Aromatherapy Diploma Module one, distance learning or classroom topics

The History of Aromatherapy

Aims of Aromatherapy

The Importance of Touch

Aromatherapy Massage & How it Works

Benefits & Principles of Massage

Essential Oils & how they may be used

Essential Oil Profiles

Therapeutic Qualities of Essential Oils & Safety Precautions

Purity of Essential Oils

Storage of Essential Oils

Recipes

Health & Safety

Methods of Extraction

Contra-indications

First Aid

Aromatherapy Evenings

Skin-types & Skin-structure and the Lymphatic System

Professional Bodies

Codes of Practice & Codes of Ethics

On completion, following successfully answering the test-questions and submitting 12 case-studies, 5 essays Students can proceed to Module 2.

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Jekka's aromatherapy garden

For their culinary uses, Jekka lists p274, with their properties

Sweet basil, Ocimum Basilicum, Concentration
Bergamot. Monarda Fistula, Uplifting (The Italian Orange Citrus bergamia used for the oil)
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) Relaxing
Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, Anti toxic
Rose Geranium. Pelargonium graveolens, Relaxing
Hyssop, hyssopus officinalis, sedative
Juniper, Juniperus communis, Stimulant
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, Anti-depressant
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, Invigorating
Sweet Marjoram, Origanum Majoriana, Calming
Thyme, Thymus vulgaris, Stimulant

of the commonly studied oils you can also include in the garden

Sage
Peppermint
Clary Sage
and Lavender

leaving the woody, gums and the floral,

Sandalwood
Orange sweet
Patchouli
Pettigrain
Frankincense
Myrhh
Cedarwood
Cypress
Eucalyptus
Juniperberry
Lemon

and the florals
Jasmine
Neroli
Rose

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Jekkas Organic Herb Farm - culinery, medicinal aromatic herbs

Jekka MacVicar is to aromatic herbs what David Austens name is to English Roses and Shirley Price Aromatherapy's name is to essential oils and their use.


Jekka McVicar

Published in 2009 in paperback this is a very useful book for students. The organisation of the book is so helpful. Since 1992 Jekka MacVicar has been awarded over 60 gold medals for herb exhibits at Royal Horticultural Society Flower shows.

If I may quote from P274 The Aromatherapy Herb Garden

"One of the things I enjoy about growing herbs is the scent.  Aroma is very evocative and aromatherapy is growing in importance today.  The garden has been designed not to create ones own oils which is a very complex process but to have those aromas around that help our everyday lives, and to make an attractive garden, as the plants all have useful qualities apart from their aroma.  The sweet marjoram, basil, thyme, fennel and rosemary are excellent culinary herbs.  The chamomile and lemon balm make good herbal teasto help one relax."  "I include a list of the herbs in the garden with the properties of the essential oil."

Sweet basil, Ocimum Basilicum, Concentration
Bergamot. Monarda Fistula, Uplifting  (The Italian Orange Citrus bergamia used for the oil)
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) Relaxing
Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, Anti toxic
Rose Geranium. Pelargonium graveolens, Relaxing
Hyssop, hyssopus officinalis, sedative
Juniper, Juniperus communis, Stimulant
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, Anti-depressant
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, Invigorating
Sweet Marjoram, Origanum Majoriana, Calming
Thyme, Thymus vulgaris, Stimulant
http://www.jekkasherbfarm.com/contact.asp

Directions to Shirley Price Aromatherapy


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ShirleyPrice.co.uk

The online shop.  UK based FHT, IFPA, IFA students and members can use their coupon code to get 50% discount from our Retail Prices.

www.ShirleyPrice.co.uk

easy link to order products

Overseas customers kindly see our distributors and correspondent schools worldwide

www.ShirleyPriceAromatherapy.com

Thankyou for your purchases which support the Shirley Price International College of Aromatherapy.

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Pranarom.tv

http://www.mon-aromatherapie.com/produits-pranarom/pranarom-tv-le-meilleur-de-laromatherapie-en-videos

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Reflexology

The foot consists of 26 bones, 56 ligaments and 33 joints and one sole. A practitioner of reflexology believes each organ in the body is connected to a specific reflex point on each foot through an intermediary of 300 nerves. By a manipulation of these points, vital functions can be stimulated, toxins eliminated, blood circulation improved and nerves soothed. 


There is much interest in the study of chi or the way energy flows through the body and the body's electromagnetic field.  This has long been harnessed by martial arts practicioners to do demonstrations like blow out candles and by traditional healers to remove energy flow blockages. The ability to generate and control chi release is thought to be gained through meditation.  Among scientists energy is thought to be described by mechanical models allowing a mathematical description.  Research goes on.

In China, the earliest known documentation of reflexology dates back to the fourth century BC, when it was practiced in conjunction with acupuncture by a doctor name Wang Wei. Foot reflexology is again being recognized both in China and abroad as an extremely useful technique.  Keep those feet clean.


I am in Beijing from 5-13 June and heading out to see the farmers.  I will be enduring much agonising chinese massage in the name of research! 

Jasmine Flowers in Egypt


Footcare generally
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists www.feetforlife.org

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Whats is an aromatherapy spa?

Modern spas come in many varieties and offer far more than a simple bath in a hot spring, but all tend to focus on enhancing our overall well-being with services that encourage the renewal of our minds, bodies and spirit. Here are some common types found in Beijing that may suit to your needs:

Club Spa—A spa whose primary purpose is physical fitness. They usually offer a full gym, equipment and coaches on a daily basis.

Day Spa—Usually in the city, you can drop into a day spa for a few minutes or a few hours to get professionally administered spa services.

Destination Spa—A place to go to for an extended time, with emphasis on developing healthy habits via comprehensive programmes, including spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education and education in wholesome foods. Various activities such as hiking, sight-seeing and recreational sports are sometimes offered.

Medical Spa—Licensed health-care professionals are available all the time at a medical spa facility offering comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment that integrates spa services with traditional, complementary or alternative therapies.

Resort Spa—Resort spas are usually owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menus.

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Massage therapy in Beijing - what are the differences?

Chinese Massage

Chinese massage (中式按摩 – zhōng shì àn mó) relies much more on a style of massage called tuī ná (推拿), which involves the extensive use of pressure points.
This can be quite painful, along with the extensive kneading that is used. Practitioners of Chinese massage, especially the tuī ná variety, believe it to have strong healing properties.

Thai Massage

Thai massage (泰式按摩 – tài shì àn mó) is a much more relaxing kind of massage. It involves much more rubbing and pressing instead of kneading, as well as interesting stretching techniques.
While both Chinese and Thai massage will leave the person being massaged much more relaxed and comfortable, the Thai massage is less painful and even more soothing. A good massage will leave you in a sleep like state. 

Aromatic plant oils in China

China is an important source of aromatic plant oils.  Around 2000 BC a medical book the 'Yellow Emperors Book of Internal Medicine was written by Emperor Kiwang Ti of China.  It provides the earliest known records of many essential oils.

Shirley Price Aromatherapy Massage

The use of essential oils in massage by western aromatherapists owes much to study of ancient texts and medical curiosity.  The question is why do doctors remain healthy when many of their patients are ill?  How does the psychology of the mind affect wellness?

Aromatherapy massage combines gentle superficial massage strokes with plant oils like lavender and blends of oils usually containing lavender oil to create a state of deep relaxation. Training is quickly acquired and is popular among nurses and midwives and among those caring for the elderly and ill.  Age and medication can compromise immune systems and plant oils can be used to assist. The effect of fragrance on the limbic areas of the brain attracts much research. Trained practicioners can also use this research to blend essential oil components to address specific non medical issues particularly emotional issues and disrupted sleep patterns.  Plant oils have long had a place in beauty and skin treatments in the salons to normalise skin.  Floral oils like Rose, Jasmine, Neroli and Gardenia are highly prized and expensive.  If you are ill or need healing then see a doctor or priest!  Aromatherapy Massage is offered by a number of spas in Beijing.

Accredited therapists study anatomy and physiology and attend 250 hours of taught training in aromatherapy, massage therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy skincare. 450 hours of case studies and work experience and self directed study are required.  An external examiner tests theory and practice.  On completion of this training which is the equivalent of an NVQ Level 4/5 qualification students are eligible to join professional trade bodies like IFPA, IFA and the FHT and their own national aromatherapy organisations worldwide.  Local schools can be found on the websites of these organisations. Many like our own school attend regular schools meetings and in open forum share best practice and blog enthusiastically to promote an open and informed scientific aromatherapy community.  Such meetings are also a good opportunity for organised CPD from leading international practicioners.  Similar level training in the USA can be found at the Aromahead Institute.  Shirley Price Aromatherapy is exploring ways to bring this training to China.  Equivalent level training in Asia can be found as the Issamay Institute in Singapore/Malaysia.

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Workshops - Creamy Craft of Cometic Making Hinckley 15/16 May Tutor Jan Benham

Soaps, Creams, Lotions, Lip Balm professionally made with natural products

I trained with Shirley Price - Aromatherapy Diploma students

 Emi Tokai - Read her Blog A Japanese in England 2011 Students Chou and Wisteria with George Brealey Technical Manager

The training room at 8 Hawley Road, Hinckley UK

The Factory Training rooms at 8 Hawley Road, Hinckley UK

Training Dates Update

Aromatherapy Diploma and Workshops

Next Module One May 2011 £300, Module 2 June, £450, Module 3 July, £450

Module 4 and examination August, £450

Workhops

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Beauty UK

Free tickets

And so to Birmingham.................

Stands A10 (Products)  and Stand C16 (Training).

Jan Benham, Principal Tutor is giving a live demonstration of cosmetic making at 10.45 Monday

SHOW REVIEW

Hi all thankyou for making this the most successful show ever.  Visitors and volumes were double last year and even with 6 of us on the stands we were flat out.

Jan Benham, Principal tutor at Shirley Price Aromatherapy kindly manned the stand promoting Aromatherapy training and gave a live demonstration of cosmetic making.  Making your own natural cosmetics safely is very doable with a few simple ingredients.

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white gardenia petals

Polo Dreams 2011












Polo Dreams Royal Wedding 2011 is a natural perfume from Shirley Price Professional Aromatherapy to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Catherine Middleton and HRH Prince William.  Gardenia has always been a favourite english fragrance.  Garden ... Gardenia the clue is in the word.  Mixed with ylang ylang, 'lilly of the valley' in an evening primrose base this can be worn as a perfume or as a facial and scalp massage not only by those on their wedding day. 

The aroma of Gardenia absolute resembles a blend of neroli, jasmine and tuberose. 
 
Lily of the valley flowers are quite toxic! However the fragrance is important.  Very important.  An aldehyde Bourgeonal excites sperm. It is possible to evoke this scent without synthetics with citrus, Bergamot, Citronella and a floral (sweet indian jasmine, moroccan neroli, or bulgarian rose absolute or to suit) with the lavender and a very very small touch of vetiver.  I use cistus as the fixative.  The only nod to synthetics in a Muguet/Lily of the Valley blend is the use of hydroxy citronellal which can form upto 50% of this component on the blend though a tiny part of the total blend.  

The ingredients in Polo Dreams Royal Wedding 2011 can be bought as individual boxed items and combined as you like or are available as the blend.  

Gardenia and Lily of the Valley buttonholes are worn by men.  Gardenia can be cultivated in a greenhouse but it requires a humid atmosphere.  Lily of the Valley grows like a weed.  The Chinese Gardenia absolute samples I have do little justice to the scent of the flowers on its own but the absolute is often used successfully in perfume.  My Shirley Price Polo Dreams perfume includes Gardenia Absolute and has its fans.  


A big favourite Monoi de Tahiti is a Gardenia relative  .Monoi de Tahiti is a beautiful and naturally perfumed oil which has been traditionally used by Tahitian women to protect their skin and hair. Shirley Price Monoi de Tahiti is obtained by gently soaking the Tahitian plant Gardenia Tihensis into rich liquid virgin coconut oil (cocus nucifera). It is easily and quickly absorbed by the skin, and is a superbly effective moisturiser with a wonderful exotic aroma, especially good for using after you've been in the sun as it will moisturise and leave your skin glossy and aromatic!  With Polo Dreams Royal Wedding 2011 Natural Perfume we ship a free 15ml of Monoi de Tahiti.

Being a natural perfume we will update the Polo Dreams Royal Wedding natural perfume blend each year to take account of natural variation rather than add synthetics.

Note


RESEARCH Here is the research on Gardenia's hypnotic effects.  You can be sure if Catherine was wearing this on her wedding day she had Williams full attention!  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18819886  See also Guenther The Essential Oils Vol 5 for an excellent write up on Gardenia and the indispensible WA Poucher Cosmetics and Soaps.


PI Brealey
Shirley Price Aromatherapy Ltd

Note

This has proved a popular blend so im thinking of updating it each year and getting expert comment on it to assist as we go along, the official name is Polo Dreams Royal Wedding 2011. It was an excuse to use all our favourites and as its a... fragrance intended to be worn for the husband as well as the wifes benefit its easier for me to assess than feminine perfumes which are less hypnotic. We get a lot of enquiries for Gardenia mixes and Carnation which is popular. In china Gardenia is used to scent tea so there is a good source. This Tuscany lavender we use at every opportunity. its rare to get such a dedicated farmer. The vetiver start of the season and the Spanish cistus is well prepared by Biolandes who have a unit there. The ylang is quite dilute so echos the gardenia. We send a 15ml monoi de Tahiti with each one for the complete gardenia experience. The only nod to synthetics is hydroxy citronnellal for the lily of the valley which I am trying to replace by trial and error to remove that soapiness but it does the job very well.  Other bases available are jojoba and aloe vera.  Aloe vera has excellent gelling qualities and aroma wise is more neutral than evening primrose but if you have a slightly oily skin evening primrose is preferred.  More on http://www.shirleyprice.com/.

The Royal Wedding in Photos

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-13231282

This is the day when christian and non christian alike send their best wishes for the future to the Royal Couple William and Catherine.  Good luck from all at Sp. May God bless and sustain you both in the years ahead of you.

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Business - Managing Intellectual Property

Whats in a name?

With Shirley Price products in use around the world it is necessary to take reasonable precautions over the intellectual property.  We make it difficult to fake our products in various ways, changing the labels regularly, excellent packaging, good communications as to who authorised distributors are.  Sometimes however one must deal with unreasonable people and seek the protection of the law in the public interest.

We have excellent legal advisers in the USA, UK and China.  So good our Hong Kong advisors have been named IP Legal Firm of the year.  We can thoroughly recommend their services to others dealing in the China market which offers great oportunities but also pitfalls for the inexperienced.

http://www.deacons.com.hk/eng/knowledge/knowledge_419.htm#1

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Popular essential oils and mixes

Bergamot	Citrus bergamia
Eukalyptus smithii	Eucalyptus smithii
Geranium	Pelargonium graveolens
Kamille Romersk	Chamaemelum nobile
Kanel blad	Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Lavendel	Lavandula angustifolia
Mandarin	Citrus reticulata
Pepper sort	Piper nigrum
Peppermynte	Mentha x piperita
Rosmarin	Rosmarinus officinalis
Sitron	Citrus limon
Afterflight  E.O. miks	jet lag, plager v/lange flyturer
Airways E.O. miks	bihuleplager
Cellulite E.O. miks	appelsinhud,væskeopphopninger
Circulation E.O. miks	dårlig blodsirkulasjon, kalde hender/føtter
Clear Head E.O. miks	hodepine/migreneplager
Easy Breathe E.O. miks	nese- og halsplager, sår hals
Fatigue E.O. miks	oppkvikkende, motvirker tretthet
Joints E.O. miks	ledd-/skjelettplager
Muscle E.O. miks	muskelplager og spenninger
Muscle ferdigblandet olje	muskelplager og spenninger
Respiratory E.O. miks	lunge- og luftveisplager, høysnue
Rest E.O. miks	innsovning og søvnplager, avslappning
Stresses and Strains E.O. miks	stress, angst, spenninger
Stretch Marks E.O. miks	strekkmerker/arr-forebyggende/avhjelpende
Visible Veins E.O. miks	synlige årer, åreknuter
Women E.O. miks	femininplager; PMS
Baseoljemix	(druekjerne m/avocado & hvetekim)
Druekjerneolje	Vitis vinifera
Druekjerneolje	Vitis vinifera
Mandelolje, søt	Prunus dulcis
White Lotion	(vegetabilsk lotion base)
White Lotion	(vegetabilsk lotion base Essentia

and so to Edinburgh........see you on Stand D70

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Student Case study - fighting lice and midge skin infestations and reactions in animals

In hygienic and well fed human populations parasitic skin infestations occur rarely.  Head lice outbreaks occur in schools where children are likely to make head to head contact.  Wet combing with a lice comb is effective in removing the adult lice and breaking the 7 day life cycle.  Treatment with essential oils in a scalp massage, shampoo or conditioner is effective but it is important to remember to leave the essential oils on for 30 minutes before rinsing for example covering the head with clingfilm. Lice are brown in colour and the size of a pinhead when they hatch and 3mm long (the size of a sesame seed) when fully grown.  A female head louse lays white eggs by cementing them to hairs (often close to the root) where they will be kept warm by the scalp. The eggs are pinhead size and difficult to see. 

Student Case studies of the use of natural products for control of lice infestations can be found in animals.  These sometimes manifest themselves in older animals in April each year.  Holistic treatments should be discussed with the Vet treating the animals and can be effective in minimising the symptoms.  Insects are affected by essential oils which confuse the chemical messages insects use to communicate.

 Lice outbreaks are common and need treatment or the horse will become bald.  Generally the lice will disappear of their own accord in about 4 weeks but the severity of the attack will vary from horse to horse.  Part of the pre summer season preparation is shampoo treatment with effective anti-lice ingredients.

Among horses sweet itch is a medical condition with signs of hairloss, dry skin and itching caused by an allergic response to the bites of Culicoides midges. The horse's immune system reacts against the saliva.  Unfortunately once prone to sweet itch the horse will be affected from April to October though the skin will heal in the winter. Sweet itch is not infectious so it can affect one horse without affecting the herd.  These Culicoides midges do not fly more than 100m so considerable relief can be obtained by moving horses away from pasture which is boggy or contains stagnant ponds where the midge breeds. Natural treatments.  Aloe vera can be rubbed onto the skin to prevent the animal from itching the dry skin patches. Citronella oil is an effective and non toxic insect repellant which will deter the midges but it must be repeatedly applied.  The ideal time is morning and dusk when the midges are active. 

Mange.  Wild Fox populations are severely affected by mange caused by parasites living in the skin. Foxes can be treated by leaving food for them containing remedies.  If mange is left untreated the infestation can spread all over the animals body and cause death by exhaustion.  The parasites life cycle must be broken. Any animal shelters should be disinfected.  Infestation can spread to domestic animals and also humans.  A whole herd of horses so an affected animal must be isolated and actively treated at the first possible sign of hair loss and skin infection.  As the parasites which cause mange can be transmitted to humans any direct treatment should be applied with disposable gloves.  Natural treatments.  A natural treatment with neem oil can be used in conjuction with the synthetic treatments but mange is a serious condition and veterinary advice should be immediately sought.

Always consult your veterinary surgeon.

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hydrolsols packaging

Sp supply a list of organic hydrolats from steam distillation of the essential oils.  The water soluable elements remain after distillation and these have been found to have useful properties.  Today I am thinking about our packaging of the hydrosols.  There are many options.  Amber glass is not particularly attractive.    

Theres a nice discussion of packaging p164-166 in Suzanne catty's book, Hydrosols the next aromatherapy.

look inside

This book has an excellent section on the properties and uses of hydrolats entitled 'now what do I do with them' which we recommend to students including useful research.  See also Len Price's carrier oils.

As water based products hydrolats have a limited shelf life of 12 months so of course fresh production should be used.  Faked floral waters made with essential oils added in tiny quantity to water are not hydrolats and do not have the properties ascribed to hydrolats in the textbooks.  These products make some aromatherapists like Suzanne very cross when they are marketed by some companies as having therapeutic properties so take care not to be seen with one near her!

To my mind Miron glass while increasing shelf life by 15% cannot be justified on cost grounds. Hydrolats are cheap and should be enjoyed without the packaging adding unnecessarily to the cost (or be used to justify a large price!). Fresh season production is needed anyway.  This is not a product which will keep well even in a fridge for too long.  Glass though beautiful is heavy to ship and in larger sizes impractical.

Once beauty therapists and home users get into the uses of hydrosols they typically require large containers making plastic the packaging of choice.  It costs as much to package the hydrosols in attractive packaging as dull ones! The hydrosols should look beautiful and benefit from coloured plastic, usually blue.  So here we are Shirley Price hydrosols in beautiful 200ml blue glass and in stylish blue plastic 250ml containers with silver caps.  We also ship in natural plastic for those wanting a spray top.


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Welcome

We welcome Wisteria Chang who works for Sp's Korea Distributor Marinoel who will be working with Sp for 6 months in the UK.  


Wisteria will also be training as an aromatherapist with Jan for IFPA membership.  


Module one of the Aromatherapy Diploma is April 13-17


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hand made natural cosmetics

Jan Benham is back in the factory. She is teaching the aromatherapy diploma module one April 13-17.  Coming up are the handmade cosmetics and holistic facials courses. she has many years experience of formulation experience and her books can be bought online.  Last month Jan and her team prepared 11,000 items by hand for a lavender farm.

This month she is working with the Tuscan Lavender to formulate and make a face-body range for the Shirley Price natural and organic cosmetics catalog.

Watch out for the new packaging.  Blue (Natural) and Green (Organic) tall bostons and Frosted glass.

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