Aromatherapy and Anatomy & Physiology Syllabus
Aromatherapy Study for the Diploma Course
Essential oils & Aromatherapy
- Historical development of aromatherapy
- The place of Aromatherapy in the therapeutic world. e.g. relationship between conventional and non-conventional medicine.
- Merits, benefits and limitations of Aromatherapy: e.g. stress and muscular tensions, colds, skin ailments, digestive disorders etc.
The Holistic Approach
- Introduction to the concept of 'Holism’
- Holistic & Clinical approach
- Individually designed treatments
The Sense of Smell & Olfaction
- Anatomy of sense of smell
- Olfaction
- Odours
- Essential oils & the Sense of Smell
- Sensory awareness
Aromatic Plants & Essential Oils
- General information
- General description of aromatic plants
- Essential oils – general description
- Historical uses of essential oils & aromatic plants
- Contemporary use of essential oils
- Essential oils in the plant
- Botanical origins and classification
- Botanical families - Latin names
- Geographical origins
- General therapeutic activity
- Potential toxicity and hazard
Chemistry of essential oils constituents
- Definition of an essential oil
- Composition of essential oils’ constituents
- Classification of the chemical constituents
- General therapeutic properties of essential oils constituents
- Potential dangers of certain constituents
- Names of essential oils to use and not to use in Aromatherapy
Toxicity, hazards & general precautions
- Hazards/Photosensitivity/Toxicity
- Dermal irritation
- Compulsory IFA hazardous list of essential oils
- Cautionary essential oils list
- Special groups of vulnerable people
- Animal & children
- Very sick people, pregnant women
Most Common methods of extraction
- History
- Distillation
- Expression
- Enfleurage
- Volatile solvent extraction
Quality control and care
- Botanical of origin
- Purity & adulteration
- Storage
Standard
Profile of 60 Essential Oils
- Name(s) - Latin & Common
- Botanical family name
- Part of plant used for extraction
- Method of Extraction
- Main Chemical constituents
- History
- Hazards, Caution & Contra-Indications
- Temperament/Constitution or indications
- Therapeutic activities
- Therapeutic properties (general)
- Medicinal usage: Historical; most current uses.
- Psychological effects
Blending medium, carrier/base oils or creams
- Listing individual carrier/ blending medium
- Recommended uses and contra-indication
- The Art of the Perfumer
- Blending essnetial oils to a carrier
- Application of essential oils
Carrier oils
- Common & Latin Names of carrier or medium
- Source, Use and Storage
- Rancidity
Common Name of main carrier oils
- Almond (sweet)
- Apricot kernel
- Avocado
- Evening primrose
- Grapeseed
- Hazelnut
- Jojoba
- Olive
- Peach kernel
- Sesame
- Wheatgerm
Macerated carrier/base oils - Arnica
- Calendula
- Carrot
- Rosehip seed
- St. John’s Wort
Methods
of use and applications essential oils & aromatherapy
- Inhalations
- Steam inhalations
- Vaporisers
- Burners
- Neat applications
- Compresses
- Creams & ointments
- Foot bath
- Hip Bath
- Aromatic Baths
- Local massage
- Full body massage
Self study
- Developing sensory/smelling skills
- Developing awareness and clear perceptions
- Experimenting with blending
- Research and reading
- Reflecting on the Do’s & Don’t’s
Assignments
- Writing essays
- Submission of course work as set
- Making a folder for essential oil profiles
IFA Examinations
- IFA theoretical Aromatherapy external examination: 2 hours
- Submission of the course folder
- Submission of business project
Anatomy & Physiology study
The A & P section is an essential part of the course that will enable students to understand how aromatherapy works and helps in completing the aromatherapy assignments and case studies
The course outline
Holistic Medicine
- Relationship & dynamics of Mind, Body Spirit in health and sickness
The Human Body as a whole
- Medical terms
- Mapping the body
- Levels of organisation of the BODY:
- Cells, tissues, organs and systems
- Tissue Level: description, definition & classification of body tissue
General description, structure, functions & common disorders of the following body systems
Skeletal System
- Muscular System
- Circulatory System
- Lymphatic System
- Respiratory System
- Digestive System
- Urinary System
- Nervous System
- Endocrine System
- Reproductive System
- Immune System
Self study
- Reading notes
- Completing the recommended workbook
- Research recommended topics
Assignments
- Reading and studying course notes, recommended books or chapters
- Completing the assignment
- Submitting to tutors for assessment
Examinations
You will be provided with past examination papers from the IFA
A 2 hours A & P examination paper