This Course is sold out. The next course will open enrollment in February 2025. Join the waitlist below for more information.
Qualify to become a NAHA Certified Level 1 Aromatherapist with this comprehensive course. Expand your knowledge and gain a thorough understanding of the science of essential oils and how to use them personally and professionally.
Are you searching for information you can trust on how to use essential oils confidently?
Would you like to feel empowered to use aromatherapy safely and effectively for yourself, family, friends and clients?
Through this interactive, evidence-based, comprehensive course I will be providing you with the highest-quality aromatherapy education so you can feel 100% confident using essential oils safely to promote health and healing. After completion of this course, you will qualify to become a Level 1 Certified Aromatherapist through the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy and receive a certificate from The School For Aromatic Studies which is one of the leading aromatherapy schools in the world.
I only teach two aromatherapy certification courses a year. This course is currently full. My next course will open enrollment in February. To join the waitlist and learn more click below:
A clear understanding of how and why essential oils work to support the mind and body.
The history of aromatherapy and its modern development in evidence-based research.
The origins and purpose of essential oils within the plant.
How essential oils are produced and key elements in identifying quality.
The science behind essential oils, including how the chemistry of an essential oil supports its therapeutic properties.
All about the amazing sense of smell and how it can transform emotions and well-being.
How to formulate and blend essential oils to create a variety of aromatherapy-based products.
A common-sense approach to safety with essential oils.
All about 26 essential oils, including Latin binomial, safety information for each oil, plus the therapeutic and/or energetic properties of each individual essential oil.
An online 15-week Foundations Level 1 Aromatherapy Certification Program
Weekly live streaming classes with students from all over the world. (If you are unable to attend live, they will be recorded and available for you in the online platform.)
Unlimited lifetime access to all course materials and video content
A hardcopy and digital copy of the comprehensive foundation course manual
Downloadable and printable worksheets and guides
In-depth education on 26 commonly used essential oil monographs, the science of aromatherapy, aromatic chemistry, emotions, skin care and more!
Confidence in learning through 10 course modules and fun activities to reinforce learning.
Dozens of safe and effective aromatherapy recipes and blends to use when creating products.
Flexibility to learn through the course on your own time anywhere in the world.
AND
Free access to any online classes and webinars I personally teach for the duration of 2024.
A hardcopy of the comprehensive foundation course manual.
A hardcopy easy-to-use guide with how to make your own aromatherapy products.
Foundations Level 1 Course Outline
Introduction
Plants and Essential Oils
Exploring 24 Essential Oils
Essential Phytochemistry
Aromatherapy and the Skin
Our Sense of Smell
Methods of Application
Blending and Consultations
Aromatics in Health
The Business of Aromatherapy
Completion
FALL CLASS ENROLLMENT IS NOW CLOSED.
*Course includes hardcopy and digital copies of course textbooks.
Additional class supplies not included.
For a complete listing of class supply list click below.
Aromatherapy Course Supply List.pdf 140.9 KB
Holly Brandenberger
If you're ready to feel empowered and confident around essential oils & holistic health then you're in the right place!
I'm Holly, Registered Nurse and Certified Aromatherapist living near Seattle, Washington on my family farm. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2006 from Marquette University and have worked in a variety of nursing specialties including trauma,burns, post-surgical, endoscopy and hospital administration. I discovered aromatherapy in 2015 and loved how aromatherapy can strengthen the mind-body connection and initiate a relaxation response. I became certified through the School for Aromatic Studies and have been expanding my education ever since through specialized courses in utilizing aromatics for stress, trauma, and emotional wellbeing. I am also Certified in Aromapsychology.
I am the founder of Science of Essentials, an online resource that provides education worldwide regarding aromatherapy and holistic health. I currently am working with hospital systems bringing aromatherapy to the bedside to help support patients. My sincerest desire is to bless others with the knowledge I have gained through combining my education in modern medicine and holistic health.
Yes. The Foundations of Aromatherapy certification program is an online 15-week course designed in cohort learning to help keep you inspired and motivated to complete your certification by mid-November, just in time for the holidays.
With that said, we understand that "life happens" and all live streamed classes will be recorded for you to watch when it is convenient for you. You can also complete the course on your own time and based upon your own schedule and goals.
Online learning is makes learning easy and accessible. With online education you can take your course with you on any device you choose. Download pdf files to read later, watch video content, or view course content on your device.
This course officially starts the week of September 3rd.
Starting September 3rd, the live streaming classes will take place every Tuesday from 11:00-1:00pm PST. There will be an optional 30-minute Q&A session at the end of every class. The last live streaming class will take place on December 10th.
If you are unable to attend live, all classes will be recorded and available for you to watch on the online platform. All classes and recordings do have subtitles.
*If there is a popular request for me to host further classes to answer questions or dive deeper into a specific topic or host a class on a weekend, I am flexible, and my greatest desire is to help you further your knowledge and passion for aromatherapy.
Since this is a cohort learning program, our goal is to have you complete the program by July 1st. However, you are free to take as long as you need!
All students in the program will also gain free access to any additional classes and webinars I teach in the duration of 2024. (I typically host 1-2 classes a month). After enrollment, you will receive an email with information on how to gain access to additional classes to help expand your knowledge on a variety of aromatherapy and holistic health topics.
Yes! Students from all over the world are welcome to take this course. All course material is in English. In the past, we have had students join from over 30 different countries all over the world. All live classes and recordings do have subtitles.
I am SO glad you are here!
I cannot wait to help mentor you to become a Certified Aromatherapist!
This course officially begins the week of September 3rd. In the meantime, I will be mailing you the Foundations of Aromatherapy Course Manual, Essential Oil Monograph book, Methods of Application book and DIY aromatherapy product guide. Feel free to start looking through it when you receive it. You will find the class supply list as well as live streaming class dates below.
Welcome to week 1 in Foundations of Aromatherapy Certification Course!
This week we will be learning about the foundation and language of aromatherapy and the holistic framework. We will begin to learn about essential oil monographs and dive deep into lavender essential oil. We will also be making our first aromatic product: aromatic spritzers!
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded immediately following class on Tuesday around 2:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
Homework this week:
Watch live-steaming class
Read Module 1 in textbook (pages 1-23)
Read about Lavender in Essential Oil Monograph textbook: Pages 65-69. I highly encourage you to complete the Cultivating Relationship Worksheet each week to enhance your learning about each essential oil.
Read through the Aromatic Spritzer: Module 7, pages 45-51 and make either a linen spray, room spray or aromatic spritzer
Look at resources provided this week on the course platform so you can either print them out or reference them later if needed. (Glossary of terms, language of aromas, dilution guide, lavender endocrine studies)
Complete this week's quiz
If you prefer to read digitally, here is the content from the Foundations book for this week:
Welcome to week 2 in Foundations of Aromatherapy Certification Course!
***Note: This week's information will update the Saturday before the class.
This week we will be learning about medicinal plants and the biological role of essential oils within plants. We will begin to learn about methods of extraction as well as CO2 extracts and absolutes. We will go over the monograph for Roman Chamomile and make an aromatic lotion.
*Note: We will be making our own aromatic cream during week 7 when we are going over module 5 about skin care.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 3:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
If you prefer to read digitally, here is the content from the Foundations book for this week:
Welcome to week 3 in Foundations of Aromatherapy Certification Course!
This week we will be learning about the basics of essential oils as well as quality and safety. We have a lot of great information to learn this week! We will go over the monographs for Eucalyptus Globulus and Vetiver and make an aromatherapy inhaler.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 3:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
Homework this week:
Watch live-steaming class.
Read Module 2 in textbook (pages 27-58)
Read about Eucalyptus globulus in textbook (module 3: pages 32-35) and Vetiver (module 3: pages 104-106). I highly encourage you to complete the Cultivating Relationship Worksheet each week to enhance your learning about each essential oil.
Read the information about Inhalation in textbook (module 7: pages 57-60) and make an aromatherapy inhaler for yourself or to gift to a friend.
Look at the resources provided this week on the course platform so you can either print them out or reference them later if needed. (Aromatherapy Inhaler recipes, Safety Guide, Differences in eucalyptus species, Quality Assurance). These are additional resources that can help expand your knowledge this week. I have created them as easy guides to look back on if you have additional questions.
This week we dip our toes into aromatic chemistry! I hope you enjoy learning a little more about how and why essential oil components work to support the mind and body! Try not to feel overwhelmed by this unit or worry about memorizing the contents. The chemistry units are to serve a resource to help supplement your knowledge and learn more about safety and therapeutic indications.
We are covering 5 aromatic chemical families this week:
Monoterpenes
Sesquiterpenes
Monoterpene alcohols
Sesquiterpene alcohols
Furanocoumarins
In addition, we are covering the citrus family monographs: Grapefruit, Lemon, Mandarin, and Sweet Orange. Lastly, we are letting our mind and body relax after learning about all this science and making an aromatic bath salt.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
This week we will continue to learn about aromatic chemistry! These chemistry units are to serve a resource to help supplement your knowledge and learn more about safety and therapeutic indications. As we continue to learn about aromatherapy, you will begin to form connections with the chemical families and the ways they play a role within the individual essential oils.
We are covering the remaining 6 aromatic chemical families this week:
Esters
Aldehydes
Ketones
Phenols
Phenylpropanoids
Ethers
In addition, we are covering 3 essential oils that are prominent in some of these chemical families:
Lemongrass
Fennel, sweet
Rosemary
This week we begin our Aromatherapy and Skin Unit! This is a great topic to learn about as aromatherapy is incredibly helpful for skin health. We will be splitting up this module and learning it over the next two weeks.
This week we will be learning about skin anatomy, foundations of skin health, skin types, and skin care routines. We will be talking about helpful essential oils and hydrosols in skin care. We will also dive into the monographs of two essential oils that really thrive in supporting skin health: Helichrysum and Tea Tree. In addition, we will be making a cleanser and toner!
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
This week we will continue our Aromatherapy and Skin Unit! We will learn all about core and enhancing carrier oils as well as common skin conditions. We will also be learning more about a great essential oil for skin: Geranium! We will also learn about face and body oils, body butters and creams.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
We will not be studying a new module this week to allow those students a break to digest what they have learned so far. We will be meeting this week at our usual time to do a Question and Answer session for those who are interested.
This week we will are learning all about our sense of smell! We are talking about the anatomy of our olfactory system, our limbic system, the stress response and how aromatherapy can help play a role in calming the mind and body. We will also be covering the essential oil monographs of Frankincense and Cypress and making an aromatherapy roller.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 3:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
This week we will are beginning our unit on Methods of Application. There are so many different ways we use essential oils to support the mind and body. This week we will talking all about topical use of essential oils. We will be making an aromatherapy gel and learning about the monographs of Patchouli and Peppermint essential oil.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
This week we will be finishing our unit on "Methods of Application" and talking all about inhalation. Inhalation is one of the quickest and easiest ways to experience the benefits of essential oils for emotional well-being. We will also be learning about the monographs of Scots Pine and Laurel essential oil and making an aromatherapy salve.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
This week we are beginning to connect everything together and talking about aromatherapy consultations and blending. We will also learn about the monograph of Ylang Ylang.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
We started module 9 this week learning about integrating aromatherapy into healthcare and self-care. We learned about the respiratory, digestive and musculoskeletal systems. In addition, we expanded our knowledge on two essential oils that have system affinities with the information learned this week: ginger and juniper berry. We also learned how to make deodorant.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
We continue module 9 this week learning about integrating aromatherapy into healthcare and self-care. This week, we will learn about using aromatherapy for women's health, the circulatory system and with children. In addition, we dove deep into learning about the essential oil monograph of clary sage. We also learned how to make bath bombs.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
This week we are completing the last module of the course. Aromatherapy is a very dynamic field which allows you to decide which pathway you would like to take with it to integrate it into your life and your work. This week, we learn about the basics of developing a business in aromatherapy. As an extra bonus for this class, we are also learning about the monographs of bergamot and copaiba essential oil this week.
To receive certification, you will need to:
Complete 5 case studies. *You can do your case studies on friends, yourself, family members, and/or existing clients. You will email these to me (Holly@scienceofessentials.com) when you complete them.
See "Case Study Information" for more information.
Complete Final Exam and score higher than 75%.
The live streaming classes and PowerPoints from the class will be uploaded shortly following class on Tuesday around 4:00pm PST. If you are unable to attend the class, I encourage you to watch the replay of the video for important announcements and information regarding this week's lesson.
