Can I use essential oils without being qualified

[Nandy Joe]

Hi all,

I'm no doubt going to sound pretty stupid asking this question.. but here goes...

I have recently qualified in Swedish Massage and I would like to use aromatherapy oils on my clients. Do I therefore need to undertake an aromotherpy qualification to enable me to do this?

My understadning was that I need the qualification yet I have read an number of books advising on simple blends with a carrier oil suitable for massage and I'm thinking that if these books are providng the information and the oils are available to buy - am I able to use them?

Would I therefore be able to add, say lavender oil to a carrier oil and use it on a client if I advise them that I am not a qualified aromatherapist?

Thanks

 

[antivirus]

In theory and practise yes you can.

But what you may do by using oils whilst unqualified is to negate your insurance (if you have any).

Also my own opinion is that you at the very least undertake a workshop, or (as you are a qualified massage therapist) an accredited home study course.

 

[SSAMMMM.]

You could maybe use preblended oils with a carrier oil, but they aren't anywhere near as effective as making a fresh blend specific to your clients needs.

Don't risk your reputation, take a course and get qualified, you've studied too hard.

 

[im l]

Hi thanks both,

I really appreciate your comments, I have been looking into courses today as I do really want to expand on my knowledge but I was confused as to what was legally required and what wasn't before I could start to put any knowledge I learnt from reading about the oils into practice.


Do you recommend any particular home study courses? I've looked in to my local college but they don't run any evening courses in my area. As I work full-time, I'm thinking that a home study course may be the way to go.

Thanks again..

 

[Proud mommy of Logan! <3]

hi applewhite, i am currently doing a home study course with kevala called essential oils a-z. as i am already a massage therapist and wanted to learn about oils so i can use them in treatments. the course is very indepth and as you want to use them in massage there are case studies to do as well, which takes the course to diploma level. if you want any more info then you can pm me

 

[Bluenash]

Hi Applewhite

IME it's not the law that determines what therapists actually do but the insurer! I recommend you ask your insurance company what they require in order to insure you to provide that therapy. That's what I did and that's why I'm doing the course I'm on!

 

[Shallow Abyss]

Hi Chris

That's a very good point! I'll look into it with my insurers..

I've just had a look at the A-Z of oils you recommended Lisadawn and it seems to be exactly what I'm looking for it terms of what it covers.. will drop you a PM as i'd be interested in knowing a little more about how the support side works in practice etc..

Thanks x

 

[Jessica Cromwell]

And not all insurers cover for home study courses, so always best to check with them before you start.

 

[iaminvisible8888]

Hi Applewhite,

It's not a very good idea, because you will not know the contraindications for certain oils - i.e. not to use the citrus oils in the sun etc etc.

Please be responsible, no matter how much you want to use the oils, and become qualified before using on your clients. Though this does not prevent you using them on yourself and your consenting friends as much as you want.

Luv Binah
xx

 

[bedotwetrognja]

Best of luck with your home study, if that's the route you decide to take! Just a bit of advice from personal experience - please don't go with BSY. Their courses aren't accredited with any legitimate governing body, they laughed at the idea of regulation (saying it will never happen), and I really don't want you to make the same expensive mistake I made!!

I am still paying for courses I was sold under the impression that I would then be able to practice on the paying public. After subsequently completing several VTCT courses at a local college, I shudder to think of the injuries I could have unwittingly done to clients after just completing the BSY home study massage courses!!

 

[Tess]

I think as well as the insurance issue you also have to consider any clients (paying or not makes no difference).

If you use EO's and something happens do you want the responsibility of being sued? (again, insured or not makes no difference)

Patchouli

 

[etzmqlwt]

Even a consenting friend could sue someone if they did them any harm by their actions. Money does not have to change hands nor does it matter if the client has consented to the treatment.

If you harm someone or make them unwell by something you have done, trained or not, you (theoretically) could be sued.

Patchouli

 

[Stevie mac]

Thanks all -

I'm looking in to the A-Z of oils correspondence course which is run by Kevala. Has anyone completed their qualification through this route and if so, now that you have qualified do you feel that it gave you adequate knowledge in practice?

 

[indicabud1uk]

Hi applewhite

I am doing a reflexology course with Kevala and have a friend at the local college who has done the stress managment with them we have both been very impressed with the course content both written and practical, at no time have they pushed to get work returned and understand completely if you are having problems getting work done and will give plenty of time. Ok as yet I have not had to look at the insurance issue that i will have to address very soon.
I just wanted to say how brilliant they have been and for someone in your position its ideal, by the sound of it I was very much in the same boat and whilst I am also doing courses at the local college I do not regret working with Kevala.
Oh I am doing massage and aromatherapy at the local college and the answer is until you are qualified you cannot use oils you have blended in a massage you doing on a client.
Good luck Kathryn x

 

[? ?? ?r??? s??rs]

How could a client prove that an EO has harmed them in some way and sue?

 

[Alowalgor]

If a client had an aromatherapy massage and then immediately came out in blotches or weals then it could be asserted that the EO were the cause.

Take into consideration if an oil not suitable to skin use was used.

Poor quality/poorly processed oils were used.

Also that some oils are dangerous and should never be used or used with caution.......as follows


In relation to the above, here are some essential oils which you should be cautious about:
The following list is incomplete because there is a never ending flow of 'new' oils being pushed into aromatherapy. It is common to find that scientists have found very good therapeutic properties in some newly discovered plant oil. These scientists then appear at International conferences to talk about their findings. The next thing of course is everyone wants to buy this new magical oil. No one, the scientists concerned included, pause to give a second thought to the potential side effects of this wonderful new discovery. Unfortunately it is not until some poor individual has been harmed that someone gives safety a second thought. So the moral of all this is to be safe, stick to those oils the safety of which has been well documented. Amni visnaga: No formal safety trials are known.Benzoin resinoid and oil: A well documented sensitiser - RIFM recommend only grades processed to remove the allergens should be used in consumer products. These grades are not generally available via aromatherapy suppliers. See the article on benzoin.Bergamot oil expressed: A potent photosensitiser - see the article on Photosensitisation.Calamus oil: A potential carcinogen, and banned in cosmetics.Catnip: No formal safety trials are known.Cinnamon bark oil: An extremely powerful irritant and an even worse sensitiser.Chamomile moroc: Often labelled just as "Chamomile oil". This oil has not undergone Internationally acceptable safety testing.Copaiba or copahu: Can cause sensitisation reactions if it is old and oxidised.Eucalyptus chemotypes: The only types that have been tested are the E. globulus types and Eucalyptus citriodora.Inula graveolens: A related species Inula helenium root oil, is one of the most hazardous essential oils available. If the graveolens variety contains the same sensitising agents is not known. Therefore, until such time as formal testing has been done, it is unwise to use this oil on the skin.Kanuka: This oil has not undergone Internationally acceptable safety testing.Manuka: This oil has not undergone Internationally acceptable safety testing.Niaouli: The pure oil has not undergone Internationally acceptable safety testing.Peru balsam: A very powerful sensitiser. RIFM recommend "not to be used as a fragrance ingredient".Ravensara aromatica and other ravensara oils: None of these oils have undergone any formal safety trials. There also seems to be a lot of manufactured oil on the market which makes their safety suspect.Rosemary chemotypes: Only the common cineol types have been tested.Rue oil: A terrible photosensitiser and sensitiser, NEVER USE THIS OIL.Sassafras: This oil is restricted to such low levels in cosmetic products throughout Europe, that it effectively bans its use. Tests have shown it is possibly carcinogenic.Spikenard: Like it's cousin valerian, these oils have not undergone Internationally acceptable safety testing.Tagetes (sometimes mis-described as calendula): A powerful photosensitiser - RIFM say a no effect level is 0.05%. Therefore, to use it on skin exposed to the light would be foolish.Tansy oil (T. vulgaris): Extremely toxic, and of little if any use in aromatherapy.Tansy oil Blue: An incredibly hyped oil with no safety data, or sound therapeutic uses.Thyme chemotypes: Only the common phenol types have been tested.Verbena oil: An extremely powerful sensitiser - recommended by the RIFM "not for use as a fragrance ingredient". Significant numbers of adverse skin reactions are recorded from testing a whole range of verbena oils. There also seems to be a lot of manufactured oil on the market which makes their safety suspect.Wormseed (Chenopodium): Extremely toxic. Banned from general sale in the UK because of the deaths reported from its consumption in the past.Yarrow: Another essential oil that has not undergone formal safety testing.Source....http://www.aromamedical.com/index.html


It always amazes me that people think EO's are innoccuous.

Would someone who had not done a course know what not to use on a client who had high or low blood pressure, pregnancy, epilepsy?

It has to be recorde at treatment which oils had been used. If a client who was pregnant had a miscarriage after abortificant oils were used then I would think we could just start seeing someone potentially being sued.

It happens in America, just a matter of time before it happens here.

Patchouli

 

[Milk Maid]

Sorry, althought the topic of this link has nothing to do with EO's I just think it says it all re compensation culture.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7415511.stm

Patchouli

 

[Unknown Truth]

Thank you for the aromamedical link Patchouli. I'll study that in depth I think.

 

[i love Nami 8/6/07]

Hi Patchouli

That list of dangerous EOs is impressive! It includes oils which are on the syllabus for VTCT and which are in common use, such as benzoin and bergamot, but when I was researching these oils I could find no information about their dangers. (Excepting bergamot, and then the only danger I could find was photosensitivity. I don't use bergamot, because it sends me manic, but then my evidence is only anecdotal!)

Thanks for the link, I shall add it to my bookmarks.

 

[Dan P]

There is some very good toxicology info in the Tisserand/Balacs book, so some of it I was aware of. I also think getting good GC-MS etc info from suppliers is worthwhile as it gives you a rough idea of potential based on the chemical analysis although it won't necessarily give you say LD-50 dosage info.

I must say it is refreshing to see someone prepared to say that there are gaps in what is taught due to some tutors merely regurgitating what they have previously been taught without question. This seems to be a recurring problem and aspects have been discussed on other threads. Personally while the popular aromatherapy books can be useful to have available I am increasingly using the "weightier" tomes by the likes of Kurt Schnaubelt and Battaglia.