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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Select appropriate essential and carrier oils for a therapeutic aromatherapy treatment of both a normal and a diseased body 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262402  Select appropriate essential and carrier oils for a therapeutic aromatherapy treatment of both a normal and a diseased body 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Integrated Health Professions 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  20 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable the learner who is required provide an aromatherapy treatment to select essential and carrier oils for a safe treatment.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain the concept of essential oils.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of safe practices in using essential oils.
  • Identify essential oils to be used in specific situations.
  • Select oils for the treatment of both normal and diseased bodies. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the concept of essential oils. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Essential oils are defined and categorised in terms of their common chemical constituents. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Oils include:
  • Monoterpene alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ethers, ketones, lactones, oxides, monoterpene hydrocarbons, phenols, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and sesquiterpene alcohols.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Treatment effects and/or expected reactions of chemical constituents on the body are explained as they apply during and after treatments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Essential oils are categorised in terms of their common uses in aromatherapy. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories include:
  • Safe use, potentially hazardous use, specific conditions for use and oils not to be used in any circumstances.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Dosage and methods of application are identified in terms of minimising adverse effects of essential oils on the body. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of safe practices in using essential oils. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Substances used for aromatherapy treatments are handled in accordance with accepted medical safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Substances used for aromatherapy treatments are stored and labelled in accordance with the requirements of the current relevant pharmacy legislation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Requirements include:
  • Types of materials for and restricitons of material types for containers, storage conditions including light, temperature, and shelf life.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Essential oil blends are formulated for particular patients in terms of the specific requirements for that patient. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the the essential oils to be used in specific situations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Essential oils are categorised according to their pharmacokinetic properties for entry into and exit from the body. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Properties include:
  • Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The pharmacological profile of various essential oils is analysed in terms of their suitability for different formulations for the treatment of specific conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Analyses include:
  • Botanical identity, geographical origin, plant source, main chemical constituents, therapeutic properties, indication and contra-indication for use, compatible oils, traditional uses, practical application methods, safety parameters, toxicity potential.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The physiological mechanism of olfaction is explained in terms of its effect in therapeutic aromatherapy on the limbic system, other brain functions and the psyche. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The psychological effects of olfaction are identified in terms of the effects of smell and the relationship between olfaction and emotion. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Psychological effects include:
  • Psycho-physiological effects of smell and the effect of smell on the psyche.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Select essential oils for the treatment of both normal and diseased bodies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Essential oils, carriers and creams are selected in terms of their chemical constituents for providing specific therapeutic outcomes for each of the body systems for both normal and diseased bodies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Body systems include:
  • Cellular, circulatory, respiratory, muscular, skeletal, reproductive, urinary, integumentary, nervous, lymphatic, immune, digestive and sensory systems.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Massage techniques are described in terms of the physiological effects on a diseased endocrine system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Anatomy, physiology and pathology.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems and making decisions using critical and creative thinking are demonstrated by the learner's ability to identify the different situations in which different oils may be used and make an appropriate selection. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organise and critically evaluating information are demonstrated by the learner's ability to interpret and identify different body systems and treatment techniques. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations is demonstrated by the learner's ability to communicate knowledge. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others are demonstrated by the learner's ability to select and blend appropriate essential oils for specific treatments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation is demonstrated by the learner's ability to identify the different components of the human body and relate in terms of how they are affected by aromatherapy. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65609   National Diploma: Allied Health Therapies  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30   


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.