Aromatherapy Foundations

On this scale, a number one represents a very intense aroma, and a number ten, a very soft aroma. Look up the standard aromatherapy intensities of the volatile plant oils you’re combing in a synergy. Use these numbers to guide your blending. The oils are arranged using their common names.  A Allspice: Pimenta dioica (4) […]

Topic Terminology Aroma Intensity Scale: A measure of the potency of an aroma’s smell. Volatile plant oils are arranged from 1 on the scale indicating a very strong aroma to 10 on the scale indicating a soft aroma. Aroma Intensity Score: A number assigned to a volatile plant oil to indicate the potency of its

Topic Terminology 1,8 Cineole: A chemical component of volatile plant oils that gives eucalyptus its characteristic smell and has well-researched effects on the respiratory system.  Alcohol: A group of chemical components in volatile plant oils generally known for their anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, immune-boosting, and neurosedative properties, among others.  Aldehyde: A group of chemical components in volatile plant oils generally

Topic Terminology 1% Concentration: 6 drops of volatile plant oil per ounce of carrier product. Appropriate for children, pregnant women, and older adults. 2-3% Concentration: 12-18 drops of volatile plant oil per ounce of carrier product. Appropriate for healthy adults. 4-5% Concentration: 24-30 drops of volatile plant oil per ounce of carrier product. Appropriate for

READ THE LABEL: The majority of cosmetic products on the market today are full of chemicals we don’t want to inhale or allow to absorb through our skin. Make sure to read labels and avoid any product containing the ingredients described in this topic.  When we choose products to use as carriers for our aromatherapy

Topic Terminology Alcohol: A colorless volatile flammable liquid produced through the natural fermentation of sugars.  Aloe Vera Gel: A natural, cooling, silky, watery emollient extracted from the thick, fluid-filled leaves of succulent plants from the Aloe genus.   Carriers (Aromatherapy): Products like fixed vegetable oils, creams, lotions, or gels we use to dilute volatile plant oils and “carry” them

Topic Terminology Carriers (Aromatherapy): Products like fixed vegetable oils, creams, lotions, or gels we use to dilute volatile plant oils and “carry” them to the body.   Cold Pressed (Fixed Oil): A production process where machines grind, crush, and compress nuts, seeds, and fruits to extract their nonvolatile oils at temperatures below 122 degrees F.   Expeller Pressed: A production

Test your knowledge of this lesson by practicing with the activities below.  Activity 1: Olfaction and Learned Odor Responses Activity 2: What Does This Research Tell Us About Volatile Plant Oils? For each question, choose the best answer. Activity 3: Pathways Through the Body Demonstrate your knowledge of this content by deciding if a statement

In Lesson 01, Topic A (Defining Aromatherapy), we discussed the use of aromatherapy for spiritual wellness. We know that plants that produce volatile oils have cultural, mythological, mystical, and symbolic associations that connect people to the natural world in ways that are healing.  Applying volatile plant oils for their spiritual effects in a massage practice