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Part III
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6: Resources
6.1 The Internet
6.1.1 Newsgroups
There are some newsgroups about aromatherapy:
alt.folklore.aromatherapy (not everybody can access
this newsgroup)
alt.aromatherapy
6.1.2 Mailing Lists
-Idma mailing list
-Essentials mailing list
to subscribe:
email TO: essentials@naturesgift.com
with the SUBJECT: SUBSCRIBE
that's all it will take.
-Ian Hunters mailing list (UK)
for more info send a mail to:
Ian Hunter
ian.hunter@zetnet.co.uk
6.1.3 Web Sites
Interesting web sites according to one of the listmembers:
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A Guide to Aromatherapy Sites
by Hana Forbes
I. Introduction
This is not an exhaustive listing of all the
possible results when a search engine searches the Web for aromatherapy
sites. Rather, it is an annotated guide to the best aromatherapy
sites available. In order to be included in this guide, a site has to meet
three criteria : the site must be factual, systematic,
and detailed.
By "factual" I mean that the site is designed
to present factual information about aromatherapy,
essential oils, etc. Note here that my bias is towards scientific
accuracy: claims that don't seem to sit with
scientific facts get eliminated unless there is some other
clear logic for the claims - with careful wording.
By "systematic" I mean that the information is
presented in some sort of systematic fashion
: alphabetical, by some logical grouping, etc. In addition, there is some
sort of logic about what is discussed, and what isn't, even for obviously
ongoing sites.
By "detailed", I mean that either a few topics
are discussed in depth, or that the survey gives specific information about
many small topics.
Most sites found by search engines fail these
criteria. Many are simply price lists and many
more are in the tone of "aromatherapy has lots of uses, try it!". Some
sites simply put up nonsense instead of information.
Finally, these sites are chosen for their value
as sources of information. I'm not interested
in the sponsor of the sites, nor in the quality of the product being sold.
An expert in aromatherapy with an uninformative
site will not be chosen; but a frankly
commercial site with lots of good information
will be.
II. A word about myself
This is not a plug for myself. Rather, I think
you, the reader, should know my biases so you
can decide to what extent you want to rely on what I've written here.
I'm not an expert in aromatherapy. In fact, I
became interested in the field only recently, and it's become my hobby.
I have read enough in the field -online- to be able to tell the facts from
the nonsense. I am a reference librarian in a large public library,
I've set up library catalogues, and written bibliographies.
III.How this guide is organized.
For each entry, I list the URL, the name
of the site, a description of the scope of the site,
and comments.
The sites appear in the following order:
beginner sites
advanced sites
related topics
IV.Beginner Sites
These are sites which are suitable for novices
in that they don't assume any previous knowledge
of aromatherapy or of science. (This doesn't mean that more knowledgable
users won't get anything out of them!)
Ancient
Healing Art home page.
A comprehensive site, a good start for learning.
In several sections.The alphabetical list
provides common and Latin names, description, and traditional uses. An
outstanding page is their "effect matrix"
which matches oils and effects in an easy to understand and use manner.
Highly recommended.
Frontier
Herbs - Aroma Notes
A series of in depth essays about different aspects
of aromatherapy. Deals with both specific
oils and general issues such as quality, blending, etc. Rarely plugs its
own products.
The
Guide to Aromatherapy
Broadbased noncommercial guide to various aspects
of aromatherapy. Includes guides to oils and
general information. The guide to sites is general and unchecked. Note:
the site is in frames, so older browsers will
not support it.
International
Yoga School
Guide to aromatherapy lists oils alphabetically,
with detailed descriptions of selected oils.
Gives, for each oil, English name, Latin (binomial) name, description,
usages, and safety precautions.
The
Knowledge Scroll -Helly's Herbal Products
Comprehensive listing of aromatherapy and
herbal products. Has good "glossary of aromatherapy
terms" with colloquial explanations and a list for each term of "oils with
this effect".
Nature's
Gift Custom Aromatherapy
Basic guide to aromatherapy. Has alphabetical
listing of oils with descriptions.
Part 2: Advanced Sites
These sites generally assume some knowledge of aromatherapy and/or of related fields. None of these are simply oil-and-symptom lists. Again, just as an advanced user can get some benefit from beginners' sites, so too, the beginner can glean something, though not the full benefit, from these sites.
International
guide to aromatherapy
Broad site, with some information for the beginner,
but mostly for the advanced user.
Includes such topics as safety, quality, and
production. Illustrated. With a multilingual dictionary of the Latin botanical
terms.
Dr.
Pappas
This site features a single oil each month. Includes
a complete chemical breakdown of the oil. Only for the advanced user. Unfortunately,
previous months are not archived.
The
Good Scents Company
A comprehensive site, with detailed chemical
descriptions of huge numbers of oils. Little
guidance is given for the use, and none for the therapeutic use of the
oils.
Includes, in addition to aromatherapy oils, absolutes,
terpeneless oils, perfume oils, base oils, etc. Each topic is arranged
alphabetically.
Contact
Dermatology Home Page
Even though this site is not, strictly speaking,
an aromatherapy site, I've included it here, here rather than in related
sites because of its importance. This is a comprehensive database of contact
allergens. Many essential oils and their constituents are included.
For each item, the author has included components,
indications of allergenic
components, cross allergens, and references.
A must for the safe use and prescription of essential
oils.
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6.1.4
Publications
Books on aromatherapy
Graham keeps a
list of aromatherapy books.
6.1.5
Other publications
HerbNET magazine
Here's some info:
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April HerbNET magazine is now online with medicinal
herb--gentian; culinary
herb--chervil; essential oil--neroli; spice--asafoetida;
edible
flower--tulip. It's at http://www.herbnet.com.
We're also putting together
our program for the next Herb Business Winter
Getaway conference in San
Antonio January 28-February 1. If you are
interested in giving a
presentation we're accepting proposals either
by email, FAX or snail mail.
Send a brief paragraph describing the talk
along with a brief bio. We'd
like to have the program set by 5/15. We
also have a new featuring we're
working on at our other site: http://www.herbalconnection.com
It's an Herb
Speakers' Bureau where speakers can be listed
with their picture, bio, topics
and fees requested. If you're interested
email us or stop by the site.
Maureen Rogers
HerbNET & herbalconnection
The Herb Growing & Marketing Network
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End of part III
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Go to the FAQ,
part IV