Using the Internet as an Aromatherapy Resource

Everyone is doing it nowdays - surfing the web, that is.  It used to be if you wanted to research a subject, you had to buy a book or go to your local library.  Although these option are still available - and I personally still enjoy both of these activities - the internet can open the door to a world of resources, without even leaving your house!

However, like everything, you can't always believe what you read.  The world wide web is full of lots of information which is written, or sourced, by people who really don't know what they are talking about.  Some of these people are well intentioned, just misinformed or misguided, but others are out to "get you".  So how do you separate the "good" from the "bad"?

Since I started writing aromatherapy articles (and other articles) I've learned a few tips when researching credit worthy sources; here's a few things which I think you should bear in mind when looking for and reading aromatherapy information on line:

• check the credentials of the author - does he/she have training/qualifications/experience in aromatherapy?
• does the author list any references at the end of the aromatherapy article to state where he/she researched their information from?
•  one single person does not know everything - check several sources to confirm facts
• aromatherapy journals and publications are often "credible" sources, including studies on aromatherapy/essential oils
• aromatherapy blogs are an "informal" way of conversing with your audience - consequently, aromatherapy blogs are not the most reliable source of aromatherapy information!  However, I try to back up my blog posts with articles and links, where appropriate, for "fact checking" - and direct readers to other references for further research.  I also have a disclaimer at the foot of my blog as to the intentions of my aromatherapy blog.
• no matter how well researched an aromatherapy article is, it will not always contain all the information you are looking for.  The author has written it from their point of view, so its wise to read 2 or 3 articles on the same subject to get the "full picture". (I encourage you to do this with my articles too!)
• aromatherapy is more "advanced" in Europe than it is in the U.S. - and there are different view points on aromatherapy in different countries.  So, depending on where you live, you may or may not be familiar with the author's view point - but it is beneficial to have an open mind!
• some aromatherapy companies publish aromatherapy information in an attempt to get you to buy their products; reputable aromatherapy suppliers will publish unbiased information and not simply promote their particular product in an article.

In addition to researching aromatherapy articles on line, I would also highly recommend purchasing some aromatherapy books and taking an introduction course to aromatherapy.  If you are a student of aromatherapy, you will eventually become familiar with aromatherapy author names, aromatherapy publications and the names of those in the aromatherapy business, making it easier to be informed about "reliable" or "unreliable" aromatherapy resources.  You can never have too much information!

If you have any points to add on Using the Internet as an Aromatherapy Resource please leave me a comment below!

Happy reading!