Aromatherapy: The Healing Power Of Scent
Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative therapy that uses essential oils to promote both physical and psychological health. It is often used in conjunction with massage, meditation, and other therapies to achieve healing. Aromatherapy has gained in popularity in recent years, and clinical aromatherapy (the use of specific essential oils for the prevention and treatment of health conditions) is being incorporated into treatment plans by naturopathic physicians, medical doctors, registered nurses, licensed massage therapists, and licensed acupuncturists as well as other healthcare providers.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to do the following:
- Define aromatherapy.
- Describe the historical use of fragrance and aromatherapy for healing.
- Describe how essential oils are absorbed into the body.
- Examine methods of essential oil extraction.
- Describe methods of essential oil application.
- Describe the clinical effects of essential oils using a body systems approach.
- Examine evidence-based clinical research regarding the use of aromatherapy for specific conditions.
- Discuss safety issues and contraindications in aromatherapy use.
- Discuss training and education for aromatherapists.
- Describe the key elements of some of the most common essential oil monographs.
Aromatherapy is defined as the use of essential oils from plants (flowers, herbs, or trees) as therapy to improve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Essential oils are most often inhaled or applied to the skin (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCIH], 2016).
Aromatherapy can also be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences; as such, it seeks to explore the physiological, psychological, and spiritual realm of an individual's response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual's innate healing process (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy [NAHA], 2017; Tisserand, 2017).
As a holistic practice, aromatherapy is both a preventive approach to health and an active method employed during acute and chronic stages of illness or disease. It is a natural, noninvasive modality designed to heal the whole person (not just the symptom or disease) and to assist the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, heal, and maintain itself through the correct use of essential oils.
Despite much scientific research and the fact that scientists have long known that certain smells have the power to evoke strong physical and emotional reactions, aromatherapy is often misunderstood and therefore somewhat marginalized. Because aroma literally means fragrance, a popular misconception of aromatherapy is that it involves only the inhalation of perfumes that have little therapeutic value.
Just how essential oils work is not entirely understood. Healthy humans can detect as many as 10,000 different odors but most people are completely unaware of the extent to which smell affects their daily lives (Fontaine, 2000; Keville & Green, 2009).
Some therapists believe that essential oil is the “soul” of the plant, interacting with the body to uplift the spirit and heal conditions of the body and mind (Rankin-Box, 1996). However, after a decade of developing protocols and policies, the use of aromatherapy is expanding (Buckle, 2016 Aromatherapy is now one of the fastest growing therapies in the United States and globally, and it is rapidly gaining scientific, medical, and popular recognition (NAHA, 2017).
Complete the course post exam (CE Test) with a score of 80% or greater. Complete all fields of the course evaluation form. Certificate of Completion is provided once the course post exam is passed per criteria above.
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California Board of Behavioral SciencesCalifornia Board of Behavioral Sciences Provider Number PCE 1564. Course meets the qualifications for the stated hours of continuing education credit for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
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NAADAC - The National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse CounselorsThis course has been approved by ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #813, ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
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NCBTMB -National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & BodyworkALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Provider Number 451562-11.
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Florida Board of Massage TherapistsALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Board of Massage Therapists
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Introductory
Foundational Knowledge
December 15, 2026
- Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC, HWNC-BC
- Caroline Young, MPH
Continuing education (CE) licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, are not well defined, and may change. These CE requirements may vary in terms of the number of hours required to the types of courses that must be taken. ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC recommends you contact your licensing board or accrediting organization for the latest continuing education requirements of your state or territory. Compliance with CE requirements is the responsibility of the individual health care provider. Health care providers must understand the CE requirements in their jurisdictions, and be sure they are up-to-date on any rule changes that affect their license. For further information, please see our Accreditation Information.
Every effort will be made to accommodate your special needs. To request accommodations, please contact us.
The authors/planning committee members have no conflicts of interests or relevant financial relationships to declare relevant to this activity.
No commercial support has been received for this activity.
Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC approval or endorsement of any commercial product.
None of the authors intend to discuss off-label uses of drugs, mechanical devices, biologics, or diagnostics not approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
