Module 1

Question 1

How would you describe aromatherapy to somebody who knows nothing about it?

Answer 1

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils for improving or maintaining health and beauty.

Question 2

What are essential oils?

Answer 2

Essential oils are volatile, hydrocarbon-based aromatic liquids, naturally produced in various parts of plants - including flowers, leaves, stems, twigs, bark, peel, roots, etc.

Question 3

What four kinds of specialized cells produce essential oils?

Answer 3

1) Glandular trichomes - modified epidermal hairs that can be found on the surface of leaves, stems, and parts of flowers (often found in Family Lamaciae)
2) Epidermal cells - in Rose and Jasmine for example, essential oils diffuse through the cytoplasm, thru cell walls of the plant to the outside. The yield of oils from these plants is usually very low
3) Secretory cavities and ducts - found throughout the entire plant, large intercellular spaces are formed by the separation of neighbouring cells or by the disintegration of cells. Spherical spaces are called cavities and are found in plants from the Myrtaceae and Rutaceae families
4) Oil cells - cells that occur within the plant tissue which differ from cells adjacent to them; found throughout the whole plant. Found in plants from the Lauraceae, Piperaceae, and Valerianaceae families

Question 4

Name and describe the four basic areas of aromatherapy

Answer 4

1) Medical Aromatherapy – the style pioneered by medical doctors in France. Focuses on the chemistry and pharmacological properties of essential oils. Emphasizes the ingestion of essential oils.
2) Popular and Esoteric Aromatherapy – “feel good” therapy that heavily emphasizes smell and touch. Focuses on the ‘healing art’ aspect of aromatherapy, and recognize the importance of the therapist-client relationship. It also recognizes the multidimensional complexity of illness.
3) Holistic Aromatherapy – aimed at treating the whole person; works on a holistic level by addressing mind, body, and spirit. Utilizes the pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and metaphysical properties of the oils.
4) The scientific study of fragrance – involves “Aromachology”, which is the scientific study of the effects of fragrance on human psychology and behavior; considers both natural and synthetic odorants; driven by corporate sponsorship

Question 5

The distinctive strength of holistic aromatherapy as a healing art is dependent upon which six principles?

Answer 5

1) The pharmacology of essential oils
2) incorporation of holistic principles with the use of essential oils - holistic aromatherapy treatment is aimed at treating the whole person – addresses the physical body, mind, and the spirit.
3) The massage - The effect of touch has a profound physical and psychological impact
4) The therapist-client relationship - empathy from the therapist is an important element in the treatment’s success. At the same time, the client must feel a sense of confidence in the therapist.
5) The realization of the complexity of illness - physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health all go hand in hand
6) The role of olfaction and the brain - smell is a very powerful sense that has a strong effect on the CNS. It is the only sense in which its receptors are in direct contact with the outside world.

Question 6

What three distinct modes of action do essential oils have with regard to how they can interrelate with the human body?

Answer 6

1) pharmacological effect – concerned with chemical changes that take place when an essential oil enters the body
2) physiological effect - is the way the essential oil affects the body i.e. sedating or stimulating etc.
3) psychological effect – takes place in the limbic part of the brain (memory/emotion) in response to the smell of the essential oil

Question 7

Who is the modern-day father of aromatherapy?

Answer 7

Rene Gattefosse

Question 8

Describe what is meant by top, middle and base notes applied as descriptors of particular essential oils

Answer 8

1) top notes – very aromatic, the oils you smell first in the blend; evaporate quickly. They remain approximately 2 to 3 hours in the body. Either hot or cold, never warm
2) middle notes – “balancers” in a blend; warm, smooth, no sharp edges; either sedating or stimulating. Last from 2 to 6 hours in the body
3) base notes – deepen a blend. Can smell weak or faint, but release their power when applied. Sedating, can last up to 72 hours in the body. Act as a fixative that stops the lighter notes from dispersing too quickly.

Question 9

What data should appear on the label of every essential oil?

Answer 9

• common name
• Latin binomial (and CT if applicable)
• part of the plant used
• Country of origin
• extraction method
• main chemical constituents
• if organic
• if pure or diluted (and if so, with what and what % dilution)
• ‘best before’ date
• The number of millilitres in the bottle
• Safety data - “keep out of reach of children” etc.
• The label may be too small, but if so, a printed handout should accompany the oil