London Diploma Course in Aromatherapy & Therapeutic Massage
Modules 1-5
This module is designed to provide students with a thorough foundation in the science and safe use of essential oils.
• Key definitions: defining primary terms such as aromatherapy, essential oil, essence, aromatic extract, absolute, resinoid, chemotype, fixed oil, hydrolat, synergy, etc.
• Botany and biogenesis: aromatic plants and their taxonomic classifications; basic plant structure and functions; glandular structures; essential oil biogenesis; pathways of biosynthesis; the roles of essential oil within the plant; the influence of external factors on essential oil production and composition.
• Plant identification: recognising aromatic plants growing in Nature through a botanical walk through Kew Gardens and with the aid of our extensive slide photographs.
• Essential oil chemistry: an introduction to the relevant principles of organic chemistry, including structure–activity relationship theory and functional group theory; the major families of essential oil components together with their definitions, bioactivity, uses and safety issues; methods of essential oil analysis.
• Essential oil safety and contraindications: hazards of essential oil use including irritant dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, sensitization, photosensitivity and photo allergy, acute and chronic toxicity; essential oil metabolism and excretion; safety for the therapist; best practice.
• Safe bottling and labelling: the UK Medicines Control Agency (MCA); the UK Aromatherapy Trade Council (ATC).
2. Essential Oil Production
and Quality
This module gives students an understanding
of how essential oils and related products are produced, and investigates
the factors that influence their purity and quality.
• Methods of extraction: hydrodistillation,
water and steam distillation, steam distillation, expression, solvent
extraction, CO2 extraction.
• Quality control: essential
oil identification criteria; organoleptic analysis (colour, viscosity,
aroma profile and taste); physical analysis; adulteration.
• Storage: handling and storing
essentials oils; oxidation, spoilage and shelf life.
• Related botanical products: hydrolats
(aromatic waters), tisanes, tinctures, fixed and herbal oils – their
production, quality control and therapeutic uses.
• Important fixed oils: sweet
almond, apricot kernel, avocado, castor, cocoa butter, coconut,
evening primrose, hazelnut, jojoba, macadamia nut, olive, peach kernel, rose
hip, safflower, sesame seed, sunflower seed, tamanu, walnut oils.
• Important herbal oils: arnica,
calendula, wild carrot, comfrey, devil’s claw, echinacea,
fenugreek, gotu kola, hypericum, lime blossom, meadowsweet oils.
3. Historical and Philosophical
Perspectives
This module traces the development of aromatherapy
from its roots in the ancient use of aromatics to its emergence
as a 20th century system of natural medicine. It explores the meaning
of health and illness and the role of aromatherapy in modern health
care.
• The evolution of aromatherapy: the
traditional use of aromatics; the development of distillation;
the modern history of essential oil use to the present day.
• Modern natural medicine: its
philosophical principles; comparing biochemical, energetic, structural
and psychological forms of natural medicine; the relationship between
conventional and non-conventional medicine.
4. Methods of Application
and Blending
In this module we look at the various routes
through which essential oils are absorbed by the body, together
with the ways they are applied therapeutically.
• Mechanisms of action: inhalation
(olfaction, respiratory absorption), skin absorption and internal
administration (for reference only); effects of aromatherapy massage.
• Methods of application: the
theory and practice of inhalation delivery methods; baths, massage,
compresses; creams, ointments, lotions and gels; clay applications;
hair care; mouth care.
• Blending: methods of blending
according to fragrance, chemistry, essential oil safety and client
consultation; aesthetic, clinical and psychological approaches
to blending; the accurate diluting of essential oils according to the
therapeutic requirement.
5. Individual Essential
Oils
This module is composed of an in-depth
survey of 45 principal, and 15 secondary, essential oils and their
main chemotypes. The study of each aromatic plant and its essential
oil includes its botanical name, synonyms and family; geographical
origin, habitat and morphology; extraction method and yield; relevant
chemical composition; physical characteristics and aroma; traditional
and general uses; therapeutic indications and uses (researched
and anecdotal); energetic and psychological effects according to traditional
Oriental medicine; cautions and contraindications.
• Principal
essential oils of study:
1 Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum)
2 Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
3 Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
4 Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
5 Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
6 Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica & C. deodara)
7 Chamomile, German (Chamomilla recutita)
8 Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
9 Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
10 Coriander Seed (Coriandrum sativum)
11 Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
12 Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp)
13 Everlasting (Helichrysum italicum)
14 Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
15 Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
16 Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
17 Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
18 Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
19 Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)
20 Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
21 Lavender, French (Lavandula stoechas)
22 Lavender, Spike (Lavandula latifolia)
23 Lavender, True (Lavandula angustifolia)
24 Lemon (Citrus limonum)
25 Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
26 Mandarin; Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)
27 Marjoram, Sweet (Origanum majorana)
28 Melissa (Melissa officinalis)
29 Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
30 Neroli (Citrus aurantium ssp aurantium) (flos)
31 Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
32 Orange (Citrus aurantium varieties)
33 Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var motia)
34 Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
35 Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
36 Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium ssp aurantium) (fol)
37 Pine (Pinus spp)
38 Rose Otto (Rosa damascena)
39 Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis chemotypes)
40 Sage (Salvia spp)
41 Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
42 Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
43 Thyme (Thymus vulgaris chemotypes)
44 Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)
45 Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
• Secondary
essential oils of study:
1 Angelica Root and Seed (Angelica archangelica)
2 Cajeput (Melaleuca cajuputi)
3 Caraway (Carum carvi)
4 Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
5 Cistus (Cistus ladaniferus)
6 Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus & C. winterianus)
7 Clove Bud (Syzygium aromaticum)
8 Fennel, Sweet (Foeniculum vulgare)
9 Ho (Cinnamomum camphora)
10 Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis)
11 Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
12 Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica)
13 Sandalwood (Santalum album)
14 Savory, Mountain (Satureia montana)
15 Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
