When people first discover aromatherapy, it is often because they love the smell of essential oils.
Perhaps they have used lavender before bed, added eucalyptus to a diffuser or bought a beautiful aromatherapy blend and wondered what was actually inside it.
But aromatherapy is so much more than making a room smell lovely.
For me, that is what has kept it fascinating for all these years. There is always something else to learn.
My own journey with aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been part of my life and career for decades.
I finally made my career change in 2003, initially qualifying as an aromatherapist and setting up an online shop selling essential oils and aromatherapy products.
I went on to train in further complementary therapies and become a holistic therapist, before qualifying as a further education teacher in 2007 and establishing Holistic Therapies Training.
Since then, I have taught many different therapies and qualifications, but aromatherapy has always remained one of my favourites.
And there is a very simple reason for that.
You never really finish learning aromatherapy.
There are essential oils to discover, different extraction methods, plant families, chemistry, blending, safety, carrier oils, therapeutic properties and countless ways of bringing everything together.
More than twenty years after qualifying, I am still learning.
So, what actually is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the considered use of essential oils and other aromatic plant materials as part of a holistic approach to wellbeing.
Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic substances obtained from different parts of plants, including flowers, leaves, peels, woods, roots, resins and grasses.
And this is where aromatherapy becomes far more interesting than simply asking:
“What does this oil smell like?”
When studying an essential oil, we might explore:
• its botanical name
• the plant family it belongs to
• the part of the plant used
• how the oil is extracted
• its aroma and fragrance notes
• its main chemical constituents
• traditional and contemporary uses
• appropriate methods of application
• blending possibilities
• dilution
• contraindications and safety considerations
Suddenly that little bottle on the shelf has a whole story behind it.
Learning the oils rather than memorising a list
One of the traps students can fall into when first learning aromatherapy is trying to memorise enormous lists of essential oils and their properties.
Lavender does this.
Tea tree does that.
Peppermint is for this.
Geranium is for that.
But I think aromatherapy becomes much easier — and much more enjoyable — when you begin to understand the oils rather than simply memorising them.
Look at the plant.
Look at its family.
Look at the chemistry.
Smell the oil.
Think about its aroma.
Compare it with another oil.
Consider why you might choose one oil rather than another.
Then start thinking about how oils work together in a blend.
That is where the real learning begins.
Blending is part science and part creativity
Creating an aromatherapy blend is one of my favourite parts of working with essential oils.
You need knowledge.
You need to understand safety and dilution.
You need to know the oils you are using.
But there is also a creative element.
A blend can look perfect on paper and somehow not quite work when you smell it.
Another combination can surprise you completely.
That is why I always encourage students to actually experience their oils rather than learning solely from a textbook.
Open the bottles.
Use aroma strips.
Make notes.
Compare oils.
Experiment safely.
Keep records of blends you love — and the ones you definitely wouldn't make again!
Your nose is part of your aromatherapy education too.
Aromatherapy should always include safety
Natural does not automatically mean harmless.
Essential oils are concentrated substances and need to be used with knowledge and care.
Dilution, method of application, age, pregnancy, health considerations, medication, skin sensitivity and the individual essential oil all need to be considered.
This is one reason I am passionate about good aromatherapy education.
Social media can be wonderful for discovering new ideas, but a 30-second video cannot teach everything you need to know about essential oil safety.
Learning the reasons behind what we do gives you much more confidence than simply following a recipe you found online.
Welcome to the Karen Ashton School of Aromatherapy
The Karen Ashton School of Aromatherapy is the new home for this part of my work.
Some of you may remember it as The Aromatherapy Geek.
She hasn't disappeared — she's just had a bit of a glow-up!
This is where I will be sharing masterclasses, downloadable guides, charts, essential oil profiles, blending information, educational resources and plenty more for aromatherapists, therapists, students and anyone who simply wants to learn more about essential oils.
Whether you are completely new to aromatherapy or have been using essential oils for years, I hope there will always be something here that makes you think:
“Ooh, I didn't know that.”
Because more than twenty years after starting my own aromatherapy journey, I still have those moments too.
And that is exactly why I love it.
Karen x
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