Natural Oil Clinic

31/12/2025

Recently, I've been sharing my mornings with a blackbird...........

She comes, she sits, takes a berry or two and permits me to briefly share her dawn as I breathe in my daily sensory dose of the outdoors. The mossy, loamy scent of early morning itself, can be incredibly therapeutic.

Not in all, but, in many cultures, the blackbird is a symbol of transformation.

How apt.

With 2025, came challenges, chance meetings, and warm connections, both old and new. Events, education and loss shaping the past year into its unique fingerprint. Through it all, I have been blessed with unwaivering support of family, friends, colleagues and clients, for which I am truly grateful 🙏🏻

2025 in one phrase?

I'm hesitant to say "personal growth" at this point, (perhaps 2026!!) so, instead, I'll honour my morning companion, the blackbird, and say "change".

Whatever your journey has been for 2025, if you can, count the blessings, take the lessons and continue to move forward.

Wishing you all warmth, positivity, strength, courage, healing and wellness for 2026. See you all in the New Year for many more aromatic and wellness journeys 🤗

24/12/2025

Festive Bingo - who's playing?

You're being silly

You're an adult, get a grip

Its just another day, stop stressing

It doesn't matter, (but it does)

Sometimes, in the last days before the Festive Period, you can't shake the "funk".

It can be exhausting "filtering" or "reacting" to the onslaught of noise or demands in our surrounding environment that ramps up at this time of year. It's what we are programmed to do. It is our brain's way of regulating our response, primarily to keep up safe. It can also leave you in a state of overwhelm.

Tiny molecules of aroma, invisible to the eye.

Brought to you on the wisp of air, scent can't fix everything, but by connecting directly and rapidly to the emotional regulation centres of the brain, a safe, professional blend ofessential oils can bring calm, balance, or bring you to the present by grounding.

When your environment demands constant reaction, pause, take a breath, and embrace scent, and remember you are enough as you are 🤗

23/12/2025

Remember folks, you are not alone over this festive break, there are services and supports that can help.

Please use the link below if you or someone you know is looking for support over the holidays.

https://linktr.ee/wintersupport

21/12/2025

Winter survival....the "Bleak Midwinter"

Hundreds of years ago our ancestors feared the darkness of Winter. A time to glance at the food and wood stores and place silent, internal bets about who around the fire, would still be there in Spring............

Fast forward to today, Winter is less about "survival" but, it can still be bleak for some (although when it comes to feeling good, looking in your "food stores" is a great place to start - a conversation for another time 😉).

Winter brings small, subtle routine changes for many:

Lack of natural daylight exposure

Less movement

Financial or relationship stressors (and equally, but oppositely isolation)

Lack of restful sleep

Dietary changes during Winter, and particularly the Festive Season

Put them all together and it can result in the kind of biochemical bedlam that triggers inflammation and the "gifts" of poor mental or physical health.

Winter Solstice is often a time for reflection. Changing just one thing is easier to commit to and it's still a step forward.

When you're ready to know more, just ask.

Winter Solstice blessings 🤗

20/12/2025

Ladies, does your feisty, fiery and fierce get a little out of hand in the run up to your period?

PMS has long been recognised as the reason behind why some women are a little "spiky" in the second phase of our cycle, after ovulation.

Clinical aromatherapy can be an amazing tool which can allow you to support yourself during this time but, guess what? It's all in the timing and application of treatment! Recognising exactly when and where to incorporate clinical aromatherapy into your life is key to providing relief of both emotional and physical symptoms of PMS....

What if it's more?

If you are experiencing "intense" emotional and physical symptoms associated with your hormonal cycle, you could be suffering from PMDD, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and it's strongly recommended you seek medical input for this diagnosed, psychiatric condition! Clinical aromatherapy can also be a great way to support women who suffer from PMDD however, due to intensity of symptoms (and an association with suicidal thoughts), it's important that medical intervention is also incorporated into treatment.

Want to know more, or have an interest in women's health? Let's chat 😊

08/12/2025

Last week someone reminded me that the difference between 1 million seconds and a billion seconds is around 30 years....

If you've ever shared your life with a working cocker spaniel, you'll know that they are some of the greatest experts at "living in the moment".

Living, for them, is a universe held together by zoomies and dinner...

There's a still energy in our house after the weekend, a gentle comforting aromatic blend in the air... a pause for reflection on a life well lived.

Joy and mischief until the end.

Sadly, living well until the end, is something that often eludes human companions.

Somewhere in between the millions and billions of seconds is a window opportunity to make a change.

Small changes can lead to big health wins. It can send you on the way to being "more Cocker Spaniel"

Willow 15/12/12 - 06/12/2025

02/12/2025

01/12/2025

Cyber Monday choices

Ok, so I cheated, this shot was taken yesterday, the sunrise in all its glory, complete with surround sound (birdsong)...... and something we haven't quite harnessed in home cinematic systems yet..... the aroma of loam, earth moss and wood.

Whilst the internet is telling you that you need the latest *anything and everything, I urge you to invest in yourself instead. Time, exercise, intelligent supplementation, whole foods, hydration or a moment of calm.…you choose

The wellness benefits of nature connectedness are remarkable.
The cost? An early alarm and a gentle uphill hike 🤗

01/12/2025

A few thousand years ago.......

It's always fun to get the opportunity to share something a little more unusual.... my friends, meet the poultice. Some of you may remember your grannies using them but they actually go back a few thousand years!

Fast forward to now, we have anti-inflammatory medications used for acute (once-off) injury and inflammations. For many, their use is limited due to factors such as gastric issues, kidney function and drug interactions.

A poultice can be made from a number of things including animal fats and herbs but this one was made from specific, organic mineral rich clays and anti-inflammatory hydrolates, an effective answer to short-term flares.

Can poultices be used for chronic, long-term inflammation? Chronic inflammation is a very different beast, and it's not as straightforward. With chronic inflammation we are beginning to understand how pain signals change with time, along with the role of how mind, gut and nourishment influence your wellness.

To understand your own body is a great thing.......welcome to the "whole person approach" 🤗

28/11/2025

Whoo-hoo Black Friday!! 🥳🥳🥳

Check out my Black Friday aromatherapy haul!



A grand total of three items (none of which were on a "Black Friday" deal).

Black Friday is a time where we are actively encouraged to "snap up bargains".

For me, I bought what I needed for this weekend and I urge you, do the same you do not "need" bundles of oils and, it it's too good to be true? It probably is.

Essential Oils are beautiful metabolites of botanical sources, they require kilos of plants material to produce drops of oil in some cases. It's not sustainable and it's irresponsible to sprinkle them on your carpet, (please don't!!) or throw vast quantities into scented candles etc.

If you are tempted, please check your product is what it says it is, often. expensive oils are diluted with all sorts of not properly produced resulting in rogue products which can and often do contain toxins......but they're cheap

9 bottles of Neroli for £9? Beware!!!

The beauty but, vexing truth about working with natural materials is they also go off quickly resulting in skin or respiratory irritation. Are you going to use what you're buying and do you know how to store it?

Be kind to yourself (and others in your environment) and stop before you jump into a deal, spend your cash wisely. The best investment you'll ever make is in yourself 😊

24/11/2025

Fun Monday fact:

Continuing on a food theme, our raised beds are prepped, the Winter Garlic has been planted And our garlic shaped handbags have been dusted off?!?!!?

If you are in Bern, Switzerland you can join the tens of thousands who visit the "Zibelemärit".

This annual celebration of all things onion, takes place on the 4th Monday of every November and starts around 6am (with the 200+ vendors up at 4am to prep their onion braids and garland)!!

With roots in the 15th century, the traditional festival has returned to Bern, with the scent of onion tarts and onion based dishes filling the streets during the festival.....I think I've just found another addition to my bucket list 🧅🌰🧅