What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

http://www.ilkleycomplementarytherapies.co.uk/

Ilkley Complementary Therapies, 2 Castle Hill, Ilkley (2026)

25/01/2026

I’ve long supported the idea of a gratitude practice for wellbeing.

Whether it’s writing down 3–5 things you’re grateful for each day / week, running through them in your mind before sleep, or sharing them around the dinner table with family or friends.

Research shows that regular gratitude practice can:
Improve mood & emotional regulation
Reduce stress & anxiety
Improve sleep quality
Strengthen relationships
Increase resilience & life satisfaction

I also love discovering fresh takes on familiar tools. This week, whilst listening to Dr Suzan Song on the Good Life Project podcast, I heard her reframe - she calls it her Emotional GPS.

A simple nightly ritual that helps reset and guide how we want to feel.
Her approach is grounded in key neurochemicals:
Oxytocin — feeling loved & connected
Serotonin — joy, meaning & self-worth
Dopamine — inspiration, motivation & pleasure

Dr Song keeps a journal with a column for each and reflects every evening on moments that made her feel loved, joyful or inspired — even tiny ones. A neighbour checking in during bad weather. A moment that made her smile. Something that inspired her.

You might ask yourself:
Oxytocin - who helped me feel supported, seen or connected today?
Serotonin - what am I proud of? Where did I stay true to myself or my values?
Dopamine - what brought me a sense of joy, inspiration or progress today?

Regular practice strengthens neural pathways in the prefrontal cortex, promoting long-term emotional regulation and positive thinking for sustainable wellbeing.

Please share in the comments:
How do you practice gratitude?
Which question feels most helpful right now?

18/01/2026

Set the table for lunch on an ordinary weekend. Why not?

With Blue Monday occurring tomorrow, lunch with family ticks many wellbeing boxes:
• connection & conversation
• nourishment
• comfort in a relaxed aesthetic environment
• making time to slow down

What is Blue Monday?
Identified as the third Monday in January, when shorter days, colder weather, post-Christmas fatigue and new year work pressures can combine to lower mood. Many people notice a dip around this week.

Ways to reduce low mood this week:

At home

Eat regularly and warmly. Try a new recipe for fun.
Create small rituals (a candle with coffee, music whilst doing housework, shared meals)
Get daylight first thing am for better sleep pm
Rest without guilt

At work

Break tasks into manageable steps. Try the Pomodoro technique (work in 20-25 min slots) and take breaks in between.
Step outside at lunchtime alone or with colleagues
Connect with colleagues by having lunch or coffee together. Have a theme day - eg. everyone brings in a Mexican dish to share. Or start a lunchtime book/movie/theatre club.

Small, intentional choices can make a difference.

How will you support your mood this week?

I’d love to hear in the comments.

And if you’d like extra emotional support, you can book in with our Flower Essence practitioner Jenny Howarth, who can help you find the right essence for your emotional wellbeing.

15/01/2026

A great chance to share all that we offer at Ilkley Complementary Therapies as well as Yorkshire Flower Essences. More on our websites: ilkleycomplementarytherapies.co.uk and yorkshirefloweressences.com. We always love to hear from people who are seeking natural support for their emotional balance and healing . No obligation, free of charge exploratory chat always available.

11/01/2026

Left over herbs from Christmas? Focus on Sage
With the festive season behind us, are you turning your focus to cleaner eating and reduced drinking this January? Start incorporating left over herbs into your daily diet. Or buy a few pots of winter herbs and keep them growing on your windowsill ready to use.

One of my favourite winter herbs is Sage because it supports the body through the colder months. It contains:

• Volatile oils – supporting digestion & easing bloating after heavier meals
• Polyphenols & flavonoids – antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, supporting immunity
• Rosmarinic acid – traditionally linked to cognitive support, clarity and focus
• Tannins – gently astringent, soothing for sore throats & helps reduce menopausal sweats

Ways to use sage
• Add fresh leaves to roasted root vegetables
• Stir finely chopped sage into butter or olive oil to drizzle over veg/meat/poultry/fish
• Make a tea by steeping 1–2 fresh or dried leaves in hot water for 5–10 minutes

For more details on the benefits of sage and my favourite sage recipe see my previous blog:
https://www.enhanceone.com/single-post/what-s-growing-in-your-garden-focus-on-sage-salvia-officinalis

What’s your favourite way to use sage? Please Share in the comments.

04/01/2026

Happy New Year: 2026

I’ve long shared about the benefits of aligning our lives with the seasons. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the new year is still winter — a time for hibernation & reflection.

So, instead of setting big resolutions (that rarely last), try softer intentions and save goal setting for the Lunar New Year (17 Feb) or Spring.
Think small winter rituals to spark bigger commitments later on. Eg.

Mind: Journal or inspirational reading before media in the morning

Body: regular slow walks, gentle movement, earlier nights

Home: soft lighting, smaller nutrient dense meals, clearing one small space

Connection: a voice note, a handwritten card, a cosy catch up

January isn’t about doing more. It’s about honouring the season you’re in.

Please share in the comments your rituals.

28/12/2025

Despite our best intentions, the festive season tempts us all with indulgent treats.

Overdoing it can lead to indigestion, bloating, nausea, headaches and more. Don’t worry—herbs to the rescue!

Here are a few herbs you might already have or can easily grab from the supermarket:

Peppermint tea
Reduces bloating, nausea, and indigestion.

Ginger tea or fresh
Eases nausea, boosts digestion, and reduces bloating.

Dandelion Root tea
Supports your liver and gallbladder while gently detoxifying.

Fennel or Coriander tea, chew the seeds or add to food.
Relieves gas, bloating and indigestion.

Chamomile tea
Soothes your stomach, reduces inflammation and promotes relaxation.

Turmeric (in tea, milk, or food)
Helps your liver and reduces inflammation.

Cinnamon (in coffee, milk, or food)
Improves digestion and boost circulation.

Holy Basil (Tulsi) tea
Reduces stress, inflammationand helps your liver recover from oxidative damage.

Rosemary (in tea or food)
Improves circulation and helps shake off that hangover fog.

Practical Tips
Take herbs before a meal / drink in preparation or right after and when discomfort starts.
Stay hydrated with plenty of water or herbal teas.
Skip more alcohol until your body feels better.

Which herb is your go-to? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Enjoy the festivities. 🎄💫

21/12/2025

Christmas herbs

Traditionally herbs have been part of winter rituals — used to protect, purify, soothe & bring hope during the darkest days.

Frankincense
Tea/Steam: calms mind, eases tension, supports meditation & sleep, clears congestion
Topical: diluted in carrier oil for skin, scars, blemishes & sore muscles/joints

Myrrh
Tea/Steam: similar to frankincense
Topical: antifungal & antiviral; diluted for skin or muscle aches

Mistletoe
Use only under a Medical Herbalist. Supports nervous & cardiovascular systems; eases tension & stress

Sage
Tea: digestive support, sore throats, hot flushes, mental clarity
Topical: cooled infusion for skin, minor cuts, tired feet & scalp

Rosemary
Tea: focus & memory
Topical: hair rinse or compress for tired muscles

Cinnamon
Tea: warming & digestive aid
Topical: diluted oil for cold, stiff muscles

Clove
Tea: grounding & digestive aid
Topical: diluted oil for sore muscles or gums

Nutmeg
Tea: relaxation & digestive aid
Topical: diluted oil for tense muscles or abdomen

Pine & Fir
Tea: lung & immune support (safe species only)
Topical: steam or chest compress for congestion

Bay
Tea: warmth & digestive aid
Topical: massage oil for joints; used in rituals

Which Christmas herb do you love most & how do you use it? Share in the comments!

15/12/2025

Clicking, Collecting. �Dashing around. � Popping from shop to shop.
Parcels arrive. Unbox, wrap.
Cook. Clean. Decorate.�
Show up at events and burn the candle at both ends.
Do one more thing for work.
�Be the host with most. Do it all.

And, it becomes too much.

So often we do all of it not because it brings us joy�but because we’re afraid of what others might think if we don’t.

�We say yes when we’re tired.� We overdeliver when we’re already stretched.� We perform the season instead of living it.

This is where Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory comes in.

Let them think the house could be tidier, more designer like or cleaner
Let them judge the ready meal / shop bought food .
Let them raise an eyebrow at your boundaries
�Let them have their opinions.
Let them wait until next year for that one more work deliverable ( negotiate it).

You get to choose what’s manageable, what feels good, �what actually matters to you.
Peace doesn’t come from getting more done, �it comes from deciding what you’re willing to let go of and doing so.

If this resonates, explore more from Mel Robbins at melrobbins.com�

Selfcare this week :
Name one or more things you’re doing out of fear of judgement� and give yourself permission to let it go.

Enjoy the season doing what you love with the people you love.

07/12/2025

Last weekend I was hit with a stomach bug followed by a cold over the week. Selfcare has been taking my own Herbal Medicine.

Here are my go-to remedies that you can follow if and when you get a cold.

YEP Tea Blend (Yarrow • Elderflower • Peppermint)
A classic herbalist combination for when your system needs support:

Yarrow – reduces fever, increases circulation & eases digestive cramping.
Elderflower – essential for upper respiratory conditions easing congestion & supporting the immune response.
Peppermint – settles nausea, relaxes the digestive tract, eases headaches & clears congestion.

Fresh garlic
A natural antimicrobial, helping to overcome infections.
Mix into hummus, salad dressings and sauces. Make bruschetta and garlic bread.

Italian-ish soups
Think tomato, minestrone or any broth made with lots of herbs:
• Rosemary – clears head congestion, supports circulation & eases fatigue.
• Thyme – effective for coughs, wheezing and asthma. Antimicrobial & antiviral.
• Basil – calming for digestion and inflammation.
• Marjoram – soothing, supports immunity & helps ease congestion.
• Oregano – strong antimicrobial & antiviral.

And of course: rest & quality sleep
The simplest medicine and the one we often skip.
Diffuse aromatherapy oils such as eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme and rosemary in your bedroom to help ease congestion for good sleep. You can also drop some of these onto a cotton pad and place under your pillow.

If you’re under the weather too, I hope you’re resting and nourishing yourself today.

23/11/2025

Now the clocks have gone back and the evenings are drawing in, many of us feel our energy dip. Shorter days with less light and warmth can lead to low motivation and mood.

If you are feeling this way, now is the ideal time to follow the Ayurveda principles of aligning routines and tasks to the body’s natural daily cycle. You’ll find that vitality soon returns.

Early morning (Vatta time:2.00am – 6am)
Creativity and clarity awaken.

Morning (Kapha time: 6am–10am)
Gentle movement, grounding routines and a nourishing breakfast help awaken the body without force.

Midday (Pitta time :10am–2pm)
Your digestion and focus are at their peak. This is the best time for your main meal, deeper work, decision-making and learning.

Afternoon (Vata time: 2pm –6pm)
Your creativity and imagination increase. This is the perfect time for lighter tasks, collaboration and inspired thinking.

Evening (Kapha time: 6–10pm)
Wind down. Eat a light dinner. Reduce stimulation. Let the body shift naturally toward rest.

Night (Pitta time: 10pm–2am)
The body cleanses, repairs, and restores — true healing hours. Sleeping before 10pm supports this process.

Honour your inner clock by eating, working, learning and resting in harmony with these rhythms so the body stops struggling and vitality emerges.

How will incorporate these times into your schedule. We’d love to hear in the comments.

09/11/2025

A little nostalgia boost

I visited the two older kids in London this weekend and called into Brickwood for brunch where I found a little slice of Australia in Clapham.

There it was on the table, a classic Milo tin! Instantly I was transported back to childhood afternoons sharing chocolate milk with neighbourhood friends and teenage weekends munching on Milo bars between netball matches.

It reminded me how powerful it can be to reminisce — to reconnect with joyful memories. Reflecting on happy times isn’t just comforting; it can:

Boost your mood and reduce stress
Strengthen your sense of identity and belonging
Help you feel grateful for the past and present

So, here’s a little wellbeing prompt for today:
What joyful memory can you revisit?

02/11/2025

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble. What’s brewing?

As an herbalist (sometimes known as a white witch) I use plants to heal. Interestingly many herbs once used to ward off evil witches and spirits are used today for their healing magic. A few favourites include:

Fennel – hung over doors to keep witches away.
Today: A digestive herb that eases bloating, wind, and indigestion.
Sautee fresh fennel and add to sauces, soups and stews. Roast as a side or thinly slice in a salad with a lemon & olive oil dressing. Use seeds in rubs, salads, dukkah and tea.

Garlic – for courage and protection from evil.
Today: A natural antibiotic if eaten fresh in pesto, hummus, on a bruschetta or in dressings. Also useful for heart and respiratory health.

Oregano – to guard against evil spirits.
Today: An antimicrobial. Consume as a tea, in soups, sauces, stews and on roasted vegetables.

Elder – thought to house a wise spirit; branches were hung to protect the home.
Today: Elderflowers & berries are antivirals for colds and flu. Have flowers as a tea or cordial and berries as a syrup.

Mistletoe – a charm against witchery and now a symbol of love and peace.
Today: A qualified medical herbalist may use it for certain cardiovascular, nervous and immune system conditions.

May herbs heal your aliments and protect your home this season.

How do you use these magical plants? Share in the comments.

Ilkley Complementary Therapies

25/01/2026

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11/01/2026

04/01/2026

28/12/2025

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Monday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm