An Introduction to the Formulation Practicum
A Practical Framework for Aromatherapy Practitioners, Students, and Home Users
Welcome to the Formulation Practicum. The purpose of this introduction is to define the Practicum’s scope, the rationale for this scope, and discuss learning expectations and limits. If at any point Practicum members wish to expand their formulation information beyond what is offered here, reach out to me and I can discuss with you further resources to suit your educational needs.
What is the Formulation Practicum?
The Formulation Practicum is the applied component of A Discourse on Aromatherapy. Designed for aromatherapy practitioners, students, and serious home users, the Practicum reframes aromatherapy formulation with respect to the limits of what can be safely and effectively formulated in a home or practice setting. The goal of this Practicum is ultimately to advance aromatherapy formulation as a disciplined practice and offer formulation solutions that are appropriate in the context of home or office-based practice. Its recommendations are predicated on two key factors:
Aromatherapy practitioners and home users formulate in situations where aromatherapy products must be immediately available for use.
For aromatherapy practitioners and home users, due to the immediate nature of their formulation requirements, it is not feasible to pursue stability and antimicrobial testing because these take time well beyond the aromatherapy consultation to be completed.
As such, all recommendations in this Practicum will account for what can reasonably be formulated under the noted circumstances without a laboratory infrastructure. This is to both make formulation accessible and for the protection of aromatherapy practitioners, home users, and clients alike.
