The Role of an aromatherapist and how to achieve your wellness objective

The Role of an Aromatherapist

In this blog, you will learn the following;

• What is an Aromatherapist?

• Why did I become a Clinical Aromatherapist?

• What are the requirements to become a Clinical Aromatherapist?

• What do a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist do?

• How to become an Aromatherapist? See podcast: https://youtu.be/HZ4y_ctxksE

• Live case examples

What is an Clinical Aromatherapist?

A Clinical Aromatherapist, also referred to as a Certified Aromatherapy Health Professional, is someone who has undergone extensive training in aromatherapy and the anatomy and physiology of the human body. This includes completing 475 hours of training, writing a thesis, conducting 30 live case studies, and passing two exams with the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists. After fulfilling these requirements, you can join the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists, where you must earn 12 CEU credits annually to maintain your membership. This requirement ensures that the aromatherapist stays informed about the latest developments, as the field of aromatherapy is vast and the learning process is ongoing.

Why did I become a Clinical Aromatherapist?

My journey began in childhood, although I didn't realize then that my passion for learning, exploring nature, and studying plants and animals was the start of a path I would grow to love. Over time, I strayed from this path, as life often leads us astray, and found myself living a life that wasn't fulfilling or aligned with my true purpose. I was unhappy and felt my health was declining. I decided to take action and enrolled in the Clinical Aromatherapy Course with Essentria. I wasn't aware of how challenging this course would be. Balancing work and family stress made it difficult to learn about the plants and their properties, but I discovered effective techniques to memorize the information. As my health worsened, I took a leap of faith and completely changed my life. I moved my family from London, Ontario, to a small community 30 minutes west. Having grown up in a small town in the North, I immediately knew I had made the right choice. The peace and community spirit exceeded my expectations. The next step was leaving my financially secure 20-year career to focus on healing myself and fully dedicating myself to my studies at Essentria.

Since then, I have been more than happy with my decision to become a Clinical Aromatherapist.

The next phase of my career has turned out to be just as challenging, if not more so. I've observed that many people don't realize that being an Aromatherapist is an actual profession. While essential oils do have pleasant scents, there's much more to them. I've noticed this misunderstanding even within my own family. After graduating, I found that even my family members were hesitant to ask for a blend to address their issues. A year later, however, I'm inundated with requests from my family for blends for various problems, and they are consistently amazed by their effectiveness. For example, my husband had gallstones, and his pain was quite severe. When I created a blend for him, he applied it to his stomach, and within 10 minutes, he looked at me in disbelief, saying, "It worked! I don't feel any discomfort or pain."

The reaction was invaluable and truly brightened my day. This is yet another reason I decided to become a Certified Aromatherapist—to assist others in reaching their wellness objectives. Watch the embedded video to learn more.

What are the requirements to become a Clinical Aromatherapist?

Speak to any aromatherapist, and you'll notice a shared trait among them all: a passion for learning and a love for plants and nature. Many aromatherapists aim to become herbalists. To become a Clinical Aromatherapist, you must be passionate and prepared to memorize around 75 plants along with their botanical names, understand their therapeutic properties, know the uses of essential oils, and how to apply them. Additionally, you need to study the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the human body. Learning about the chemical constituents of each plant and their benefits is crucial, especially if you need to use an alternative plant due to client's allergy or to practice sustainability if the plant is endangered.

What do a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist do?

After graduating, a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist can choose to become a consultant to assist others with their wellness routines, develop a product to sell, engage in research, teach, and more...

Personally, I have a passion for teaching, which led me to launch a YouTube channel. I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the experience turned out to be, despite the steep learning curve involved in creating content, filming, video editing, posting, and more. Additionally, I work as a Clinical Aromatherapy Consultant and a Wellness Coach, where I excel in helping others enhance their lives and reach their goals.

Additionally, if you're interested in learning how to create a product, you can always arrange to host a workshop. These workshops offer a wonderful opportunity for you, your family, or friends to learn both product creation and the safe use of essential oils. Whether you're a school looking to educate your students, a busy mom seeking a unique activity with family and friends, or an employer aiming to foster a team-building environment for your colleagues, hosting a workshop can be an exciting experience.

As a Consultant, your aromatherapist is available to help you reach your wellness objectives. If you're interested in learning how to become an aromatherapist or want to listen to a podcast where my teacher from Essentria interviews me, please click the link  https://youtu.be/HZ4y_ctxksE.

Here's what you'll discover:

• My enthusiasm for plants and how it guided me to become a certified aromatherapist.

• The significance of understanding anatomy and physiology in the practice of aromatherapy.

• Helpful tips on staying organized and motivated during your studies.

• Real-life success stories illustrating the powerful effects of essential oils, including how I assisted my husband with gallstone discomfort and managed my own bronchitis.

• I will also talk about my new YouTube Channel and my passion for sharing knowledge and experience with those looking to deepen their understanding of essential oils.

In my video, I discuss a tailored blend created for two clients with seborrheic keratosis. For one client, the condition appeared as a leathery lesion on a man's scalp, while for the other, it manifested as a large lump on a woman's leg. Both clients had consulted with their family doctors. The doctor diagnosed the skin lesion as seborrheic keratosis and confirmed it was not harmful. He supported the client’s collaboration with a Clinical Aromatherapist. For the client with the lump, the doctor removed it, but she was concerned about its potential return, especially after feeling a lump under the skin in the same area.

For the client with the lesion, I formulated a blend using avocado oil, Persea americana, valued for its effects on age spots, scalp nourishment, and tissue regeneration. I also included fractionated coconut oil, Cocos nucifera, to soften the lesion's leathery texture. These carrier oils were chosen to remain largely on the skin's surface, targeting the lesion without deep penetration. I added Cedarwood Virginian and Frankincense essential oils for their beneficial properties.

After two weeks, I followed up, and the client noted that the lesion was gradually flaking off. Eventually, it completely vanished, leaving only a discolored spot on his scalp.

In the second case, to prevent the lump from returning, I prepared a 2% dilution blend using Grapeseed oil, Vitis vinifera, known for being non-greasy and fast-absorbing. I included 2 drops of Cedarwood Virginian, Juniperus virginiana, beneficial for seborrhea, along with 1 drop of Frankincense, Boswellia carterii, known for treating various skin conditions and aiding wound healing and pain relief. The final addition was 1 drop of Lavender Highland, Lavendula angustifolia, chosen for its analgesic, antimicrobial, and soothing effects on the skin.

Upon checking back with the client, she happily reported that the lump she felt under her skin had disappeared.

Aromatherapy is not a replacement for conventional medicine; instead, it serves as a complementary approach that can help ease symptoms and enhance one's overall quality of life. This holistic practice utilizes essential oils derived from plants, which are known for their therapeutic properties, to promote physical and emotional well-being. The integration of aromatherapy into a person's health regimen can provide a soothing and nurturing experience, allowing individuals to find relief from various ailments and stressors. In the examples mentioned, the doctor had limitations in addressing certain symptoms or side effects that the clients were experiencing. However, as an aromatherapist, I was able to support both clients in unique and personalized ways that complemented their existing treatment plans. While an aromatherapist cannot diagnose, cure, or treat medical conditions in the traditional sense, they can offer valuable assistance when you experience symptoms resulting from a medical treatment or when the symptoms do not warrant a doctor's visit. This supportive role can involve the careful selection of essential oils that may help alleviate discomfort, promote relaxation, or uplift mood.

For instance, if a client is dealing with anxiety or stress, essential oils like lavender or chamomile can be utilized to create a calming atmosphere, helping to ease mental tension and promote a sense of tranquility. Moreover, aromatherapy can also play a significant role in enhancing the overall experience of conventional treatments. By incorporating aromatherapy into their routine, clients may find that they can better manage side effects, improve their emotional resilience, and foster a greater sense of control over their well-being. This complementary approach not only enriches the healing journey but also empowers individuals to take an active role in their health.

In conclusion, although aromatherapy should not be considered a replacement for traditional medical practices, its value as a supportive and complementary therapy is significant. It serves as a bridge between physical treatments and emotional healing, providing a holistic path for those looking to improve their quality of life amidst various health challenges. Through my own wellness journey, I discovered that aromatherapy offered support when conventional medicine could not. This inspired me to further my studies so that I can continue to assist not only my family and friends but anyone in need.