LESSON 1 BASIC AROMATHERAPY COURSE Lydia Aromatherapy Institute *** Published by Lydia Institute at Smashwords Discover other titles by Lydia Institute at Smashwords.com *** Copyright (c) 2012 by Lydia Institute Smashwords Edition License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. ***** LESSON 1 BASIC AROMATHERAPY COURSE Lesson 1 Basic Aromatherapy Course uses clear explanations and multiple recipes to teach you how to use essential oils and carrier oils. This book also teaches you the basic information and safety precautions you need to keep in mind when using aromatherapy oils and base oils to improve your physical, mental and emotional well being. Multiple pictures and practical exercises are also used in this home study course to help you learn the art and science of aromatherapy. Table of Contents Chapter 1. What is aromatherapy? Chapter 2. Lavender essential oil Chapter 3. What are carrier oils? Chapter 4. Sweet almond oil Chapter 5. How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Chapter 6. Home study review questions ***** DISCLAIMER This publication has been written to help you learn how to use essential oils for their therapeutic benefits. It is not intended to take the place of your doctor. It is meant to complement the treatment they prescribe and the advice they dispense. Therefore, if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications, consult your doctor first before making any changes. Though we have taken reasonable care to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate, neither the Author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused by the information or application of the information contained in this publication. The purchaser or reader of this publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information. *** Chapter 1 WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY? Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine which uses aromatic plant extracts known as essential oils for their healing benefits. *** Where Did Aromatherapy Begin? Aromatherapy has been used by mankind for many centuries. The book of Exodus in the Bible records the instructions that God gave to Moses telling him to prepare a holy anointing oil by mixing liquid myrrh, sweet-smelling cinnamon, sweet-smelling cane, cassia and olive oil. (Exodus 30:22-25) The Bible also tells us that Ointments and perfumes delight the heart. (Proverbs 27:9) Therefore, we should incorporate ointments and perfumes with essential oils into our lives especially when we are stressed so that we can delight ourselves naturally. ***** Chapter 2 LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL Name: Lavendula officinalis Method of Extraction: Steam distilled from the flowers Color: Clear to yellow Perfumery Note: Middle note Odor Intensity: 4 Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium Aromatic Description: Sweet, soothing, floral and fruity Characteristics: Nontoxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. Can be used on all skin types *** Lavender Essential Oil Safety Information 1. Do not use it in pregnancy especially the first 3 months. 2. Do not use it if you are breastfeeding. 3. Do not use it on young children as it may cause breast development in boys (gynaecomastia) and girls (pre-pubescent breast development). 4. Avoid it if you have low blood pressure as you may feel drowsy after using it. 5. Do not use it alone for more than 2-3 months as it may lead to sensitization. 6. Always buy your essential oils from a reputable vender to ensure you use high quality therapeutic grade essential oils in your blends. 7. Do not confuse lavender essential oil with lavender fragrance oils as the latter are not the natural healing essences. *** Therapeutic Uses Of Lavender Essential Oil Lavender essential oil is one of those aromatherapy oils with numerous therapeutic uses due to its numerous properties. These include but are not limited to: 1. Lavender has mentally calming and nervous tension relieving properties and is therefore useful for stress management, anger management and to relieve anxiety. 2. Lavender has cell regenerating properties which help the skin heal faster and with less scarring and thus it is used for minor bruises, burns, sunburns and cuts. 3. Lavender essential oil has antiseptic properties and thus is used for minor cuts, bruises, burns, insect bites as well as acne and chest infections. 4. Lavender has antifungal properties and thus it is used for athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. 5. Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties and thus it is used for eczema and psoriasis. 6. Lavender balances sebum (oil) production and is therefore useful for acne, combination, and dry skin types as well as dandruff. 7. Lavender has antifungal properties and therefore can be used for athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. 8. Lavender has an analgesic or pain relieving properties and thus is used for sunburns, arthritis, joint aches, muscle aches, spasms, sprains, backaches and painful periods. 9. Lavender essential oil has antibacterial properties and is therefore used for colds, coughs, and the flu. 10. Sleep inducing properties and thus it is used for insomnia or sleeplessness 11. Emmenagogue properties or the ability to stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and thus it is used for premenstrual tension (PMS) and assisting in child birth. 12. Insect repellant properties and thus it is used to repel mosquitoes and other insects as well as get rid of lice. ***** Chapter 3 WHAT ARE CARRIER OILS? Carrier oils, which are also known as base oils, are the oils used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin because essential oils are very concentrated substances which may cause severe reactions if applied directly to the skin. These oils which carry the essential oils to the skin, are usually vegetable oils with the exception of jojoba which is a plant wax. Commonly used carrier oils include sweet almond oil, jojoba, olive oil, apricot kernel oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, borage seed oil, cranberry seed oil, evening primrose oil, fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, hazelnut oil, hempseed oil, macadamia nut oil, peanut oil, pecan oil, pomegranate seed oil, rosehip oil, sesame oil, and virgin coconut oil. The specific choice of a carrier oil depends on its characteristics and the therapeutic benefit being sought. ***** Chapter 4 SWEET ALMOND OIL (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) It is one of the most commonly used carrier oils. It contains vitamins A, B, E, minerals and skin nourishing essential fatty acids. It has a sweet and nutty aroma. It is moderately light and has a medium viscosity. It absorbs into the skin moderately quickly leaving a tinge of oil on the skin surface. It is an excellent lubricant and is suitable for general massage on all skin types. It is an excellent moisturizer and thus beneficial for dry skin. It calms sensitive, irritated, inflamed and itchy skin. It can be used as a 100% base which means it can be used as the only carrier oil in the mixture. Do not use it if you have nut allergy. In summary, sweet almond oil is especially beneficial for normal skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, mature skin and eczema prone skin. ***** Chapter 5 HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS EXERCISES AND RECIPES We have just used lavender essential oil in our illustrations to cater for the beginner who may just have that one essential oil. If you have bought a different essential oil, you can still use it in these recipes instead of the lavender essential oil. If you have bought several different essential oils, you can still use these same recipes by blending your essential oils (see How To Blend Essential Oils) and then if a recipe says add 12 drops of lavender essential oil, you simply add 12 drops of your essential oil blend. Aromatherapy Bath. Create a relaxing bath by dispersing 12 drops of lavender essential oil in your warm bath water. You can also mix it with milk to help it disperse. Bath Salts. Mix 2 cups Epsom salts, 1 cup sea salt and 1 cup baking soda. Add 50 drops (2.5 ml) of lavender essential oil and a few drops of food coloring (optional) to create your own relaxing bath salts. Add one cup of these bath salts to your warm bath water for a relaxing soak. Bath Gel. Add 50 drops (2.5 ml or ½ teaspoons) of lavender essential oil to one cup (8 oz or 250 ml) of unscented bath gel or liquid soap to create a relaxing bath gel. Bath Tea. Mix 2 cups of herbs like lavender flowers, chamomile flowers and rosemary leaves with 15 drops of lavender essential oil and 1 cup of sea salt. Put the mixture in an air tight jar or you can add a scoopful of the mixture into a cotton bath tea bag and store the filled bath tea bags in the air tight jar. ***** Chapter 6 HOME STUDY REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What are the therapeutic uses of lavender essential oil? 2. Name all the situation when you would not use lavender essential oil? 3. How would you use lavender essential oil to help someone manage stress? *.*.*.*.* USEFUL LINKS Complete Basic Aromatherapy Course eBook Smashwords Basic Aromatherapy Course ***** Complete Basic Aromatherapy Course Paperback Paperback Basic Aromatherapy Course ***** Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 1 What is aromatherapy? Lavender essential oil What are carrier oils? Sweet almond oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 2 What are essential oils? Tea tree essential oil Olive oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 3 How are essential oils extracted? Eucalyptus essential oil Jojoba How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 4 How do essential oils work? Lemon essential oil Sunflower oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 5 Cautionary Measures when using Essential Oils Rosemary essential oil Evening primrose oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 6 How To Blend Essential Oils Geranium essential oil Apricot kernel oil Castor Oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 7 How To Dilute Essential Oils with Carrier Oils Peppermint essential oil Virgin coconut oil Carrot Seed Oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 8 Roman chamomile essential oil Marjoram Essential Oil Fractionated coconut oil Calendula Oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 9 Clary sage essential oil Orange Essential Oil Avocado oil Borage Seed Oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions Basic Aromatherapy Course Lesson 10 Ylang ylang essential oil Rose Essential Oil Patchouli Essential Oil Rose hip oil How to use essential oil exercises and recipes Home study review questions ***** Complete Basic Aromatherapy Course eBook Smashwords Basic Aromatherapy Course ***** Complete Basic Aromatherapy Course Paperback Paperback Basic Aromatherapy Course ***** Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils Lavender essential oil Tea tree essential oil Eucalyptus essential oil Lemon essential oil Rosemary essential oil Geranium essential oil Peppermint essential oil Roman chamomile essential oil Marjoram essential Oil Clary sage essential oil Orange Essential Oil Ylang ylang essential oil Rose Essential Oil Patchouli Essential Oil ***** Organic Carrier Oils Sweet almond oil Olive oil Jojoba Sunflower oil Evening primrose oil Apricot kernel oil Castor Oil Fractionated coconut oil Virgin coconut oil Carrot Seed Oil Calendula Oil Avocado oil Borage Seed Oil Rose hip oil ***** Organic Herbs Arnica Basil Calendula Chamomile Comfrey Lavender Peppermint Rose petals Rosemary Sage St John’s wort Thyme ***** Aromatherapy Accessories Essential Oil Warmers Aromatherapy Room Diffusers Aromatherapy Car Diffusers Aromatherapy Lamp Rings Aromatherapy Necklaces ***** LYDIA PHOTOGRAPHY INSTITUTE Digital Photography Course Digital Photography Course uses more than 100 color photographs and clear explanations to teach you the main principles of picture composition so that you can improve your digital camera photography skills and take better photos for fun or make money online passively by selling stock photos. The Complete Digital Photography Course eBook Smashwords Digital Photography Course ***** The Complete Digital Photography Course Paperback Paperback Digital Photography Course ***** Digital Photography Course Sample Chapter CHOOSE YOUR BACKGROUND To make your photos more striking, choose a background that is a complementary color to your subject so that you can help your subject to stand out. Complementary colors are those which are opposite each other on the color wheel. These include red and green, yellow and purple, blue and orange. The following pictures show a choice of background color that helps the subject standout. You can also simplify matters by using a dark background for a light subject and a light background for a dark subject. You can also choose a background that complements rather than competes with your subject. As you choose your background, avoid using a plain white background for a dark subject since white can cause a flare that will reduce the distinction between the subject and its background. In addition do not choose backgrounds that blend too much with the subject and do not let them stand out. Help your subject stand out by clearing the clutter from the background. You can do this by moving around the subject or shifting the position of the props or tilting your camera. The picture below is an example of a picture with a busy background that competes with the subject for attention. ***** The Complete Digital Photography Course eBook Smashwords Digital Photography Course ***** The Complete Digital Photography Course Paperback Paperback Digital Photography Course *****