Classes and Education

Much of my education has come from Dr. Christoph Streicher and for several years I sponsored his classes here in the Seattle area. Because my business now requires ALL my time and energy, I am no longer able to personally bring Dr. Streicher to our area.

Dr. Streicher and The Foundation of Aromatherapy Education & Research offer a series of classes leading to aromatherapy certification, giving students a solid introduction to aromatherapy. The Foundation is also responsible for ensuring the quality of Amrita's essential oils by use of gas chromatographic testing.

I highly recommend these classes to all who seek solid, scientific, and what I call "left brain" aromatherapy education.

If you would like to receive information as to how you can sponsor these classes in your area please call the Foundations of Aromatherapy at 641.472.2422 ext. 218.

This certification course is designed to give an overall understanding of aromatherapy and its many benefits. It is basic, complete and accurate information for using aromatherapy as a healing modality.

To make this information more accessible, we have designed the course so that each class is complete in itself. Those who are not seeking certification, but want to learn more about this art and science for their own or family care are welcome to take any of the classes. A certificate of participation will be awarded at the end of each class.

Those who wish to become certified aromatherapists should plan to take each class in order and complete the homework. Each class will build upon and deepen your understanding of the topics presented in the previous course, and your home practice. Certificates of completion for each class are awarded after the homework is handed in. Certification in the Basic Foundations of Aromatherapy will be awarded after completion of Class IV

Class I, II and III are taught throughout the United States at regular intervals, where they are sponsored by retail stores, massage schools, hospitals, estheticians, and others. If you would like to attend one of these classes or sponsor a class in your own area, please call the Foundation at 641.472.2422 ext.218. Class III and Class IV are offered twice a year at Amrita Aromatherapy in Fairfield,Iowa

Dr. Christoph Streicher will provide basic, practical knowledge for the individual as to how to use aromatherapy for self and family care. This course will provide valuable knowledge for sales and retail personnel.

Day 1: A Brief History of Aromatherapy: How it relates to the practice today, including information on books, organizations, schools, and certification. Growth, Production & Distillation of Essential Oils: This section covers how different growing techniques affect the oils chemically, the correct handling of plant materials, the art and science of distillation extraction, and other extraction methods. Also included is basic aromatherapy botany: naming families, chemotypes, and subspecies, and understanding oils with confusing names. Profiles of 10 Essential Oils: Oil profiles include: botanical/common name, country of origin, description of plant, part of plant used in distillation, production method, physical characteristics of oil, chemical components, historical uses, interesting facts, properties, physical uses, emotional uses, key use, safety data & precautions.

Day 2: Profiles of 10 more Essential Oils: Oil profiles include: botanical/common name, country of origin, description of plant, part of plant used in distillation, production method, physical characteristics of oil, chemical components, historical uses, interesting facts, properties, physical uses, emotional uses, key use, safety data & precautions. Basic Aromatherapy Chemistry in relation to safety. Being an informed consumer. Safety considerations. Methods of Administration: Including how to choose the most suitable method of application, carrier oils and emulsifiers. Basic Blending: Types of blending, therapeutic blending, note values, elements, perfuming, rules of thumb, creating your own blend and the importance of documenting and record keeping.

Length of class: Two 8-hour days including lecture, demonstration, and lab time.

Homework: Completion of the 'Lab' sections of the Basic Foundations of Aromatherapy workbook (included in the course cost), including profiles on 20 essential oils.

Certificate of Completion: Representing partial fulfillment of total course requirements and total fulfillment of this level, is awarded after satisfactory completion of the homework in Class I.