Do you love the idea of helping improve people's health and wellbeing using essential oils or massage? Are you seeking a rewarding career that will open your senses and allow you to work independently around your other commitments? If so, a career in aromatherapy might be just what the natural therapist ordered! Read on for more information about studying to be an aromatherapist.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy has been around for some 6000 years and involves the use of pure essential oils (fragrant plant extracts), usually through massage, inhalation, baths or compresses. As a holistic treatment, aromatherapy can have a profound effect on physical and psychological wellbeing. There exists the belief that scent, as the most enduring of our senses, has the power to transform our emotions, and heal our bodies. Aromatherapy can have a wide range of benefits, from the physical to the emotional. The benefits of essential oils can be obtained through inhalation or by external application.

Working as an Aromatherapist

As an aromatherapist, you will use essential oils, massage and other techniques such as inhalation to help your clients improve their health and wellbeing. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction to mainstream medicine to help treat common colds and flu, insomnia, nausea, skin conditions, migraines and headaches and many other ailments. Aromatherapy is relatively easy to practice once you have mastered the basics.

In terms of employment, you may work in private practice independently or with other natural health practitioners. You may also work in the community sector, or as an essential oils manufacturer or sales representative. Many aromatherapists practice other therapies such as massage and naturopathy to broaden their skills and offer more services to their clients.

Aromatherapy Study Options

Currently there are no governing regulations you need to adhere to if you want to practice aromatherapy. However, it is always a good idea to study a short course, certificate or diploma to master the basics of aromatherapy practice. There are many aromatherapy courses available in Australia, including campus courses and distance education.

The course you choose should cover a variety of subjects, including the history of aromatherapy, common essential oils, methods of extraction, blending techniques and how to safely store and handle the oils.

Questions to Consider

Before enrolling on a course to study Aromatherapy, it is wise to run through some practical issues and considerations; to ensure that you have all the necessary information and are sure of your intended vocation.  These include:

• Do you know what it entails to be a practising aromatherapist?
• What is the full cost of the course being offered?
• Is the study full or part-time, or available via distance learning?
• Is the institution reputable?
• What career opportunities are available to me after graduating?
• What level of income can I expect?