Have you ever wondered what it would be like to become a master of alternative medicine, using essential oils and aromatic compounds from plants to positively impact someone's mood or health? Wonder no more! Through training at aromatherapy schools, you can become an aromatherapist.

Lessons at Aromatherapy Schools
In France, aromatherapy is incorporated into mainstream medicine. Essential oils are sometimes regulated as prescription drugs and administered by a doctor. In America, however, it's not regarded specifically as medicine with a medical doctor but rather via an aromatherapist. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) is an educational, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy.

As aspiring students pursue various aromatherapy schools, they may become familiar with NAHA as well. As indicated by NAHA, curriculum by an accredited aromatherapy school should include a history of aromahistory from its basis in ancient cultures. About 10 to 20 essential oils should be introduced and taught. In addition, basic physiology is taught such as methods of absorption, an overview of the limbic system, lymphatic system, immune system and skin. Aspiring aromatherapists should also be taught how oils interact on physical and emotional levels along with creating a blend, carrier oils and various ways to apply the applications.

Aromatherapists need to become very familiar with essential oils such as citrus limon, citrus sinensis, eucalyptus globules, metha x piperita, rosa damascene and salvia sclarea. When researching acupuncture schools, students may also want to research the NAHA standards of aromatherapy training which entails a minimum of 200 hours of training and practical tuition in aromatherapy and essential oil students as well as anatomy and physiology.

Aromatherapy Training Beyond the Senses
The curriculum within aromatherapy schools entails history and modern development, the basics of botany, properties of essential oils within a holistic and clinical framework, methods of extraction, organic chemistry, carrier oils, blending techniques, methods of application, safety and aromatherapy, consultation and treatment program design, the basics of business development and of course, legal and ethical issues.

In turn, anatomy and physiology training typically includes topics like the respiratory system and the olfactory process, basic anatomy and physiology of the reproductive, circulatory, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic/immune, urinary, musculoskeletal and digestive systems.  It is expected that students at aromatherapy schools become knowledgeable about the structure and function of major systems in the human body along with learning about five common ailments within each system. 

Depending on the school, if students have already earned a degree in a health-related field such as nursing or massage therapy, they may be eligible to test out of the anatomy and physiology section. In order to graduate, the approved standards typically state students must complete a lengthy research paper, conduct at least ten case histories and pass an examination. At that point, the aromatherapist may graduate and become ready to start pursuing his or her passion.