Provide Aromatherapy to clients

This standard is about providing aromatherapy to clients. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and related aromatic extracts from plants, such as absolutes, hydrosols and CO2 extracts in holistic treatments to improve physical and emotional well-being. Aromatherapy treatments may include, for example, massage, inhalation, topical applications and compress. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.

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1. conduct an assessment and plan the aromatherapy programme
2. confirm consent to aromatherapy treatments
3. ensure that the environment meets the client’s needs
4. ensure that essential oils, carriers and equipment are suitable for use
5. measure and blend oils safely and correctly to meet the client’s needs
6. position the client for effective aromatherapy treatment and to give as much comfort as possible
7. administer oils and blends safely and correctly in accordance with professional codes of practice and legal requirements
8. massage and manipulate soft body tissue to enhance oil absorption and stimulate the natural healing process
9. make appropriate adjustments to the aromatherapy treatment to meet any changing needs
10. deal effectively with the client’s response to the aromatherapy treatment
11. check the client’s well-being throughout and give reassurance where needed
12. maintain the health and safety of the client, yourself and relevant others throughout the treatment
13. provide clear and accurate advice with regard to any required aftercare and self-care
14. evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of the aromatherapy treatment to inform future plans and actions
15. complete and maintain records in accordance with professional and legal requirements

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1. The history, principles and development of aromatherapy and its relationship to orthodox healthcare
2. The range, purpose and limitations of different aromatherapy treatments
3. The types of equipment used for aromatherapy including: steamers, vaporisers, diffusers, baths, compresses
4. The effects and benefits of aromatherapy depending on which essential oils are used
5. The consultation methods that are used for aromatherapy including: observation, smell, listening and touch
6. How to recognise cautions and contraindications to aromatherapy and the appropriate actions to take
7. How to recognise when aromatherapy may complement other healthcare which the client is receiving
8. How to recognise conditions for which aromatherapy is inappropriate and for which the client should seek advice from other sources
9. The circumstances when you may choose not to accept a client
10. How the results of the consultation inform treatment planning
11. How to construct a suitable treatment plan for your client’s specific needs
12. How to evaluate progress and identify whether any adjustments to the programme are required
13. How to assess the quality and safety of plant oils
14. The essential oils, hydrosols, CO2 extracts and absolutes and how to choose and use the appropriate beneficial aromatherapy products
15. How and why essential oils/absolutes can become adulterated and ways of detecting adulteration
16. The hazards associated with essential oils/absolutes – toxicity, irritation, sensitisation, carcinogenesis, phytoestrogens
17. Methods of extraction – steam distillation, expression, solvent extraction, enfleurage/maceration, carbon dioxide, hydrodistillation and the bi-products of distillation; hydrosols
18. The range of carrier media including: plant carrier oil, cream, lotion, gel, water, air and clay
19. Methods of extraction of fixed/carrier oils and production of carrier media
20. How essential oils/absolutes and fixed carrier oils can degrade and how to recognise this
21. The effect of essential oils/absolutes on the olfactory and limbic system with respect to psychological functioning and overall well-being
22. Possible pharmacological and metabolic effects of using essential oils/absolutes
23. The current legislative controls and guidelines for use of essential oils/absolutes and the implications of these for client safety
24. The importance of hygienic practice in the selection and blending activities
25. How to use a botanical classification system for identifying the main plant families of the essential oils/absolutes needed for treatment purposes and how this relates to blending
26. How to access current valid information on therapeutic capability of essential oils/absolutes
27. How to decide the suitability of carriers for the treatment methods agreed with clients
28. The appropriate dilution ratios for specific treatments and why this would be adjusted for different clients
29. Where and how to obtain good quality essential oils/absolutes and carriers and how to assess their quality
30. How to determine the suitability of particular essential oils/absolutes for clients
31. Contraindications to the use of specific essential oils/absolutes
32. Contraindications to the different uses of essential oils, in products
33. Contraindications to the use of essential oils around pets and other animals
34. Factors affecting the quality of all the essential oils/absolutes
35. The internal use of oils and use of oils neat on skin
36. Protocols for the blending of essential oils/absolutes
37. The possible interactions between essential oils/absolutes
38. The possible interactions of essential oils/absolutes with prescribed or self-medicated drugs or other substances
39. Methods for prevention of contamination of essential oils/absolutes and carriers and prevention of cross-infection
40. The effects on essential oils/absolutes to exposure to air, heat and light and the effect of ageing on essential oils/absolutes and carriers
41. The correct ways to store essential oils/absolutes to minimise spoilage or loss and prevent degradation
42. The correct ways to dispose of essential oils/absolutes to prevent/minimise risk to people, pets and the environment of contamination and toxicity
43. The purpose and benefit of testing clients’ reaction to essential oils/absolutes
44. How to access current data on the safe use of essential oils/absolutes in relation to their toxicity
45. Types of essential oils/absolutes and carrier media most likely to cause reactions and their possible effects
46. The importance of obtaining a signature of endorsement of verified essential oils/absolutes in blends to be used in client treatments and the possible implications if this is not done
47. How the blend best suited to the client’s health needs was identified
48. How the blend was verified as appropriate and acceptable for use with clients
49. Different uses of the blend: inhalation, creams and lotions, bath salts, balms and ointments
50. How the blend is used in treatment and how it could be protected against spoilage or loss
51. The type of aromatherapy massage methods including: effleurage, petrissage, vibrations, tapotement, stretches, pressure point stimulus
52. Physiological absorption via the soft body tissue, and how the oil absorption routes and processes may be enhanced or impeded
53. How the body’s systems and physiological processes are affected by deep relaxation, with particular reference to the nervous system
54. Common client reactions to aromatherapy massage of soft body tissue areas and adjustments to treatment which would be implemented in respect of each reaction
55. How to recognise when inappropriate degrees of pressure are being applied
56. Why it is important to maintain physical contact with clients throughout the aromatherapy massage during each sequence of the session
57. What steps should be taken at the end of the treatment session to minimise risks
58. Steps to be taken at the end of the treatment sessions for clients who are in a state of deep relaxation
59. Information which will enable clients to obtain optimum benefit from the use of essential oils/absolutes in blends and to minimise risks
60. The potential risks to clients from self-treatment and how these should be managed
61. The nature of risks associated with client self-treatment, and the practitioner’s responsibility in this respect
62. Anatomy, physiology and pathology including the interaction between the following systems:

Skeletal system

Muscular system

Nervous system

Sensory system

Endocrine system

Respiratory system

Digestive system

Urinary system

Reproductive system

Circulatory system

Lymphatic and immune system

Integumentary system

63 Psychological and emotional state

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This standard links with This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004):

Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and treatments

Related Functions

Principles of Good Practice

CNH1 Explore and establish the client's needs for complementary and natural healthcare

CNH2 Develop and agree plans for complementary and natural healthcare with clientsthe following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004):

Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and treatments

Related Functions

Principles of Good Practice

CNH1 Explore and establish the client's needs for complementary and natural healthcare

CNH2 Develop and agree plans for complementary and natural healthcare with clients

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2015

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Current

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Original

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Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

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2229

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Complementary, complimentary, natural, well-being, wellbeing, aromatherapist

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