Aromatherapy
Return to our Home Page
 |
Introduction and Scope
This pathfinder focuses on aromatherapy and its benefits. Aromatherapy involves the art of using different fragrances or aromas to heal one's body or mind. This is by no means a new idea. People have been using some of the basic principles of this art for centuries. Aromatherapy involves the use of a variety of essential oils, as well as natural barks, herbs, and spices. This pathfinder is designed to inform the user about the benefits of aromatherapy, and the positive impact it can have on their life. The pathfinder also includes some practical applications of aromatherapy. Anyone who is interested in the healing or recuperative benefits of aromatherapy may find this useful.
The information listed on this pathfinder is for the general public, created using the resources of the public library system. Included are many different types of materials including reference books, as well as non reference books. Electronic and web information that is appropriate to this topic is also included here.
All information relating to aromatherapy is current as of 12/13/03. Some texts, however refer to ancient practices that are still used prominently today. This pathfinder does not research the misconceptions about the art, nor does it make note of sources that question the effectiveness of the practice.
Keywords, Subject Area and Browsing Areas
To find items relating to Aromatherapy, you may search the online catalog under the following terms:
- Aromatherapy
- Aromatherapy Massage
- Alternative Medicine
- Homeopathy
- Essences and essential oils -- Therapeutic use
- Herbs -- Therapeutic use
- Herbal healing
- Medicinal plants
Key to Abbreviations & Location
Here is a list of abbreviations used in this pathfinder and what they stand for:
| AA | Adriance Adult Library |
|---|---|
| ArA | Arlington Adult Library |
| CSA | Cols Spring Adult Library |
| HA | Highland Adult Library |
| HiA | Hillsdale Adult Library |
| HPA | Hyde Park Adult Library |
| ILL | Interlibrary loan |
| LGA | LaGrange Adult Library |
| MA | Mahopac Adult Library |
| MHLS | Mid Hudson Library System |
| NPA | New Paltz Adult Library |
| RA | Rosendale Adult Library |
| REF or R | Reference book not in circulation |
| SA | Saugerties Adult Library |
| WHA | West Hurley Adult Library |
- Castleman,Michael. Nature's cures: from acupressure & aromatherapy to walking and yoga: the ultimate guide to the best scientifically proven, drug-free healing methods. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1996. [ILL]
This book covers 33 alternative health therapies that are safe when used properly and are supported by scientific studies. The author, a respected expert on alternative health, clearly states the limits of the techniques and encourages combining them with conventional care. (Booklist)
- Gottlieb, Bill and Doug Dollemore. New choices in natural healing:
over 1,800 of the best self-help remedies from the world of alternative medicine.
Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press Rodale Press,1995. [ILL]
Alternative self-help treatments for 150 health problems and 16 natural remedies are covered in this publication.(Booklist)
- Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy : an A-Z.
New York: Barnes & Noble, 1995. [NPA REF 615.822 DAV]
"First published in Great Britain in 1988 by The C.W. Daniel Company Limited." Includes bibliographical references (p. 367).(cover)The most comprehensive guide to aromatherapy ever published. Over 200,000 copies sold world-wide. (Amazon)
- Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of herbal medicine. 2nd American ed.
New York: DK Pub, 2000. [HA REF 615.32 Che]
Addresses the issues of quality control and the safe use of herbal remedies. Initial and final chapters address the development of herbal medicine, world herbal traditions, and home remedies. Sandwiched between this material is an alphabetical listing by Latin name of 550 of the most commonly used individual herbs. Recommended for both public and academic libraries. Mary Stout, Pima Community Coll., Tucson, AR. (Library Journal)
- Essential oils desk reference. compiled by Essential Science Publishing.
Salem, Utah: Essential Science Pub, 2000. [RA REF 615.321 ESS ]
If you know the difference between therapeutic grade and perfume grade essential oils, or are seeking that information, this is the book for you. Anyone practicing aromatherapy at any level should have this book.(Amazon)
- Lawless, Julia. The illustrated encyclopedia of essential oils : the complete guide to the use of oils in aromatherapy and herbalism.
Shaftesbury, Dorset, [England]: Element, 1995. [CSA 615.321 LAW]
This handbook, used by aromatherapists worldwide, contains an A-Z listing of an enormous, internationally relevant, range of 193 aromatic plants. Chapters cover; the history of aromatherapy and herbalism; and how to make your own blends.(BIP)
- McGilvery, Carole Jimi Reed, and Mira Mehta. Massage, aromatherapy & yoga.
New York: Lorenz Books, 2001. [HPA 615.822 Mc]
"A comprehensive practical guide to natural therapies for the body and mind"--P. [4] of cover. Includes index.
- Woodham, Ann & David Peters.DK encyclopedia of healing therapies.1st American ed.
London: DK Pub. 1997. [AA R 615.5 Woo]
An analysis of the benefits claimed by various healing or complementary therapies. Provides a means for identifying therapies that may improve their health. Text is somewhat biased in favor of complementary therapies. (ARBA 1998)
- Owen,David J. The Herbal Internet Companion: Herbs and Herbal Medicine Online. Binghamton, NY: Hawoth Press, 2002. [ILL]
A comprehensive, authoritative guide to finding the best information about herbal medicine from respected medical and educational institutions, government organizations, and nonprofit organizations around the world.(Kuhl, Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium sized Libraries and Media Centers, 2003.)
Guides, Handbooks, & Manuals
Learn the basics of how natural scents work in the respiratory system, muscles, joints, & internal organs, as well as their effects on the conscious & unconscious mind.
This book gives full step-by-step guidance in a modern approach to an ancient means of healing. It teaches the basics of how natural scents work in the respiratory system, muscles, joints, and internal organs, as well as their effects on the mind.(BIP)
Hundreds of soothing and healing recipes for beauty, health, and emotional well-being through every stage of life. Noted Aromatherapist Victoria Edwards offers a comprehensive guide to using some of the more unusual essential oils and carrier oils, and shares her secret blends for the bath, massage, perfumery, health care, and aphrodisiacs.
In this beautifully illustrated book, translated from the German, the author, a holistic practitioner, describes the history and physiological basis of aromatherapy, tells how to extract and store oils, and gives detailed information on 27 of the most important essential oils including their dosages and beneficial effects.(Library Journal, July 1991)
Open this book and step into a new world that is thousands of years old. Let the ancient powers of herbs revive energy, restore health, soothe and beautify, and bring a burst of fresh flavors to your table. Judith Benn Hurley's The Good Herb shows how nature's most versatile plants can do their good work in your life.(BIP)
Sensual Aromatherapy shows you how to combine aromatic essential oils with massage, allowing you to enhance your relationship sexually, emotionally, and spiritually. Learn how to create a sensual ambience by evoking all the senses.(Amazon)
This handbook, used by aromatherapists worldwide, contains an A-Z listing of an enormous, internationally relevant, range of 193 aromatic plants. Chapters cover; the history of aromatherapy and herbalism; and how to make your own blends.(BIP)
Exact formulas for making hundreds of blends for skin and hair care, relief of stress and premenstrual syndrome, baby oils and powders, cellulite reduction, massage oils, and more. "It's interesting to just page through the alphabetical section and learn the purported advantages of oils, from allspice (Pimenta officinalis) to ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata)."--Booklist.
This is the essential guide to the ancient art of aromatherapy. It contains listings both by oil and ailment, in an easy-to-see, comprehensive reference that anyone can use. Readers learn about the plant, the fragrance, the healing properties and uses.
(BIP)
Wilson, a certified aromatherapist, has written a primer on aromatherapy to treat many common conditions such as acne, colds, headache, and toothache. Includes instructions on how to mix essential oils from plants and massage them into your skin, hair, or use them in compresss, bathe in them, or inhale them. Includes list of where to obtain items as well.(Library Journal, May 1995)
Gives history of Aromatherapy, explanation of how essential oils work--from their antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties to their mind/body/spiritual connection. Also includes tips on buying and storing oils. Includes a how to use list that describes how to make face masks, foot baths, gargles, diffusers, and more.(Amazon)
Full-text, reliable information focusing on: Fitness, Pregnancy, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Alcohol and Drug abuse, Prescription Drugs, Herbal remedies, and alternative or complementary treatments, etc.
Full text for nearly 800 general reference publications, updated daily, with coverage dating as far back as 1984. Covering virtually every subject area of general interest, MasterFILE Select also includes 37 full text reference books, an Image Collection of 116,000 photos, maps and flags, and Consumer Reports.
I would reccommend the addition of the following database.
This is the database I would select to subscribe to based on my pathfinder topic. I chose this database because of the scope and depth of information available about aromatherapy in this database. Alt-Health Watch contains over 50,000 full-text articles and thousands of images from more than 160 publications world wide.
These periodicals regularly feature articles pertaining to aromatherapy.
Non-fee based internet resources
The internet contains a wealth of information. Here are some of the best sites for information about aromatherapy.
A global site with contributors from around the world working to promote the serious,
intelligent and SAFE use of essential oils for healing
the body, mind and spirit. This site is updated frequently.
This site is a collection of links including recipes and precautions for usage. These links are well organized and are appropriate for the field. There are all kinds of different suggestions for appropriate usage of essential oils.
Offers over 250 pages of aromatherapy and essential oil articles, essential oil profiles, recipes, an indispensable aromatherapy business directory, book descriptions, free ecards, polls and links. This site is easy to use and extremely informative. There is a minimum of advertising on this site.
An online encyclopedia of Aromatherapy complete with precautions for use. This site is very thorough in its description of the various essential oils available for aromatherapy. This site also seems to be one of the more authoritative sites based on the fact that this is one of the most linked to of the aromatherapy sites.
Easy to use with topic based links
Links to a host of other Aromatherapy sites, containing the following useful headings:
A Guide to Aromatherapy. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy defines aromatherapy as "The art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit."
An educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy. The site was developed by experts in the field of aromatherapy and massage. There is a great deal if information available in an easy to access format.
According to the creators of this site, using this site will "Enhance your knowledge on aromatherapy and use of essential oils." This statement seems to be basically true. There is a little more emphasis on this site for commercial endeavors, but for the most part, information is the major portion of the site.
Another useful aromatherapy site. The site outlines the history of aromatherapy, the top 10 essential oils, information, properties, uses, and recipes of and for essential oils. There is a mailing list available for people who want to keep in touch and wish to be contacted frequently with the latest news in the field..
Recommended Additions to the collection
After doing research for this pathfinder, these are some of the well regarded books and journals not presently in the Mid Hudson Library's collection.
Compiled By Carolyn DiIorio
ISSN: 0887-9311
Frequency: 4/year
Price: 89.00
Publisher:
http://www.aspenpublishers.com
Subject: Nursing
Peer Reviewed
ISSN: 1067-9588
Frequency: 9/year
Price: 23.90
Subject: Consumer Health
For people interested in alternative lifestyles, natural foods, crafts, outdoor sports, organic gardening, holistic health, alternate energy, and more.
ISSN: 0032-8006
Frequency: 12/year
Price: 21.97
Publisher:
http://www.healthyideas.com
Subjects: Consumer Health; Food & Nutrition; Food Science & Nutrition; General Interest
Focuses on health and personal fitness. Covers natural foods, nutrition, medical treatments, exercise and contemporary life-styles.
ISSN: 1470-4056
Frequency: Bi-monthly
Price:GBP 13 subscription per year domestic
GBP 27 subscription per year in Europe
GBP 34 subscription per year elsewhere
Publisher: http://www.aromatherapymagazine.com/
Subject: ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Covers all aspects of aromatherapy; features include essential oils, home remedies, health, beauty and aromatherapy products.
URL: http://www.aromatherapymagazine.com/
ISBN: 0892818980
Price: $14.95
A guidebook for those who are considering using essential oils during pregnancy and early motherhood. Newly revised edition of the definitive guide to using essential oils during pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood.
(Total Health and Amazon)
ISBN: 078624769X
Price: $24.95
Valerie Ann Worwood's concise and easy-to-use Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child contains more than 300 oil blends for myriad physical complaints, from eczema to hay fever. (New World Library, 2000)(LATEST & GREATEST: BOOKS , By: Chianta, Melissa, Mothering, 07333013, May/Jun2000, Issue)
ISBN: 1556430736
Five hundred fifty pages; Includes information on 200 essential oils; Lists more than 200 sources of aromatherapy products in United States;Used in Herbal Studies Course/Jeanne Rose Berkeley, Calif. (Hot off the press,Krizmanic, Judy Source: Vegetarian Times; Oct92 Issue 182, p12, 1/6p, 1c)
ISBN: 0749911565
Clearly written, it gives a detailed history of this ancient healing method, tells how essential oils are extracted and applied, and offers do-it-yourself instructions and warnings of toxicity dangers. .(Library Journal, 1994)
ISBN: 0892816384
Price: $17.47
The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy offers the most elegantly comprehensive package on the whole art and science of aromatherapy written to date. It deservedly takes its place among the small handful of indispensable reference books on this fascinating therapy.(Balay's)
last updated on 12/13/03
University at Albany,
School of Information Science and Policy