Susan Polniaszek
Aromatherapy Certification Program graduate“I approach aromatherapy from a clinical perspective: what the chemical components do and how synergy can multiply the effect.”
How a skeptic found her evidence.
I am a retired senior health/aging policy analyst. Two years ago a daughter of a friend gave me some lavender sugar scrub. I loved the scent. Six months later, when life in my retirement community was beginning to stir after the isolation of the pandemic, the staff offered a class on aromatherapy.
With a Master of Public Health, I am a critical thinker and am skeptical on most alternative health care. I asked the staff where I could find more information. She referred me to Aromahead Institute and Aromatics International. I read many books, bought some essential oils, and participated in any free webinar I could find. I could not find what makes essential oils work, if in fact they did. Then I learned about chemical families. I taught chemistry early in my career and took several organic chemistry courses in my pre-med coursework, so I knew this is what I had to learn.
I spent most of my career researching aspects of our health care and long-term care systems. I gave lectures, seminars, and talks nationally and wrote several books and numerous articles. Now being retired, I spend my days helping residents in the continuing care retirement community where I live and playing tennis every day. Good life but I missed learning, solving problems, and educating consumers.
I am retired with a lot of time on my hands, and not in need of earning an income at this time. I do not plan to develop a business selling essential oils. Instead, I plan to lecture about aromatherapy and how essential oils can help older individuals.
I also plan to conduct research on essential oil blends to help the elderly with the many aches, pains and problems as the result of chronic conditions and the aging process. I may publish some of my research because more information is needed on using essential oils for the elderly.
I started the Aromatherapy Certification Program and immediately knew that this was what I was looking for. The lessons were great, but the real learning came when I started my case studies. Throughout the course the instructors and resources were excellent. I earned my certification 3 and a half months after I started (I am retired).
What made the difference, in Susan’s words.
Susan arrived a self-described skeptic with a Master of Public Health. Here is what convinced her, in her own words.
The case studies make it real
The lessons teach; working with real people is where it all lands.
The lessons were great, but the real learning came when I started my case studies.
Evidence a skeptic can accept
The program stands on research, which is exactly what a public health scientist looks for.
Aromahead gave me the framework in which I could empirically know how essential oils work using evidence-based research.
Momentum from start to finish
With support on every side, she carried her certification straight through.
Throughout the course the instructors and resources were excellent. I earned my certification 3 and a half months after I started (I am retired).
A clear path, one step at a time.
Susan is a graduate of the Aromatherapy Certification (Pathway 3), earning her Certified Professional Aromatherapist credential. It is a cumulative path: each step includes everything before it, and you can climb as far as you like, at your own pace. See the full path →
Start where Susan started.
Susan spent a career in health policy asking hard questions, and this training stood up to them. It can stand up to yours. Your first pathway is free, and your Pathway 1 dashboard opens right away.
