The Course
This course covers French Style aromatherapy focusing on the chemical composition and resulting pharmacology of essential oils. Formerly known as the 3rd Edition Certification Course. This is the classic course offered by PIA since 1985.
The Classic Correspondence Course is authored by Kurt Schnaubelt, PhD and comprises over 350 pages of clearly presented information on the most relevant topics in the field of aromatherapy. Self-study materials are precise, academic and comprehensive with over two dozen essential oil samples to illustrate the text and encourage experiential learning. Several sample questions accompany each part of the course, allowing students to test their knowledge and to become acquainted with the type of questions asked in the certifying exam. The course is broken down into 6 parts:
Part 1: Essential Oils
Part II: Structure and Energy
Part III: Treatment of Disease
Part IV: Cosmetology
Part V: Psychology of Fragrance
Part VI: Toxicology
International Certification in Aromatherapy
The Classic Correspondence Course offers International Certification through completing an exam. For details please click the CERTIFICATION & EXAM button. A fee of $150.00 is required to apply for the exam. The fee covers the exam, grading and processing, and forwarding of the transcript and certificate.
Contents
I: ESSENTIAL OILS
Part I contains basic information that is needed throughout the course. It provides substantial knowledge and a thorough analysis of essential oils. As successful aromatherapy is possible only with genuine and authentic essential oils, Part I addresses those questions that are essential to aromatherapy; the natural origin, the purity and the quality of essential oils. Over 25 samples provided with the course, from the mediocre to the finest, authentic, organic essential oils, give you experience in determining oil quality.
Applications of an essential oil in aroma-therapy also depend on its geographical origin and the precise identification of the plant from which it has been distilled. These topics are explained in theory and illustrated with appropriate samples of essential oils. The essential oil samples allow you to experience the full range of quality and fragrance; from drug store Eucalyptus to the true oil of Eucalyptus globulus, from synthetic Rose fragrance to true Bulgarian Damasc Rose, and from examples of various Chamomiles to three chemotypes of Rosemary oil..
Topics presented in Part I include:
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Production methods
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Basics of distillation
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Purity and adulteration
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Quality grades of natural essential oils
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Synthetic vs. natural
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Definition of botanical origin
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Chemical races
PART II: STRUCTURE AND ENERGY
Part II presents scientific research that supports wholistic views and theories. Its main purpose is to present the most important categories of chemical compounds found in essential oils and their effects on the body. This ranges from conventional pharmaco-logical data on the antiseptic properties of phenols or the mucolytic properties of ketones to the latest research on the anti-viral effects of essential oils. It also presents research aimed at better understanding the antiseptic effects of essential oils, which are well established but little understood. Effects of essential oils on the immune system are also discussed.
The discussion of the properties of essential oil constituents develops into an assessment of how the positive or negative electrical nature of an essence determines its action. Finally, electrical nature, color and the healing properties of an essential oil are united with the theory of the four temperaments.
PART III: TREATMENT OF DISEASE
Part III is devoted to modern medical applications of essential oils and aromatic hydrosols. Chapter A presents basic pharmaco-logical research on the properties of essential oils and their constituents. You will learn how French physicians successfully treat infections without antibiotics. Chapters B and C, written by Pierre Franchomme and Dr. Daniel Pénoël give exact aromatherapy and phytotherapy prescriptions for upper and lower respiratory tract and gynecological conditions. You will also learn effective treatments for rhinitis, rhinopharyngitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis, tonsillitis, viral bronchitis, whooping cough, and inflammation of the pleura. Prescriptions for gynecological conditions include nonspecific infections, bartholinitis, endocervicitis, Chlamydia, viral dysplasias and amenorrhea.

SAMPLE GRAPHIC, PART III:
The therapeutic effects of essential oils exhibit different types of synergistic action. Substantial clinical research demonstrates that a natural, complete essential oil is of higher efficiency than one or more isolated "active ingredients".
Furthermore, essential oils can provide more than one form of pharmacological action or healing property at the same time. For instance, an essential oil can be both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. To assess this form of synergy, the properties of the different types of constituents are taken into account. In the sample page above, a schematic representation shows how the expectorant effect of Cineole, the mucolytic effect of Pinocarvone, and the bactericidal and immunostimulant effect of Terpineol (all constituents of Eucalyptus globulus oil) combine to provide a truly wholistic healing effect for a typical catarrhal infection.
PART IV: COSMETOLOGY
Part IV is reserved for regenerative skin care. Skin metabolism can be improved tremendously by therapeutic use of essential oils. Part IV provides the basic information needed for a clean, wholistic skin care approach without the use of petrochemicals or other synthetics.

SAMPLE GRAPHIC PART IV: Part IV has been newly revised and brought into the second edition format. It includes some of the most successful formulations for regenerative skin care. Some uncommon oils with great importance to the skin are introduced in detail. A new section is included which derives the effects of essential oils from a biological viewpoint instead of a chemical one. The concept of Holistic Skin Therapy, first introduced by Dr. Dietrich Gümbel, is a great tool that helps the novice create effective and harmonious compositions.
The topics discussed in Part IV include:
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Penetration power of essential oil molecules
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Emulsifiers
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Typical applications of essential oils in skin care
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Aromatic facials
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Clays
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Hydrosols in skin care
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Natural facial mask compositions
PART V: PSYCHOLOGY OF FRAGRANCE
Part V presents in great detail the psychology of perfumery and underlying erotic effects of fragrance materials. The reader is introduced to the hidden structures and criteria of the great perfumes. Information on recreational uses of essential oils are interspersed among the perfumery topics.

In Part V, an elaborate system of understanding fragrance is developed which explains the emotional reactions that are often triggered by scent. The fragrance effect system also guides you in formulating your own fragrance compositions. The guiding principle of the fragrance system is polarity; opposites joined to create an entity. Fragrances can be erogenous vs. anti-erogenous or narcotic vs. stimulating. Positioning these fragrance attributes in a diagram, as shown, explains two more pairs of opposite fragrance effects. This diagram of eight different fragrance effects shows their polarity and represents a continuous odor spectrum. Specific perfume materials can be assigned to locations in this spectrum. The odor spectrum also correlates with the color spectrum of visible light.
The effects fragrances have on us are currently a popular research topic. A system devised by Dr. Paul Jellinek of Germany predicts the interplay of fragrances of different characters that combine to create the sensation of perfume. The system, although far from scientific, is convincing. It is based on empirical data and on known effects of the perfume constituents.
Part V explains what makes a fragrance erogenous. You will learn about perfumes: why it changes with time and fashion and how it effects us. You will see how the sultry compositions of narcotic and erogenous fragrances give way to the more stimulating and exalting perfumes that reflect today's life styles.
PART VI: TOXICOLOGY
Part VI focuses on the safe use of essential oils. Data gathered from published studies on the toxicology of essential oils are presented. Undesirable effects of essential oils are classified and discussed. Those oils with the highest potential of exhibiting toxic effects are identified and their respective toxicity is assessed.
Topics include:
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Hazards of essential oils on skin and mucous membranes
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Skin sensitization
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Phototoxicity
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Essential oil safety in skin care
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