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Substitution Guide

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In a lavender field at golden hour, a woman holds a woven basket of freshly cut lavender.
Course

Advanced Graduate Program

Continue to hone your skill by learning advanced chemistry that supports therapeutic blending. You’ll practice using GC/MS reports as a decision-making tool, learn a variety of advanced blending techniques, and gain familiarity with a number of lesser-known essential oils.

124 readings · 5 videos · 1 quiz · 5 downloads · 16 activities · 1 certificateCertificate of Completion · 200 hours

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Inside the course

Welcome & Orientation

12 lessons

Meet your instructors, gather your supplies, and learn your way around the Component Database before the chemistry begins. The safety information in this orientation is the foundation for every blend you make in the program.

Welcome to the Advanced Graduate Program (video)
Meet Your Instructors (reading)
Tell Us More About You! (activity)
Supplies (reading)
The Art of Self-Study (reading)
Student Forum (reading)
Component Database Introduction (reading)
Component Database Directions (reading)
Aromatics International Component Search Function (reading)
Getting Started (reading)
Safety Information (reading)
Aromatherapy Resources (reading)

Module 1: Basic Chemistry and Monoterpenes

21 lessons

Begin with the atoms themselves: how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen bond to build the components in your oils. Then meet the monoterpenes, practice reading a GC/MS report, and blend with d-limonene, the pinenes, and beta-myrcene.

Introduction (reading)
Basic Chemistry (reading)
Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen Worksheet (reading)
Bonding and the Structure of Molecules (reading)
Learning Molecular Formulas (reading)
Chemistry 1 Video (video)
Terpenes: Monoterpenes Chemical Family (reading)
Monoterpene Worksheet (download)
Potential Drug and Essential Oil Interactions (reading)
Blending Synergies (reading)
Introduction to the Potent Percentage Charts 1 and 2 (reading)
d-Limonene Activity (activity)
d-Limonene Blend (reading)
Alpha-Pinene and Beta-Pinene Activity (activity)
Inhaler Blend with the Pinenes (reading)
Getting to Know Mandarin and Cistus Activity (activity)
Beta-Myrcene Activity (activity)
One Chemical Family, Multiple Components Activity (activity)
Module 1 Printable Activity Sheets (reading)
Module 1 Review Questions (reading)
Module 1 Summary (reading)

Module 2: Isomers, Sesquiterpenes and Carriers

11 lessons

Isomers explain how two molecules with the same formula can act so differently, and the sesquiterpenes show how a heavier molecule shapes shelf life and therapeutic action. Carrier oils and butters complete the module, and you finish by making a skin healing butter of your own.

Introduction (reading)
Isomers (reading)
Isomers 1 (video)
Isomers 2 (video)
Terpenes: Sesquiterpenes Chemical Family (reading)
Sesquiterpene Worksheet (reading)
Carrier Oils & Butters (reading)
Body Butter Video (video)
Skin Healing Butter Activity (reading)
Module 2 Review Questions (reading)
Module 2 Summary (reading)

Module 3: Monoterpenols and Sesquiterpenols

16 lessons

The alcohols come next: monoterpenols such as linalool and geraniol, and sesquiterpenols such as carotol, the molecule that leads cultivated carrot seed oil. You will learn to read a functional group, blend a hand gel and a salt scrub, and find your way through published research.

Introduction (reading)
Alcohols: Monoterpenol Chemical Family (reading)
Monoterpenol Worksheet (reading)
Linalool Blank Chart Activity (activity)
Monoterpenol Activity (activity)
Getting to Know Makrut Lime Peel and Rose Otto Activity (reading)
Foot and Shoe Powder (reading)
Make a Hand Gel (reading)
Salt Scrub Blend (reading)
Functional Groups (reading)
Research References (reading)
Alcohols: Sesquiterpenols Chemical Family (reading)
Sesquiterpenol Worksheet (reading)
Module 3 Printable Activity Sheets (reading)
Module 3 Review Questions (reading)
Module 3 Summary (reading)

Module 4: Phenols and Ethers

12 lessons

Phenols such as thymol and carvacrol, and ethers such as methyl eugenol, are among the most potent molecules on your shelf. This module shows you how to choose a concentration/dilution for them and puts them to work in a cold and flu lotion.

Introduction (reading)
Phenols Chemical Family (reading)
Phenol Worksheet (reading)
Thyme ct thymol Activity (activity)
Getting to Know Cinnamon Leaf Activity (reading)
Ether Chemical Family (reading)
Phenol/Ether Terminology (reading)
Ether Worksheet (reading)
Cold & Flu Lotion Blend (reading)
Module 4 Printable Activity Sheets (reading)
Module 4 Review Questions (reading)
Module 4 Summary (reading)

Module 5: Aldehydes, Ketones and Esters

21 lessons

Aldehydes, ketones, and esters each carry their own safety considerations, and May Chang, Eucalyptus dives, and Petitgrain show you each family in a bottle. Along the way you will learn how preservatives, antioxidants, and dispersants keep a water-based blend stable, and practice blending several oils at once.

Introduction (reading)
Aldehyde Chemical Family (reading)
Aldehyde Worksheet (reading)
May Chang Activity (reading)
Getting to Know Cinnamon Bark Activity (reading)
Antifungal Grout Scrub Blend (reading)
All About Preservatives & Antioxidants (reading)
All About Solubol & Dispersants (reading)
Antifungal Hydrolat Blend (reading)
Ketone Chemical Family (reading)
Ketone Worksheet (reading)
Ketone Blending Activity for Painful Joints (reading)
Getting to Know Rosemary ct. verbenone Activity (reading)
Scalp and Dry Shampoo Powder (reading)
Esters Chemical Family (reading)
Ester Worksheet (reading)
Getting to Know Wintergreen, Inula and Wild Carrot Seed Activity (reading)
Blending Multiple Oils (reading)
Blending Multiple Oils Activity (reading)
Module 5 Review Questions (reading)
Module 5 Summary (reading)

Module 6: Oxides, Plant Families and Plant Parts

13 lessons

The oxides, led by 1,8-cineole in Myrtle, Saro, and Niaouli, are the family most often reached for in respiratory blends, and this module includes our guidance on using them with children. From there you step back to see the whole shelf: component structures, plant families, and plant parts as three more ways to choose an oil.

Introduction (reading)
Oxide Chemical Family (reading)
Oxide Worksheet (reading)
1,8-Cineole-Rich Oils and Children (reading)
Antioxidant Components Activity (reading)
Antioxidant Lotion Blend (reading)
Component Structures (reading)
Plant Families (reading)
Plant Family Activity (reading)
Blending According to Plant Parts (reading)
Plant Parts Activity (reading)
Module 6 Review Questions (reading)
Module 6 Summary (reading)

Module 7: Hydrolats

9 lessons

Seven hydrosols for clinical and hospice care, from the still to the client's room: how a hydrosol is made and kept, and where each one belongs on the skin, in the mouth, and in the air.

Hydrolats in Clinical and Hospice Care (reading)
Frankincense Hydrolat (reading)
German Chamomile Hydrolat (reading)
Helichrysum Hydrolat (reading)
Lavender Hydrolat (reading)
Lemon Balm Hydrolat (reading)
Peppermint Hydrolat (reading)
Rose Otto Hydrolat (reading)
Module 7 Summary (reading)

Module 8: The Clinical Lessons

23 lessons

Aromatherapy beside the medical team: the hospital, the medication review, pregnancy and birth, children, care homes, cancer treatment and hospice, with recipes built on this course's own oils.

Working Alongside Medical Professionals (reading)
Four-Oil Formulary Activity (reading)
SOAP Note Worksheet (activity)
SOAP Note Worksheet Answers (reading)
The Clinical Intake: Reading Medications and the Whole Picture (reading)
Ruth's Medication List Worksheet (activity)
Ruth's Medication List Worksheet Answers (reading)
Chamazulene and the Yarrow Report Activity (reading)
Pregnancy, Birth, and the Early Weeks (reading)
Pregnancy Formulary Check Worksheet (activity)
Pregnancy Formulary Check Worksheet Answers (reading)
Birth: the Doula, the Midwife, and the Obstetric Team (reading)
Pack the Birth Bag Activity (reading)
Infants and Children in Clinical Care (reading)
A Child's Own Inhaler Activity (reading)
Children's Dilution Worksheet (activity)
Children's Dilution Worksheet Answers (reading)
Aging, Memory Care, and Long-Term Care (reading)
Chemotherapy and Cancer Care (reading)
Hospice and Palliative Care (reading)
Skin-Fold Powder Activity (activity)
Module 8 Review Questions (reading)
Module 8 Summary (reading)

Your Case Studies

8 lessons

Everything you need for your six client case studies is here: the guidelines, the intake and report forms, the safety guidelines and release form, and a complete worked example from one client's intake through three reports.

Welcome to Your Case Studies (reading)
Case Study Guidelines (download)
Safety Guidelines (download)
How To Communicate With Your Case Study Instructor (reading)
Using the Intake Form with Your Client (download)
Your Intake and Report Forms (reading)
Release Form (download)
Taking Your Case Studies Further (reading)

Assessments

6 lessons

The final exam draws on every module. Pass it, complete your case studies, and your certificate follows, along with a short survey and a look at where your studies can lead next.

In Conclusion (reading)
Multiple-Choice Final Exam (quiz)
Your certification (activity)
Certificate of Completion (certificate)
Short Survey (activity)
Next Steps (reading)