In any field of study and practice, there is a tendency tothink that the important research is published in journalswhere findings are reviewed by specific peers. The truth isthat awareness of discoveries in other fields sparksinnovation within a discipline. With this in mind, the ARCBoard offers the following introduction to scientific reportsthat might impact the field of Aromatherapy. Below aresynopses of major findings, their relevance to thearomatherapist, and complete citations to the completearticles.

“Effect of Essential Oils on Pathogenic Bacteria.”Pharmaceuticals, December 2013. (Free on-line.)

The growing resistance of microorganisms to prescriptiondrug therapy has prompted interest and research in plantsand their derivatives. This article summarizes the currenttheories and science surrounding the ways essential oilsinteract with pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positivebacteria. It summarizes the effects of essential oils onbacteria and then dives deep into the current knowledge ofmechanisms of action on cells, beginning with the cellmembrane and moving from cell shape deep inside to thegenes and proteins that compose the cells. It ends with adiscussion of how essential oils are promising as agents thatare anti-pathogenic and do not encourage resistance straindevelopment because they decrease the ability of bacteria tocommunicate to each other and to higher organisms throughquorum sensing (think social media on the cellular level).While this summary is accurate, it does not describe thelimitations in performing research on the effects of essentialoils on bacteria.

“The Mode of Antibacterial Action of Essential Oils.”Science Against Microbial Pathogens: CommunicatingCurrent Research and Technological Advances. 2011. (Freeon-line.)

This chapter does a fantastic job of summarizing the factorsthat influence the determination of antimicrobial activity insection 3.1. It really helps the reader who might not be amicrobiologist to understand the laboratory andexperimental conditions of the research that is reported inthe literature. The article explains the origin of the

processes currently used and that there are no standardizedtests for the evaluation of antibacterial activity of essentialoils. The major limitation is that high viscosity and waterinsolubility make for irregular distribution and unequaldilution of the essential oil throughout the culture media.The article then expounds on the seven key factors inessential oil activity evaluation.

“Effect of Odor on Emotions, with Implications.” Frontiersin Systems Neuroscience, October 10, 2013. (Free on-line.)

This article summarizes the current body of knowledgeregarding odor perception and attached emotionalmemories. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)allows researchers to map how the brain responds to sensoryinput. The mapping that is now available for olfaction helpsto explain how some odors modulate emotion and cognition.There is good evidence that the sense of smell may be aneffective, often subconscious emotional driver. In addition,there is good evidence that the autonomic nervous systemrelaxes with exposure to smells deemed safe or pleasant bythe person doing the smelling. Of particular note is thediscussion on the perception of odor that details the role ofthe piriform cortex to both group together similar odors andseparate out individual odors.

National Cancer Institute: PDQ® Aromatherapy andEssential Oils. October 16, 2012. (Free on-line.)

This PDQ Cancer Information Summary on Aromatherapyand Essential Oils is the current assessment of aromatherapyfrom the perspective of scientific and medical investigatorsfunded by the United States government in the field ofcancer research. It is interesting to view the filed ofaromatherapy from their perspective. The information issomewhat dated and anyone who believes that theinformation is not accurate is able to give the committeefeedback as instructed on the site. Probably the most usefulinformation for aromatherapists is the table entitled “Use ofAromatherapy as a Supportive Care Agent in Cancer andPalliative Care Table of Clinical Studies.” This tablesummarizes published clinical trials along with the rigor ofthe study design in the seventh column. The lower the level

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Issue 21 June 2014

Supplemental Science Sources Review by Lori L. Barr

UPCOMING EXAMINATION DATES

October 4—18, 2014Application Deadline: 9/1/2014

Download a Handbook and Application atwww.ptcny.com/clients/ARC

Page 2 Newsletter

of evidence score, the stronger the study design and theoutcomes. This provides aromatherapists who are willingand able to partner with researchers on clinical researchstudies with the type of study design that is consideredreliable evidence of effectiveness of essential oils.

“Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Epidemiology, MolecularMechanisms, In Vitro Methods and Regulatory Aspects.”Cellular and Molecular Science, March 2012. (Free on-line.)

This is the current consensus on the irritants and mechanismof response by the skin in cases of allergic contactdermatitis. Essential oils are a known cause of contactdermatitis, and aromatherapists are at risk of occupationalexposure. While limonene and linalool rarely causesensitization, as they are oxidized by air, their oxidizedforms are highly sensitizing. This article highlights changesto top human allergens, how people are exposed to them,and what happens on a molecular level to mediate theinflammatory response. The reason this article is importantist hat occupational contact dermatitis is the most commonoccupational disease in many countries and can bedebilitating. A better understanding of how to preventoccupation sensitization through the use of personalprotective equipment is presented.

Bibliography

“Effect of Essential Oils on Pathogenic Bacteria.” FilomenaNazzar, Florinda Fratianni, Laura De Martino, RaffaeleCoppola, and Vincenzo De Feo. Pharmaceuticals (Basel).December 2013; 6(12): 1451-1474. Published onlineNovember 25, 2013.

“The Mode of Antibactierial Action of Essential Oils.” M.L.Faleiro. Science Against Microbial Pathogens:Communicating Current Research and TechnologicalAdvances. Series 3: Vol. 2, 2011, pp. 1143-1156.

“Effects of Odor on Emotion, with Implications.”Mikiko Kadohisa. Front Syst Neurosci. 2013; 7: 66.Published online October 10, 2013.

National Cancer Institute: PDQ® Aromatherapy andEssential Oils. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.Last modified 10/16/2012. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/aromatherapy/healthprogessional.

“Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Epidemiology, MolecularMechanisms, In Vitro Methods and Regulatory Aspects.”Current knowledge assembled at an international workshopheld in BfR, Germany. Cell Mol Life Sci. March 2012; 69(5): 763-781. Published online October 14, 2011.

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RA EXAM AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE AND KOREANThe Aromatherapy Registration Council was established in1999 as a resource for a growing community of aroma-therapists. Since that time, we are pleased to say that hun-dreds of aromatherapists have elected to take and havepassed the Registered Aromatherapist Exam, which contin-ues to strengthen our aromatherapy community by affirm-ing our shared commitment to a core body of aromather-apy knowledge and public safety. Our community contin-ues to grow! In fact, we have gone global! ARC now of-fers the Registered Aromatherapist Exam in Japanese andKorean. Candidates can sit the exam in Japan! Soon theExam will be available for candidates to take in Chinese,too! If you or an aromatherapist you know would likemore information on the Japanese or Korean RegisteredAromatherapist Exam, or forthcoming Exam in Chinese,you can find more information on the ARC website.

Page 3Issue 21

Have you ever noticed that when you sit for an exam like the ARC Registration Exam in Aromatherapy, it is easy to feelanxious? Even if you have taken more than enough classes in the subject, even if you have practiced the discipline daily,even if you have reviewed extensively for the big test day, you still might find your hand sweating as you answer the ques-tions. Here are some facts about taking tests in general and about this examination in particular that might make it easier foryou to demonstrate your expertise when you sit for the ARC Exam. The purpose of this article is to dispel common exammyths, equip you with strategies, and encourage you to shine when you come for the test.

Newcomers and old-timers alike might have misconceptions about the origins of the Aromatherapy Registration Council(ARC) and the purpose of the exam. (Frequently asked questions are answered on the ARC website at http://aromatherapycouncil.org/?page_id=75.) It is important to dispel misconceptions and disinformation because, when an in-dividual takes in disinformation, it leads to a skewed perception regarding the subject. The misperception can lead to aninability to objectively analyze the questions that are being asked on the exam. In other words, instead of reading the ques-tion for what it is, the test-taker might read more into it by thinking that the exam creators had a specific ideological agendathat the test promotes. Do not let worry, fear, or doubt cause you to second guess the knowledge you have worked so hardto acquire. Here are three common myths about this exam.

Myth 1: “This test only reflects one person’s experience with aromatherapy. It isn’t broad enough in scope to be fair.” Areview of the origins of this Council shows that this myth is not true. The exam is the result of a self-regulatory effort toencourage safe use of aromatherapy in varied clinical settings by a variety of practitioners. Questions are submitted by aro-matherapy practitioners and vetted by peer review after undergoing rigorous evaluation by the Professional Testing Corpo-ration. Any member of the Registry can volunteer to participate in an item review to better understand the process and pro-vide input.

Myth 2: “The exam excludes good people from the practice of aromatherapy.” We see two trends in failure to achieve apassing score. The most common is language barriers that prevent the test-taker from understanding the question and an-swering appropriately. In response, we have recently begun efforts to translate the exam into additional languages. It nowis available in Japanese and Korean in addition to English. The second trend is that occasionally people who enter the fieldfrom a product sales perspective might have enough training to sit for the exam but not enough to demonstrate competence.Like all other qualifying exams, this is a test of minimal competence. Those who are passionate about the discipline andunderstand its varied facets should be capable of passing.

Myth 3: “In the digital age, when almost any answer is available immediately via a short internet query, there is no point inlearning the Latin nomenclature and other basic science behind aromatherapy. That is just rote memorization.” Aromather-apy is a life science. Linnean Nomenclature is used to minimize ambiguity among species of essential oil sources. InTexas, a tree grows that is called a Cedar. It really is Juniperus ashei. In order to keep up-to-date with this exploding lifescience field, you will need to understand scientific methodology and standard nomenclature. This test is not a test of mem-ory. This is a test of understanding.

Let’s move on to some strategies that will help you be successful when taking any standardized test. Use these three tipsbelow to help yourself in situations where you are tempted to guess at the answer.

Tip 1: The sooner you take responsibility for passing the ARC exam, the more eager you will be to efficiently take notesand consolidate information as you study. This will help you make less of the mistakes common to all test-takers (moreabout these later). You have chosen aromatherapy as a field of excellence in your life. You have traded precious days,months, and years of your life for the knowledge you now hold in your mind. Resolve right this minute to take full respon-sibility for discovering all the information you need to pass this test. The ARC Handbook for Candidates (http://www.ptcny.com/pdf/ARC.pdf) gives all of the categories that are covered on the exam and even gives you sample ques-tions. Use the brochure to outline your reviews. Begin linking your learning or practical experiences to the categories cov-ered in the Handbook. That will anchor your learning. Use the process of active revision: identifying and applying the keypoints in each section of your study outline. Ask yourself, “How could this point be expressed on this exam?” Consider

Don’t Stress AboutThis Exam! By Lori Barr

UPCOMING EXAMINATIONDATES

April 5-19, 2014Application Deadline: 3/1/2014

October 4—18, 2014Application Deadline: 9/1/2014

Download a Handbook and Application atwww.ptcny.com/clients/ARC

Page 4 Newsletter

ARC is pleased to announce that the Registra-tion Examination in Aromatherapy now is avail-able in Japanese as a paper-and-pencil exam.For more information, please contact ARC at

info@aromatherapycouncil.org.

enlisting a study buddy, an accountability partner who will ensure that you are covering the material you need to cover and whom youcan brainstorm with as you revise your studies.

Tip 2: If you feel anxious, stay calm, breath deeply, and reframe your experience with a statement like, “I have all the time I need andhave learned more than enough to display my expertise on this test of minimal competence.”

Tip 3: For multiple choice questions, cover all answers and answer the stem without looking at the choices. Then uncover the choicesand read all of them carefully. If you know an answer with certainty, select it and move on. If not, eliminate any answer that youknow for certain is not correct. Look for answer pairs that are close in wording; the correct answer might be one of the two that areclosely worded.

Mistakes common to test-takers that you can avoid:

--Failure to read the instructions at the beginning of the test, for each test section, and for each question. Read, check, and then followthe instructions that are given.--Failure to recognize the keywords and verbs in the stem of the question. Note keywords as you encounter them. Identify the verb.--Failure to properly use the allotted time. Answer the questions you know the answers to first. If you cannot narrow the choices andquickly come to a best guess, then flag the questions, then come back after you have completed the rest of the exam.--In the case of a paper-and-pencil exam, failure to fill in the answer sheet correctly. If you skip questions on the test, you run the riskof marking the wrong number on the answer sheet when you answer the next question. Check and double check the question numberand the answer number before you fill in the bubble on the answer sheet.

In summary, the ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy is a voluntary test of minimal competence designed by peers to helpmaintain safe standards for clients who seek the assistance of an aromatherapist. Take responsibility to design and implement a studyplan over time to cover the material outlines in the Handbook and master a few simple test-taking strategies if you want to demon-strate all the amazing knowledge you hold on this fascinating subject.

Lori L. Barr, M. D., is an internationally recognized radiologist and best-selling author of Think & GrowWell. Dr. Barr helps over 18,127 patients and their doctors each year in Austin, Texas and is an advocate forintegrative healing. She was introduced to aromatherapy in 2001 and became a registered aromatherapist in2005. Dr. Barr teaches safe and effective utilization of essential oils through the Texas Aromatherapy Insti-tute. She serves as a board member of the Aromatherapy Registration Council. Dr. Barr was named a Radiol-ogy Society of North America Scholar for her ultrasound research in the developing brain. Both the AmericanCollege of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine named her fellow for teaching,research, clinical care and community advocacy.

How you can get involved

There are many ways you can get involved with ARC activities. One of the easiest ways is by writing test questions for an upcomingARC examination.You may also participate in an ARC item review session to review potential test questions.In addition, you may write articles for the ARC Newsletter.All of these activities also qualify for contact hours for reregistration. Check the reregistration guidelines at www.ptcny.com/clients/ARC/index.htmlIf you would like to help in any of these capacities, contact ARC for further information at call (503) 244-0726. or emailinfo@aromatherapycouncil.org.

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Page 5Issue 21

Congratulations to the aromatherapists who registered in April 2014:

In English:

Sue Fitzgerald Leiann P. King Timothy M. Miller Hyunah SoByel Kim Kathryn J. Kliewer Susan M. Smith Kaoru TakifuchiMi Jin Kim Eun Kyung Lee

In Korean:

Hyui Yeon Cha Hyun Jung Her Na Yong Kim Soo Jin ParkYukyoung Cho Chaewon Jo Sunhee Kim Sung Shin ParkEun Jung Choi Jin Hee Jung Eun Sang Ko Su Kyung SoungHag Soon Choi Ji Suk Kang Jiyoon Lee Sunghyun UmJeong Yun Choi Min Ah Kim Soo Jeong Lee Soon Young YoonJu Nam Eom Na Ri Kim Mi Jin Oh Chae Mok Yu

In Japanese:

Kaori Matsuura

Congratulations to the aromatherapists who reregistered in April 2014:

By Examination:

Dawn D. Larson

By Continuing Education Units:

Lori L. Barr Becksun Park Michael F. Dell’Orfano Elvira Dilibero

American College of Healthcare Sciences is seeking contract adjunct faculty for online clinicalaromatherapy teaching positions. ACHS offers accredited, online graduate and undergraduateprograms in clinical aromatherapy. U.S. Department of Education approved accredited PhD orprofessional terminal degree required; RA credential preferred.

ACHS seeks faculty who are caring and attentive to students and provide a collaborative andengaging online learning experience for students. At least two years teaching experience andsubject knowledge required. Experience with an online learning platform such as eCollege isessential (Angel, Moodle, and Blackboard considered). Instructors should be available to log into class six days per week and respond to student inquiries within 24 hours. Please register toapply online at http://tinyurl.com/achs-adjunct .