACEAE Benzoin Styrax benzoin Dryand. balsam
ZINGIBERACEAE Ginger Zingiber officinale Rosc. rhizome
POACEAE
(GRAMINAE)
Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus Stapf. grass
Vetivert Vetiveria zizanioides Nash ex
Small
roots
Updated May 2009 CP 20
PINACEAE Cedarwood, Atlas Cedrus atlantica Manetti wood
CUPRESSACEAE Cypress Cupressus sempervirens L. twigs
Juniper Juniperus communis L. berry
Fixed /Carrier Oils (reproduced from the NOS)
18 FIXED OILS FOR AROMATHERAPY
ROSACEAE
Almond Prunus communis L.
Apricot kernel Prunus armeniaca L.
Perah kernel Prunus vulgaris Mill.
FABACEAE (LEGUMINOSAE)
Soya Glycine max Merr.
Peanut Arachis hypogaea L.
ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE)
Sunflower Helianthus annuus L.
VITACEAE
Grapeseed Vitis vinifera L.
OLEACEAE
Olive Olea europaea L.
LAURACEAE
Avocado Persea americana Mill.
PEDALIACEAE
Sesame Sesamum indicum L.
LINACEAE
Linseed Linum usitatissimum L.
CORYLACEAE
Hazel Corylus avellana L.
JUGLANDACEAE
Walnut Juglans regia L.
PROTEACEAE
Macadamia Macadamia ternifolia F. Muell.
ARECACEAE
Coconut Cocos nucifera L.
Formatted: English (U.K.)
Updated May 2009 CP 21
ONAGRACEAE
Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis L.
POACEAE (GRAMINAE)
Wheatgerm Triticum vulgare Vill.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Castor Ricinus communis L.
LIQUID WAX
SIMMONDSIACEAE
Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis Schneid.
Other Media
Creams, lotions, gels, water, air, clay, shea butter