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 milestone at a time.
Susan is a graduate of the Aromatherapy Certification (the Certification milestone), earning her Certified Professional Aromatherapist credential. One path, four milestones: every course and every hour carries forward, 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 courses are free, and your dashboard opens right away.
