Chamomile
I am waiting with great anticipation for my aromatherapy course materials to arrive. I’ve enrolled in a distance learning course by the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, one of the leading organizations in the field. Once I complete the course and pass the exam, I’ll have a certification from the PIA! Noelle Katai , the host of Everybody Nose, is a certified aromatherapist educated through PIA.
Of course, since I’ve begun learning about essential oils and aromatherapy, I’ve done a lot of reading and learning on my own through the resources on the Web and books written by some industry leading experts. So now I’m ready to take it to the next level. The chemistry of essential oils and how they effect our various systems will help me to develop blends with more confidence.
The course ranges from scientific facts to the very subjective field of fragrance and emotion.
Part I ESSENTIAL OILS – basics
- Production methods
- Basics of distillation
- Purity and adulteration
- Quality grades of natural essential oils
- Synthetic vs. natural
- Definition of botanical origin
- Chemical races
PART II: STRUCTURE AND ENERGY
In this section, I’ll explore the categories of chemical compounds found in essential oils and their effects on the body.
PART III: TREATMENT OF DISEASE
The therapeutic effects of essential oils exhibit different types of synergistic action. Substantial clinical research demonstrates that a natural, complete essential oil is of higher efficiency than one or more isolated “active ingredients”. SO COOL!
Part IV SKIN CARE
In this section, I’ll learn exactly how the molecules of essential oils penetrate the skin and the power behind them.
- Emulsifiers
- Typical applications of essential oils in skin care
- Aromatic facials
- Clays
- Hydrosols in skin care
- Natural facial mask compositions
Part V PSYCHOLOGY OF FRAGRANCE
Ooooh….the psychology of perfumery and underlying erotic effects of fragrance materials is in part 5.
PART VI: TOXICOLOGY
The final section will cover all the potential hazards of essential oils on skin and mucous membranes and how to use them safely.
As I move through the course, I’ll share what I’m learning here for all of you!
