How to Earn Certifications as an Aromatherapist

Certification is not needed in the United States to be an Aromatherapist. It is often required in the European countries, but not necessary here. The basic idea of the practice of aromatherapy is to strengthen self-healing and stimulating our immune system.

Aromatherapy dates from before written history. There are early documents that tell of the uses of aromatherapy in Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians were known to use oils from plants and flowers for massage oils, embalming preparations, perfumes and cosmetics, and skin care products. The oldest surviving medical book in China contains information on more than 300 different plants and what they were used for. The book is called “Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine” and was thought to be writing around 2697 BC! The Greek and Roman civilizations adopted the use of essential oils for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Many of these same cures are still used today were found in a book written more than 2000 years ago by a Greek doctor.

The popularity of this alternative or complementary therapy is growing faster by the year. Right now, the practice of alternative medicine such as aromatherapy is making more than one billion dollars a year. Many European countries have insurance companies that will repay mainstream doctors who practice aromatherapy with regular medical procedures.

Is there a career field for you in aromatherapy? If so, how do you get started? First, we should note the different types of aromatherapy.

Cosmetic aromatherapy uses essential oils in all natural products for the face, body, and hair.

Massage aromatherapy combines the scent of the healing essential oils with the healing touch of massage.

Olfactory aromatherapy is scents released into the environment around you and is effective because you are not only smelling the scents, but also inhaling its valuable ingredients. Diffusion in breaking the oils into micro droplets and allows for easier inhalation. Diffusers can range from candle diffusers; lamp rings made from ceramic or brass and even a tissue with a few drops of oil and kept near you will work.

Careers in aromatherapy can be anything from therapeutic counseling, oil storage management, production and manufacturing of essential oils and learning to custom blend different oils for specific patients. Aromatherapy can be used to strengthen an already set up medical practice or used with massage therapy.

There are many openings in this booming business of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy certificates can be earned in several different ways. Most programs are either night or weekend seminars and are open to anyone to attend. Some are designed especially for massage therapists to medical doctors. You don’t have to have a prerequisite to study in an aromatherapy program. The cost is about $500 but can be more or less in different areas of the country. It is interesting to note that financial aid is available for those wanting to study aromatherapy through the Sallie Mae Foundation and TERI. These may be available only at certain schools, so it is important for you to check the school to see if these aids are available through that school.

Although we don’t have any official form of accreditation in the United States for Aromatherapist, several associations govern it. These include Educational Standards in Aromatherapy Association, Natural Oils Research Association, The American alliance of Aromatherapy and the Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. These associations set educational goals and ensure compliance with ethical standards set by the industry.

Since there is no accreditation, the length of the course in learning aromatherapy can vary from a few dozen hours to a several hundred hours to receive an accreditation from a school. Because the use of essential oils can be dangerous if not used correctly, the more knowledge you have of the subject the more effective you will be. It’s important to learn the safety issues of essential oils, the chemistry of the oils and how each oil affects both the mind and the body.

It’s important to have a good course of study before beginning your own aromatherapy practice, both for safety and liability reasons. To design specially formatted oil for addressing muscle pain, or releasing tension requires knowledge and awareness of the oils properties and uses. Consider training with an extensively trained professional before stepping out on your own.

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For more on getting aromatherapy certification visit Nature's Gift's Schools.