Making the decision to seek out alternative health care is one thing; actually finding a practitioner is another. As complementary and alternative medicine becomes increasingly popular — and specific — finding the craniosacral therapist who specializes in past life regression or the best energetic healer in your neighborhood can be unnecessarily challenging.

Enter Holistic Local, a web-based directory created by Andy Metcalfe of Leeds, England. The online database links users to “holistic, green and conscious business services.” Metcalfe also plans to develop a community networking component that will connect like-minded people.

Holistic Local will help users find businesses and services like health food stores and massage therapists as well as health and wellness events like workshops, retreats, lectures and conferences. The site also lists local holistic education opportunities.

A test search did not produce exemplary results. I typed in “reflexology” and my zip code hoping to see my local reflexologist, Angel Feet, at the top of the list, but no businesses were found. That's OK. As Holistic Local is brand new and a pioneer, I'm happy to give the directory a chance to cultivate content. Stay tuned for another review in the New Year.

The service is free to both businesses and enquirers and is available in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.