What is Clinical Aromatherapy?

Clinical Aromatherapy is the controlled use of essential oils and hydrosols for specific outcomes that are measurable.Clinical aromatherapy support can address physical, emotional, and psychological wellness goals. Essential oils and hydrosols may be combined or “blended” to holistically support multiple systems within the body.

Clinical applications include:

  • Inhalation – direct inhalation of essential oils through a personal inhaler, steam, nebulizer, or diffuser. Inhalation applications are effective for physical and psychological complaints – such as stress management, respiratory complaints, headaches, depression, etc.
  • Topical – via self massage, compress, bath, foot soak, bodywash, liniment, suppository or gargle. Topical applications are effective for physical and psychological complaints – such as muscular complaints, infection, gynecological disorders, insect bites, bruising, headaches, tension, depression, fatigue, etc.

*A note on ingesting essential oils: the medicinal use of essential oils should be under the supervision of a practitioner who has training in pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics– the study of how essential oils act as a drug/medicine in the body and what the body does with that drug/medicine (aka: essential oil). I am happy to provide you a referral to a physician or other medical professional with extensive research and education in the pharmacological application of essential oils, this is not a service I provide. Furthermore I caution buyer beware if you encounter an aromatherapy salesperson recommending internal use of essential oils to simply sell products.

What Happens in a Consult?

When a client books a consultation appointment with me we may meet in person at my clinic or over the phone/Skype. The latter is used when a client lives too far to travel to me or in the event it is quicker to setup a phone consult versus finding a time available at the clinic.

If this is my client’s first time meeting with me I will ask her/him to complete a detailed health history form prior to our visit. Upon reviewing the health history form we begin to dialogue about what expectations and goals my client has with aromatherapy. For example: Emily is a 36 year old mother of very energetic 4 year old and 2 year old boys, she’s hoping aromatherapy can help her with the debilitating migraines she gets a couple times a month, she also indicates she has a history of painful cramping around her menstrual cycle and she’s “constantly exhausted.” I’ll ask her questions about her sleeping patterns, and dig a little deeper into her menstrual cycle history and see if there’s a connection to the migraine patterns as well. We may come up with several blending projects for me: 1.) a relaxing room spray that is safe around the children and will help them wind down in the hours before bedtime, 2.) a migraine blend Emily can roll along her hairline when she feels early symptoms approaching, 3.) an energizing inhaler for Emily to turn to in the afternoon instead of caffeine. We may play with some combinations and I’ll take into account any smells Emily especially likes or dislikes when I’m in my blending room. After a couple of weeks, or sooner if needed, Emily and I will meet again for a follow-up to see how incorporating aromatherapy into her family’s lives are going. Symptoms may have shifted and blends may be adjusted or a new blend may be in order – perhaps her partner loved the family room spray and Emily wants to try that blend in a diffuser at night for sleep support for she and her husband.

My client and I are working together as a team to find ways to support wellness goals. I’ve worked with clients who want to create a custom perfume using only plant-based ingredients. Others are looking for support alongside their psychotherapy visits for depression or mood disorders. Many cases are multi-faceted – like a client newly diagnosed with breast cancer who needs an aluminum-free deodorant, a way to combat the chemo-induced nausea and numbness in her feet, and really needs a “chill pill” in the form of a personal inhaler that she can carry in her purse wherever she goes.

Aromatherapy is not a substitute for medical treatment, but it does complement a variety of therapies and treatments. When you work with me I want you to feel comfortable that I have been trained in the art and science of aromatherapy and continue my education as a certified professional. I do not diagnose, treat for specific illness, prescribe or adjust medication and I am happy to refer you to qualified medical professionals I have worked with.

How to Schedule

You can reach out by phone or email through my Contact Page to schedule a consult appointment. I keep morning, afternoon and evening office hours, just let me know what time(s) generally work for your schedule and we’ll get you set up! I look forward to helping you discover the wonderful word of aromatherapy! As you can see, it’s more than just a pretty smell!