A.G.O.R.A
Frequently Asked Questions III

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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. [2013 Note: Now dead. Go here for link from Wayback Machine]
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 [Dead! Go here for page from 2001]
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 [Link Dead! Graham moved to the US around 2001 and built a new site, but it is closed as of 2013. Go here for a copy of the 2012 version. Go here for a copy of the original site from 2003.]
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 [bad]
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 [bad]
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 [Still alive and well at www.naturesgift.com].
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 [bad]
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 [bad]
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 [bad]
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 [bad]
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. [bad]

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. [Amazingly, still good in 2013] 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 [Still under construction in 2013] 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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