Course Number

AROMA 304

This course provides essential oil materia medica training including the therapeutic uses, active constituents, methods of administration, and cautions and contraindications for each of the oils studied. Materia medica training includes botanical information, identification, sources, historical uses, parts used, cultivation, harvesting, production, characteristics, active constituents, therapeutic actions, medicinal uses, evidence-based uses, household uses, and perfumery. It is recommended that students also complete AROMA 303 to study the full complement of essential oils taught at ACHS.

Learning Outcomes

Identify, discuss, and safely use the organic or wildcrafted essential oils studied, including: Botanical information, identification, sources, historical uses, parts used, cultivation, harvesting, production, characteristics, active constituents, therapeutic actions, medicinal uses, evidence-based uses, household uses, and perfumery

Create lifestyle plans and aromatherapy programs to support optimal health

Identify, describe, and discuss appropriate and safe uses of a full range of administrative methods for the oils studied

Synthesize the aspects of the body of aromatherapy research

Build on skills gained in Aroma 303 and continue to learn to interpret and evaluate aromatherapy research

Discuss the concepts in evaluating the validity of aromatherapy research

Demonstrate the ability to critically review aromatherapy research

Explain the hierarchy of research (case study, a case series, pilot study, and trials)

Understand the importance of and perform aromatherapy research in order to maintain a practice of independent study to maintain and further develop expertise in the clinical uses of essential oils

Understand the critical process and evaluate it with a critical eye and identify ways to perform your own research study

Understand the importance of and perform aromatherapy research in order to maintain a practice of independent study to maintain and further develop expertise in the clinical uses of essential oils

Demonstrate the ability to write a case study and/or report on aromatherapy

Required Course Pack:

ACHS eTextbook: Petersen, D. (2016). Aromatherapy Materia Medica: Essential Oil Monographs. Portland, OR: American College of Healthcare Sciences. [You should already have this from the AROMA 303 course. Students will have access to download the eTextbook in the online classroom] (Optional: Printed copy available for an additional fee)
AROMA 304 Practical Lab Kit:
- This practical lab kit includes the following certified organic or sustainably wildcrafted essential oils: Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Marjoram Origanum majorana, Vetiver Vetiveria zizanioides*, Thyme Thymus vulgaris*, Spearmint Mentha spicata, Patchouli Pogostemon cablin, Oregano Origanum vulgare, Nutmeg Myristica fragrans, Niaouli Melaleuca quinquenervia, Marjoram Origanum majorana, Jasmine Absolute Jasminum officinale, Immortelle Helichrysum italicum
- This practical lab kit also contains the following raw ingredients and practical lab supplies: 8 oz Sweet Almond Oil, 2 oz Sweet Almond Oil, 2 oz Cobalt Blue Bottle with White Spray Mister (Qty 2), 2 oz Fine Mineral Bath Salts, 2 oz Coarse Mineral Bath Salts, 1/2 oz White Clay For Bath Salts Kit, 2 oz Lavandin Hydrosol in Cobalt Spray Bottle, Nasal Inhaler (Qty 3-colors may vary), 2 oz Lavender Hydrosol in Cobalt Spray Bottle, Jasmine Perfume Oil, 4 oz Epsom Salts, 2 oz Corn Starch, 2 oz Corn Meal, 4 oz Cocoa Butter, 2 oz Citric Acid, 4 oz Beeswax, 4 oz Baking Soda, 2 oz Apricot Kernel Oil, 2 oz Anhydrous Lanolin, 8 oz Cobalt Square Jar with White Lid, Scent Trekker Diffuser, 4 oz Medium Round Stainless Tin
Online Materials and Library Resources (OMLR)