0
In the US, aromatologist, aromacologist, aromatherapist and aromatherapy practitioner seem to be interchangeable terms for practitioners of "English style aromatherapy" (as it is known by the French) whereby low doses of essential oil are massaged into the skin in a suitable carrier oil.
In the UK an aromatologist is a practitioner of aromatic medicine, meaning that they use essential oils to treat clients in far higher doses than is usual with an aromatherapy practitioner/aromatherapist.
An aromatologist needs to be able to understand the chemical composition of essential oils and blend the oils to ensure their safe and effective application at high doses (sometimes internally) and, for this reason, practitioners often have a clinical background.
It is important to point out that essential oils can be dangerous if used incorrectly and they should NEVER be used neat or internally without thorough training.
The training is technically and academically challenging, but the discipline still centres very much on the holistictreatment of a presenting client.
In order to begin training as an aromatologist, an aromatherapist must have been a full time practicing aromatherapist for two years or more and be able to demonstrate a high level of technical knowledge about the essential oils themselves, by holding a recognised qualification and completing a course on the Chemistry of essential oils.
Aromatology is very effective in treating a wide range of conditions, although as yet relatively unknown in the UK. It is widely practiced in France where one must be a qualified medical doctor to undergo the training.
