Aromatherapy Training Course

Aromatherapy is a complementary approach that uses aromatic plant oils to support comfort and wellbeing. In health and social care, it is most often used to promote relaxation, emotional comfort, and a calm environment as part of person-centred care. It is not a replacement for clinical assessment, medicines, or prescribed treatment.

This free online course introduces aromatherapy in the context of health and social care. It explains what aromatherapy is, how essential oils are used, how scent may affect comfort and wellbeing, and the professional boundaries needed to use aromatherapy safely. It also explores consent, risk, workplace policies, and the importance of recording responses appropriately.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Aromatherapy is sometimes used in care settings to support comfort during routines such as personal care, rest, relaxation, or end-of-life support. When used safely and with consent, it can be a gentle addition to everyday care. However, essential oils are concentrated substances and can cause irritation, breathing problems, or distress if used incorrectly.

This free aromatherapy course will help you to:

• Understand what aromatherapy is and how it fits within complementary therapy.
• Recognise the principles and purpose of aromatherapy in health and social care.
• Understand what essential oils are and how they are extracted and used.
• Identify common essential oils used in care settings and their basic properties.
• Explore how scent may affect the body, mind, and emotional wellbeing.
• Recognise possible benefits, such as relaxation, comfort, and support for routines.
• Understand health and safety requirements, including dilution, storage, and precautions.
• Recognise contraindications and the limits of aromatherapy within a care role.
• Apply person-centred practice, including consent, choice, observation, and recording.
• Know when advice should be sought or aromatherapy stopped.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define aromatherapy and explain its purpose in health and social care.
• Describe how aromatherapy is used as a complementary therapy.
• Define essential oils and explain how they are extracted.
• Identify common essential oils used in care settings.
• Describe how scent can influence comfort, mood, and wellbeing.
• Explain how aromatherapy may support relaxation, sleep routines, and emotional comfort.
• Identify basic health and safety considerations when using aromatherapy.
• Explain the importance of dilution, correct usage, and storage.
• Recognise common contraindications and precautions.
• Understand the role of consent, individual choice, and person-centred care.
• Describe the limits of aromatherapy within a care role and the need to follow workplace policy.
• Observe, record, and review individual responses safely and appropriately.

Aromatherapy in Health and Social Care Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Aromatherapy
Learners will be introduced to aromatherapy as a complementary approach used to support comfort and wellbeing in health and social care. This module explains what aromatherapy is, the principles that guide its use, and its purpose as a person-centred, supportive practice rather than a replacement for clinical care. Learners will also explore the history and development of aromatherapy and how it has become part of wellbeing support in some care settings.

Module 2: Understanding Essential Oils
This module focuses on essential oils and their role in aromatherapy. Learners will explore what essential oils are, how they are extracted, and the key properties that affect how they should be stored, prepared, and used. Common essential oils used in care settings are introduced, alongside an explanation of why concentration, volatility, and product variation matter in safe practice.

Module 3: How Aromatherapy May Affect Wellbeing
Learners will examine how scent can affect the body and mind through sensory and emotional pathways. This module explains the link between smell, memory, emotion, and wellbeing, and explores examples of how aromatherapy may support relaxation, reassurance, comfort, and routine. Learners will understand that responses differ between individuals and that observation and review are essential.

Module 4: Uses of Aromatherapy in Care Settings
This module explores practical ways aromatherapy may be used in residential care, community support, hospice care, dementia services, learning disability settings, and mental health environments. Learners will consider how aromatherapy may support relaxation, sleep routines, mood, and comfort when used safely and appropriately within a care plan.

Module 5: Health and Safety, Dilution, and Precautions
Learners will develop an understanding of the main safety considerations linked to aromatherapy. This module covers allergy and sensitivity risks, ventilation, storage, spill management, fire safety, and incident reporting. Learners will also explore the importance of correct dilution, safe application, and common contraindications and precautions, including respiratory conditions, skin problems, pregnancy, epilepsy, and possible sensitivities.

Module 6: Professional Boundaries and Workplace Procedures
This module focuses on the role of aromatherapy as a complementary therapy within regulated care. Learners will understand the limits of aromatherapy within a care role, the importance of not making medical claims, and when to seek advice or escalate concerns. The module also explains why workplace policies and procedures must be followed for approved products, competence, risk assessment, infection prevention, record keeping, and safeguarding.

Module 7: Person-Centred Use, Observation, and Review
In the final module, learners will explore how to identify individual needs and preferences before using aromatherapy. This includes listening to the person, checking health information, considering cultural meaning and sensory needs, and agreeing realistic aims. Learners will also understand how to observe and record responses to aromatherapy, when use should be stopped, and when further advice should be sought to ensure safe, respectful, and person-centred practice.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Health and social care workers.
• Care assistants and support workers.
• Residential and domiciliary care staff.
• Hospice and palliative care workers.
• Managers and supervisors in care settings.
• Anyone wanting to understand the safe use of aromatherapy in care environments.

No previous knowledge of aromatherapy is required.

FAQ

Is aromatherapy a medical treatment?
No. Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy used to support comfort and wellbeing. It does not replace medical care or prescribed treatment. This courses does qualify you as a therapist. You should always follow your own organisation’s policies and procedures when introducing aromatherapy or other complimentary therapies.

Can essential oils be used directly on the skin?
No. Essential oils should not be applied neat to the skin in care settings. They should only be used with correct dilution and according to workplace policy.

Does aromatherapy suit everyone?
No. Some people may dislike certain smells or experience irritation, headaches, breathing discomfort, or distress. This is why consent, observation, and review are essential.

Is this course relevant to UK health and social care?
Yes. The course reflects safe practice, person-centred care, and workplace expectations in England.

How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 1 hours to complete.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.

Is the course CPD accredited?
Courses are not currently CPD accredited, but accreditation is planned.

Aromatherapy can be a useful supportive option in health and social care when it is used safely, respectfully, and within clear professional boundaries. By understanding its purpose, limits, and risks, staff can make informed choices that support comfort and wellbeing.

Enrol now to build your understanding of aromatherapy in health and social care.