A Lifetime of Aromatherapy Learning

In case you haven't read my previous posts, I recently created a new web site called Aromatherapy Library.  My idea for Aromatherapy Library is to provide a "hub" of all my aromatherapy articles that I have written for various other web sites and magazines, as people frequently ask me if I have written anything on a particular subject.  This way, I can direct them to the one web site, instead of trying to reach into the far depths of my brain and remember when/where/if I wrote a particular aromatherapy article!  Although I have a relatively good memory, in my opinion :) , I must have written in excess of 700 articles, blog posts and web site pages (not all on aromatherapy but a wide range of subjects) in the past couple of years, a number which is forever increasing, so even my memory isn't that good!

However, in the process of building my new Aromatherapy Library web site, I decided to amend and re-write my original aromatherapy articles, with a link back to the original place it was published.  Therefore, I find that I am "re-learning" or "re-discovering" some facts about aromatherapy once again!

In addition, I plan to start some advanced aromatherapy studies at the end of the year, if all falls into place (fingers crossed), so I will be learning some new aromatherapy information too!  It just made me realize that you can never have enough facts and information about aromatherapy, however much you think you know!  Its a bit like life I suppose - a continuous learning curve....  :) :)

So, although I hope to provide a wide array of aromatherapy information through my blog, articles and web sites, I still challenge you to go out there and read as many aromatherapy books, articles and other information as you can!  And if you come across something that's simply too good not to share, please let me know.... :)

Aromatherapy Update for 2010

As we are nearly half way through 2010 and its also a year since I started my aromatherapy blog, I thought it was time to give an update on my aromatherapy plans.  Those of you who have been following my aromatherapy blog in the past year may remember that back in December 2009 I talked about starting aromatherapy classes in 2010.

Unfortunately, my plans for that have been set back a little, partly due to personal reasons and health.  Although this has been a little frustrating for me, it has given me time to think out more clearly what I want to achieve with regard to aromatherapy teaching classes. For the remainder of 2010, I intend to concentrate on writing as much as I can about aromatherapy. I write aromatherapy articles for both LiveStrong.com and Suite 101, in addition to this aromatherapy blog.  I am also working on aromatherapy information web sites in order to accumulate a lot of my aromatherapy writing in one place.  My first aromatherapy information web site was Aromatherapy Glossary, and I have another one pending.

Of course, I continue to practice aromatherapy through Sedona Aromatherapie, Aromatherapy Wedding and Chocolate Aromatherapy.  I am hoping that 2011 will allow me to move ahead with my aromatherapy teaching plans as I have some creative ideas on how to do that here in Arizona!  So, all I can say, is watch this space - and in the meantime, enjoy my aromatherapy articles :)

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!