Aromatherapy for Pleasure A ten week course / 20 hours in total Week 1 What is Aromatherapy?

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 What is Aromatherapy? Aroma is a smell How do you describe a smell? Do you think that we can categorise these smells? Working in groups, write down as many categories of smells that you can think of and give 1 example of each Do you like all of the smells that you describe?

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 Why are smells/aromas/odours important to us? They inform you whether you like them or not They inform you of danger They can indicate a pleasurable experience They can evoke memories (good & bad) They can relax a person They can stimulate a person

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 How does the body detect aromas? Aroma molecules are caught up in the air They are transported by sniffing up the nose They stimulate the olfactory nerve which sends messages to the brain Which interprets a response from the body..hunger..fright etc

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 How does this work? No-one knows for sure as the olfactory system is so complex One theory is that the shapes of the aroma molecules are shaped so that they fit into each other This theory is known as….The Lock & Key Theory! Let’s see how you would describe these 3 aromas

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 So what is Aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is just as it is described A Therapy (or treatment) using Aroma The therapy can be used in many forms, the most commonly known is massage The Aromas are held in naturally occurring essences known as Essential Oils

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 Essential Oils Essential Oils are in:- Berries Seeds Peel Leaves Twigs Roots Woods Petals Barks Give an example of each of these

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 Essential Oil SAFETY Essential Oils should not be used neat on the skin, they can cause irritation Always use them diluted in a carrier oil or cream Do not allow neat essential oils to get into the eye If essential oils get into the eye, rinse well and then place a carrier (vegetable) oil on cotton wool and allow the oil to absorb any excess essential oil

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 Essential Oil SAFETY Never drink or swallow essential oils, they are poisonous In emergency drink FULL FAT MILK and take to A&E taking the essential oil bottle with you KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 Do NOT use Essential Oils Do not use neat on the skin Do not use on babies Do not use Rosemary Essential Oil on anybody who has epilepsy If in doubt, don’t use them Only qualified and registered Aromatherapist are insured to treat clients

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 Storage of Essential oils should be in:- A cool dark place Light breaks down their strength Away from heat They are flammable Away from children They are poisonous

Jane Barber/ aromatherapy for pleasure week 1 So, let’s remind ourselves; What is Aromatherapy? Why are smells/aromas/odours important to us? How do we detect odours? What effects do odours have? Where do Essential Oils come from? When should Essential Oils not be used?