The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA) has launched an online service making it easier for serious enthusiasts and those wanting a career in the field to join.

The new service allows enthusiasts to become non-practising members, which also enables Professional practitioners and students to use the service to become fully accredited once they have completed the necessary training.

It is the latest step in a major overhaul of the federations website that also includes a members area with the latest developments and case studies in aromatherapy.

IFPA is also stepping up efforts to get more practitioners professionally accredited in clinical aromatherapy, using oils to treat conditions such as eczema and asthma.

Penny Price, chair of IFPA, said that for some people the new service will make it easy for people with a serious interest in aromatherapy to become members, even if they are not practitioners.

"For some people, it will be a first step to becoming a practitioner. Others will be happy just to build their knowledge through our professional magazine and the members' area. We are the biggest organisation of our kind in the world, and our members have a wealth of knowledge of the subject to share."