Aromatherapy: Clinical Use of Essential Oils

In this module, you'll get an overview of what aromatherapy is along with its historical, current, and potential roles in healthcare. We’ll also discuss the evidence base for aromatherapy and identify what information is available in an essential oil monograph.

Now that you’ve gotten an overview of aromatherapy and its uses, we’ll identify some important safety considerations to keep in mind when using essential oils, including skin reactions, special patient populations, product quality indicators, and FDA regulations. By the end of this module, you will have the skills to assess if a patient is a good candidate for essential oils and identify quality products.

In this module we’ll be exploring application methods of essential oils. Inhalation, compresses, baths, and diffusion are just a few of the ways essential oils can be used to enhance wellness. We’ll also examine the use of essential oils for self-care and discuss how they can benefit you in your personal life.

In this module we’ll discuss essential oils that can be used to manage pain and promote relaxation. How do essential oils work to reduce the perception of pain? What should you do if a patient wants to use essential oils for relaxation but is averse to certain scents? We’ll take a look at sweet orange, lavender, and bergamot monographs, as well as sweet marjoram and roman chamomile.

In this module we’ll explore essential oils that can be used to manage nausea and fatigue, including peppermint, spearmint, lemon, and grapefruit. We’ll identify therapeutic properties and safety considerations of each so you can feel confident using them in your practice.

In this module we will discuss how to establish and sustain a clinical aromatherapy program. We’ll provide you with some handy resources to consult when developing a program, including use tables, example policies, and a checklist for when you’re ready to put things into action.