Aromatherapy: A career in holistic healing

Aromatherapy is the latest craze in relaxation. It revolves around the theory that your sense of smell may improve your life on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.

What’s this career about?

Aromatherapists use essential oils extracted from plants and herbs to alleviate specific ailments through massage or inhalation. The most common essential oils used are eucalyptus, rose, lavender, lemon, tea tree, jasmine, almond and chamomile, etc. These natural oils have a different composition compared to other herbal products and consist of tiny aromatic molecules that can readily be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, enter the bloodstream and are carried around the body where they can deliver their beneficial healing powers.

These therapists first talk to their clients to diagnose problems, then choose the right oils to help them. For every stage and type of ailment, there is a corresponding combination of plant oils to correct and balance that disease. The goal of the aromatherapist is to create a balanced remedy for each client.

The oils may be used in baths, since water itself has a therapeutic value that enhances the power of the oils. Or they can be used in a compress, inhaled, or used in a vaporizer. Natural perfumes can be made by blending different oils. Many of the oils have powerful antibacterial and antiviral qualities which, unlike pharmaceutical drugs, do not leave behind dangerous toxins.

Aromatherapy can help ease a wide assortment of ailments; easing aches, pains, and injuries, while also relieving the discomforts of many health problems. It also acts on the central nervous system, relieving depression and anxiety, reducing stress, relaxing, uplifting, sedating or stimulating, restoring both physical and emotional well-being.

In short, aromatherapy is an art and science of using aromatic plant oils. The science side looks at the chemistry of essential oils and hydrosols to determine what therapeutic action they will have for some health condition. The art side looks at how the essential oil will support you holistically — to shift your perception of pain, decrease the inflammation and support your own innate ability to heal the mind, body and spirit.

PLUS!

• How do I get there?
• Key skills
• Institutes
• Employment prospects
• Pay packages

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