Aromatherapy – a complimentary therapy

Focus

 By Ranjit Monga

Education needed for learning Aromatherapy

People from many diverse fields are drawn towards Aromatherapy. Among them are botanists, chemists, medical students, doctors, nursing assistants, herbalists, spiritual souls, yoga enthusiasts and many more. But can one pursue a particular educational stream to be able to better understand and qualify to enter the field of Aromatherapy.

First, a word about Aromatherapy. It is the practice of holistic healing through use of essential oils, and specifically their aromas, extracted from flowers, plant roots, bark, leaves herbs, spices, etc. They help in altering one’s mood leading to psychological and physical well-being. Aromatherapists, who specialise in the practice of aromatherapy, utilise blends of different essential oils that can be applied directly or through oil massage, steam inhalation or water immersion to stimulate a desired response.

Essential oils have anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-spasmodic and many such properties, but there is still a lack of substantial clinical evidence demonstrating efficacy against bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.

Though nowhere in the world is Aromatherapy considered ‘legal’ in the sense as a healing or curing science, it is being increasingly used as a complimentary therapy. But despite that, there are no ‘official’ study courses which are recognised by any legal or government authority and allows one to practice.

Instead what you have are private institutes which have grown in reputation over the years and which offer courses in Aromatherapy along with similar alternative therapies. This is particularly true of the United States and Europe, where it has got accepted as a complimentary therapy in hospitals. Many institutes in the US offer a certification in Aromatherapy for nursing staff.

In the eastern part of the world Aromatherapy has evolved more along with the spa and skincare industry. The spa industry uses essential oils for their emotional as well as healing aspects, while the skincare industry takes into account the cosmetic aspects of these wonder oils. For practitioners of these streams of Aromatherapy, studying skin types and skin care become important. A study of dermatology and essential oils would be helpful for this industry. Many renowned beauticians also offer courses in skin care related to the beauty industry. There are courses available in herbal beauty as well, which deal with ayurvedic formulations which can be useful. Study of Ayurveda can also be undertaken to understand plants and their healing properties.

In India Aromatherapy is at a very nascent stage, though we are among the major essential oil producing countries. Kannauj based Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre is the only government organisation which offers a 3-day workshop in ‘Essential oils, Perfumery and Aromatherapy’. Besides, they have several courses in Aroma technology, and cultivation of aromatic crops. In addition, there are a handful of private institutes which offer a course in this field as well.

Back to the main question, as to which is the best subject to study in your school or college life to be able to do well in Aromatherapy. In my view, there is no straight answer for this question. It all depends on which aspect of Aromatherapy do you want to follow.  Is it the medical aspect? The psychological aspect? The cosmetic or the spiritual aspect?

Learning science (Chemistry and/or biology) can prepare you well for the technical aspects of distillation and the numerous compounds found in the essential oils and their properties (which are used for alleviating the symptoms).

Best would be of course, if you have studied medicine, whether it is allopathy, homeopathy or traditional systems like Ayurveda, naturopathy etc. It also allows you to practice aromatherapy in a legitimate way by getting an additional qualification related to plants and their medicinal aspects.  Having a basic knowledge of psychology is also useful to understand emotions and track the wellbeing of persons.

Above all having a spiritual disposition works well to connect with the oils and impart healing to people. This is to me the fundamental aspect on which the oils work — at the spiritual level, which is experienced through perception and insight. Smelling the aroma from an essential oil is an experience by itself. It is pure, deep and seems to carry the whispers of a thousand garden angels in them.

Followers of the spiritual aspect have linked Aromatherapy with different metaphysical systems by relating them to chakras, tarot cards, astrology, Vaastu among others. The essential oils impact our energy system which in turn impact our moods, health and wellness.