May heralds the start of exam season for families up and down the country, It could be GCSE’s, A level’s, final degree exams, SATS or just end of year tests…whatever you are facing, there will be some anxiety floating around for sure! Essential oils are an easy and effective way to reduce some of the stress and anxiety. Using a diffuser is a great way to create an atmosphere for concentration, aid sleep or reduce anxiety.   You can also use your essential oils in the bath to aid a restful nights sleep. Or you could create your own aromatherapy inhaler. You can purchase ‘empty’ inhale ..read more

You’ve been so looking forward to a week off over Christmas but as soon as you stop work you start to feel a bit ropey and before you know it you’ve got a full-on snotty nose and can’t taste your Christmas treats!   SO WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN WHEN WE STOP WORK?   There are a number of reasons, the most common is that when we are working hard our stress hormones (mostly adrenalin) is fueling our body as it/we knows we must keep on going for that deadline, project, exam…. whatever it is, we keep at it, then, when we stop it all goes a little haywire and as said above we can become ill. So ..read more

  I recently had two clients come for an aromatherapy massage that had NEVER had a massage before, no pressure then! I have some clients who have been coming to see me for years, some for over a decade and others who come for a short time to alleviate a concern, physical or emotional and then merrily go on their way. Whoever I do treat, I am always honoured and humbled by the trust that people put in me. The two newbies loved their treatment by the way, and one of them fell fast asleep, a massive compliment! You can’t say that often about your job, but a client falling asleep is a true si ..read more

Stress! Stress is a much-used word. It blazes at us from news articles, jumps out from Insta posts and appears in well being themed magazine articles. Friends, colleagues and clients talk about feeling stressed and doctors write this very familiar word on sick notes. Employers, or at least good ones, have workplace well being policies which are at least partly designed to reduce employee stress levels.   But what does stress mean to you? Like so many other emotional and physical health conditions, stress does not affect everyone in the same way. The Mental Health Foundation describe stres ..read more

As we approach the end of Menopause Awareness Month, I thought I would talk to you about the benefits of massage during your menopause….   During peri-menopause oestrogen produced from your ovaries declines, but did you also know that during perimenopause and post menopause your adrenals take up the slack of oestrogen production? It’s a slightly different oestrogen from the one your body makes from the time of puberty within your ovaries, but it’s wonderful that the body has this back-up ready for you once menopause is under way. However, stress will deplete that production.   You’ve ..read more

If you haven’t heard, where have you been? Menopause is now a hot topic – no pun intended!  About time I would say!   Menopause will be experienced by every woman which means that all of us are affected, as we all know a fair few women; our Mothers, our daughters, our friends, our partners, our colleagues….the list goes on.   Understanding what is happening, physically and emotionally, for me, is key to embracing this natural transition. Being informed and therefore able to support myself and those around me can only be helpful. You can do the same!   using essential oils i ..read more

Goodness its hot out there! Your essential oils can help you beat the heat when it’s hot, in a number of ways. TO SOOTHE SUN KISSED SKIN Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, a natural analgesic and Roman Chamomile, Anthemis nobilis, a soothing anti-inflammatory, can be added to a vegetable oil and gently applied to areas of the skin that feels they’ve had too much sun. Apply twice a day. To 20 ml of base oil add 3 drop of Roman Chamomile, Anthemis nobilis 2 drops of Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia This is suitable for applying to the body. For the face you should only use two drops per 10 ..read more

As the middle of May approaches a lot of families will be bracing themselves for exam stress! It could be GCSE’s A levels, final degree exams, SATS or even just end of term exams and after the last two years with the Pandemic, the thought of siting an exam under ‘exam conditions’ are quite daunting! Advising rest, exercise & eating well is a good thing to talk about with your nearest and dearest at this time. But what else can you do? Some essential oils can be very beneficial for aiding concentration or even giving you a good night’s sleep, read on for some aromatic tips to get you throu ..read more

I am so delighted to have Emma Charlton – Earthflower Therapies, write a guest blog for me on stress. She is teaching a CPD day Sat 18th June Aromatherapy for Stress. Here she talks about her experience and knowledge around this topic. STRESS! Stress is a much-used word. It blazes at us from news articles, jumps out from Insta posts and appears in wellbeing themed magazine articles. Friends, colleagues and clients talk about feeling stressed and doctors write this very familiar word on sick notes. Employers, or at least good ones, have workplace wellbeing policies which are at least partly de ..read more

I have noticed that many educators are moving online because of the Pandemic and for some that is a brilliant way to learn, but for me as a therapist who specialises in treating people holistically with touch and aroma I would find it near impossible to teach any type of course that has a practical element without being in the same room as the students. To share the experience of learning a new massage technique or inhaling a new essential oil for the first time is a wonderful, powerful way to learn. You are present with like minded individuals with their nuances and stories, you are participa ..read more