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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

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

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

26/04/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month

This year’s theme reminds us that small daily actions really do add up. As medical herbalist, I like to use the power of plants:

WORRY
Tea: Skullcap, Valerian, Passionflower
Aromatherapy: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lavender

LOW MOOD
Tea: St John’s Wort, Tulsi, Ginkgo
Aromatherapy: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lavender

SLEEP
Tea: Chamomile, Valerian, Passionflower
Aromatherapy: Lavender, Neroli, Cedarwood

STRESS & OVERWHELM
Tea: Lemon balm, Chamomile
Aromatherapy: Peppermint, Orange, Rosemary

SHOCK / ACUTE STRESS
Flower essences: Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum

FATIGUE
Tea: Ginseng, Rhodiola, Peppermint
Aromatherapy: Citrus oils , Mint, Basil

ANGER
Tea: Chamomile, Lemon balm, Rose
Aromatherapy: Rose, Chamomile

RECOVERY
Tea: Ashwagandha, Rose
Aromatherapy: Lavender, Neroli, Lemon

Plants = Natural support. Real impact.

Always consult a qualified health professional before using herbs / oils/ flower essences.

What’s your go-to plant for calm? Please share in the comments.

19/04/2026

April is Stress Awareness month

This year’s theme, , starts with you.

When you take care of your own wellbeing, the impact ripples outward to your family and then community or your team and then your organisation. Small shifts in how you show up can lead to more constructive, less reactive conversations, clearer thinking, enhanced creativity, greater productivity and stronger connections all around you.

Start simple this Selfcare Sunday and carry on into the week.
Some ideas are:

Step outside for 10 minutes
Fresh air and natural light helps regulate mood and reduce cortisol, the stress hormone.

Pause for 5 slow breaths
Activates the vagus nerve, helping calm your nervous system, reduce stress and bring you back to a more grounded, focused state.

Create a 1 hour tech free window
Reduces mental overload and improves sleep quality.

Start a worry journal with an allocated worry time
Write down your worries as they come and allocate a time block to manage them. This clears mental clutter and brings a sense of control.

Move your body gently
Boosts energy and releases feel good endorphins.

Reach out to someone you trust
Connection reduces stress and strengthens resilience.

Do one thing slowly and mindfully
Builds presence and reduces the constant ‘rush’ feeling.

You don’t need a complete overhaul just a starting point because when you shift, everything around you can begin to shift too.

What’s one small change you’ll make today to reduce stress or overwhelm?

I’d love you to share in the comments and be part of the ripple effect.

Remember our therapist can help management stress through Homeopathy, Flower Essences, Herbal Medicine, Reflexology and Massage.

05/04/2026

Easter is about hope and new beginnings.

Whether your table is filled with loved ones or set just for you, may today be about connection, gratitude and a moment to pause.

Enjoy the day with family, friends or do something special just for yourself.

I’d love to hear in the comments how you’re spending the day.

01/04/2026

I’m still endeavouring to balance my yin and yang ( see last week’s post) so it’s Wellbeing Wednesday instead of Selfcare Sunday for the time being.

It’s been wet, windy and icy cold where I live, yet the cherry trees are in full bloom on the Grove in Ilkley. Their beautiful pink blossom reminds us that Spring is on its way.

It got me thinking about the cherry. They are my favourite fruit and packed full of nutrients, so I can’t wait for the cherry season to start.

Why cherries are so good for you:

Vitamin C – supports your immune system and skin health.
Potassium – helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health.
Melatonin – supports better sleep.
Anthocyanins (antioxidants) – helps reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage.
Polyphenols – linked to reduced risk of chronic disease and improved recovery after exercise.
Fibre – aids digestion and supports gut health.

Easy ways to enjoy cherries:

Add to porridge/cereal / yoghurt
Blend into smoothies
Toss into salads
Bake into healthy muffins or bars
Make a fresh cherry salsa for savoury dishes

What’s your favourite way to use cherries?
Please share your ideas.

🍒

26/03/2026

Spring Equinox was last week on March 20. It was a moment of perfect balance between light and dark, rooted in the ancient wisdom of yin & yang.

Nature reminds us that life is a dance of opposites:
Day & night
Rest & play
Doing & being
Giving & receiving

When we honour both sides, we create balance within. I missed my selfcare Sunday post and now I’m just scraping in on Wellbeing Wednesday because I’ve been out of balance on the work and leisure scale.

So, as the seasons shift, take a moment to reflect:
Where might you be out of balance?
What opposite energy do you need more of?
What can you do to balance the energies?

This spring, choose one small shift to restore your balance.

What will you do? I’d love hear in the comments.

15/03/2026

It was World Sleep day on Friday this week (13 March 2026)
The theme this year is Sleep Well. Live Better.

This reminds us that sleep isn’t a luxury but a powerful foundation of wellbeing. Good sleep supports your memory, immune system, hormones, mood and energy.

And the secret to sleeping well? It actually starts in the morning.

Reset your body clock by stepping outside to get natural daylight in your eyes within 30 minutes of waking. This simple habit helps regulate your circadian rhythm so your body naturally produces melatonin at night.

Other sleep supporting habits include:
Moving your body during the day.
Reducing screens and bright lights in the evening.
Creating a calming wind down routine such as an aromatherapy bath, listening to music or an audio book or sipping mindfully on a herbal tea.

Herbs that support sleep include: Chamomile, Passionflower, Limeflower, Valerian, Vervain, Lemon balm, Skullcap, Hops, St John’s Wort, Oats, California Poppy.

Flower essences are particularly useful when sleep issues are linked to worry, racing thoughts or emotional overwhelm.

If poor sleep is an ongoing problem for you, a personalised approach can make all the difference. You can book a consultation with me as a medical herbalist or my colleague, Jenny Howarth, flower essence practitioner.

Because when you sleep well, you live better.

What helps you get a good night’s sleep? Please share your tips in the comments.

08/03/2026

It's International Women's Day, 2026, a moment to celebrate women’s achievements, recognise those whose stories are often overlooked and reflect on how we can continue to support one another.

On Friday evening I attended a fascinating talk at Ilkley Manor House by social historian and writer Irene Lofthouse titled Brilliant Bradford Lasses.

It shone a light on extraordinary women from across the Bradford district, from the 19th century through to today. She spoke of women who achieved remarkable things in their communities, professions and public life. Yet many of their names rarely appear in history books or the media.

Listening to these stories was both inspiring and thought provoking. It was a reminder that history is full of women who shaped the world around them, even if their contributions were not widely recorded or recognised.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is Give to Gain. The idea is that when we give support, recognition, knowledge or opportunities to women and girls, everyone benefits. When women thrive, communities thrive.

Irene’s talk was a perfect example of this. By researching and sharing these stories, she is giving visibility and voice to women who might otherwise remain hidden and in doing so we all gain a richer, more complete understanding of our shared history.

At the end of the talk, Irene asked us all a simple but powerful question:
Who is your own Brilliant Lass?

Today seems like the perfect day to reflect on this question.
It might be someone who inspired you, opened doors, challenged expectations or quietly made a difference in your life or community.

I’ve been lucky enough to have some amazing women in my life from my Grandma, Mother, Godmother, teachers, colleagues, managers, mentors and friends. You all know who you are: Kate; Jennifer; Christine; Helen; Diana; Nora; Jill; Jenny; Rita; Sarah; Stacey; Carole; Amanda; Andreea; and Mandy to name just a few.

I’d love to hear about your own brilliant lass/es. Please share in the comments.

05/03/2026

Today is World Book Day UK

This year the focus is on enjoying reading on your own terms and discovering how books can enrich our lives through imagination and curiosity.

If you were to browse my Kindle library you’d see consistent themes in my choice of novels: warm coastal settings; or historic cities where art, history and food blend into the story. There are stories of book /art clubs and renovating old houses. All create pleasurable, aesthetic images in my mind as I’m transported to those locations. I also love dual timeline novels because I enjoy hearing how people used to live and the socio-economic factors that shaped their lives.

Yet, non-fiction can be pleasurable too.

I love learning new things or reading different perspectives connected to my professional work.

This year I was excited to start reading Age Like a Girl: How Menopause Rewires Your Brain for Mental Clarity, Increased Confidence, and Renewed Energy by Dr Mindy Pelz because its message resonates with me and the work I do as a medical herbalist and wellbeing coach.

It’s a guide that helps you stop fearing the transition into menopause and start owning it. She takes us through what is really happening in our bodies physically and mentally, so we can make informed decisions about lifestyle changes and /or medication choices. If you don’t want to feel like a victim of peri-menopause and menopause, I highly recommend this book. It will help you embrace your next chapter with power, vitality, and peace.

I always have a fiction and non-fiction book on the go.

What are you reading for pleasure at the moment? I’d love you share in comments what you love about it.

01/03/2026

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (Happy St David’s Day)

Today we celebrate Saint David, the patron saint of Wales and the leek.

Leeks are linked to St David’s Day through legend. Some say St David asked his followers to wear leeks in battle for divine protection as the plant symbolises resilience, unity and rooted identity. Welsh archers also wore leeks at the Battle of Crecy, 1346 as a symbol of bravery and loyalty. In Shakespear‘s Henry V, a Welsh character wears a leek. Tudor monarchs later encouraged wearing leeks on 1 March. While the stories may not be factual, the leek has become a symbol of Welsh identity and pride.

Did you know leeks are full of health benefits? Here’s how:

Gut health
Rich in prebiotic fibres (especially inulin). These feed beneficial gut bacteria, supporting digestion, immune function, and even mood regulation.

Heart health
They contain flavonoids (notably kaempferol), which research links to reduced inflammation and protection of blood vessels.

Immune support
High in vitamin C and antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress.

Blood sugar balance
Their fibre content slows glucose absorption, supporting steadier energy levels.

Bone health
Contain vitamin K, essential for bone strength and proper blood clotting.

Easy ways to incorporate leeks into your diet

Make leek & potato soup
Sautée with garlic and butter / olive oil as a simple side
Add to risotto, pasta, tarts, quiches. They pair well with sage and parsley.
Roast whole with thyme and a drizzle of balsamic
Finely sliced into stir-fries

Today is a perfect reminder that simple, seasonal foods can be powerful medicine.

Tonight I cooked sautéed leeks in butter, olive oil, sage, parsley, a grating of nutmeg and cream as a sauce for butternut squash ravioli.

Are you cooking with leeks today?
What’s your favourite leek recipe? Drop it in the comments and inspire us .

22/02/2026

On Tuesday this week, the Year of the Fire Horse was welcomed in.
In Chinese astrology:

The Horse symbolises:
Freedom & independence
Energy & vitality
Passion & forward movement
Sociability & optimism

Fire symbolises:
Courage
Visibility
Creativity
Strong drive for action

So how does this link to wellbeing?

Freedom supports mental health
Horses thrive in open space. Where do you need more space? This could be outside, inside, in your job, relationships or schedule.

Energy needs direction
The Fire Horse reminds us that motivation is powerful but without focus can lead to burnout. Wellbeing this year is about channeling your energy on activities and people that mean the most to you, rather than scattering it everywhere.

Passion fuels purpose
Fire is heart-centred. Reconnect with what lights you up: hobbies, creative work, movement, meaningful relationships.

Foster sociability and optimism
Fire energy thrives on connection. Wellbeing this year comes from sharing your spark. Spend time with people who lift you up, volunteer with like minded people on something you are passionate about improving, laugh more. Optimism is fuel to feeling good.

Balance action with rest
Fire can burn bright and fast. True wellbeing means pairing action with recovery.

Things to consider trying as we move into the year:

Choose one bold, brave goal that could be accomplished in next 90 days. Start the first step.

Schedule weekly energy check-ins : what’s fuelling you? What’s draining you?

Move your body daily: choose to walk, dance, stretch, play sport, garden. Horses don’t stand still for long.

Create a small ritual to rest and refresh such as journalling, meditation, mindfulness, breathwork or time in nature.

This year invites brave but sustainable action.
Shine brightly without burning out.

What are you thinking of starting or stopping? I’d love you to share in the comments.

15/02/2026

Last night I attended Luminiscence Manchester at the cathedral.

It was wonderfully uplifting which left me reflecting on why so.

Was it the live choir’s harmonies?
The sacredness of a historic church?
The immersive play of light across ancient stone?
Probably all three.

What does luminescence actually mean?
Luminescence is the emission of light that isn’t caused by heat, rather it’s light produced through energy changes within a substance (chemical, electrical or biological). In other words, light generated from within, not from burning.

This translates to wellbeing.

Listening to live choral music can steady breathing, calm the nervous system and reduce cortisol. When we listen together, heart rates can synchronise and a shared emotional experience increases oxytocin, the bonding hormone.

Sacred, spiritual, historic spaces amplify this. Historic churches evoke awe. Research shows awe can reduce the stress response and increase feelings of connection and belonging.

Soft, shifting light influences mood, supports circadian rhythm and signals safety to the brain. It changes not just how a space looks, but how it feels in the body.

Song. Sacred space. Light. All spark our inner glow.

Ways to bring a little luminescence into your week
- Listen to choral or instrumental music and really immerse yourself in it.
- Spend time in a space that evokes awe or stillness - nature, a gallery or historic building
- Soften your lighting in the evening with low lamps or candles.
- Take three slow breaths and notice what settles you

Where might you create light from within this week? Please share in the comments

08/02/2026

Spice up your Valentine’s Day with heart healthy Cardamon

I love Cardamom because it smells so fragrant and is a gentle heart lover too.

Why cardamom benefits your heart:
• Polyphenols & flavonoids help combat oxidative stress linked to heart disease
• Potassium supports healthy blood pressure
• Antiinflammatory compounds support circulation and cardiovascular function

Ways to fall for cardamom this February:
• Add a pinch to your morning coffee or chai
• Sprinkle into porridge, smoothies, fruit & yoghurt bowls
• Crush into curries, rice dishes & desserts

Remember to love responsibly:
Culinary amounts are safe for most people. If you have gallstones or a sensitive stomach, stick to small amounts and avoid supplements without medical advice.

Make a Valentine’s treat:

Cardamom Coconut Cacao Rose Bliss Balls
Blend 1 cup each of pitted dates & soaked & strained almonds ( or nuts of choice), ½ cup shredded coconut, 2 tsp of crushed cardamom seeds, 1 tbsp cacao powder, 2 tsp coconut oil & a splash of rose water. Roll mixture into balls, then optionally - seeds, rose petals, cacao or melted chocolate. Chill & enjoy.

Added heart bonus:
Rose supports emotional wellbeing by reducing stress & supporting circulation - key in heart health.

Cacao is rich in flavanols supporting blood flow, nitric oxide production & overall heart health. It also boosts mood.

Please share your favourite cardamon recipe in the comments.

❤️

Ilkley Complementary Therapies

26/04/2026

19/04/2026

05/04/2026

01/04/2026

26/03/2026

15/03/2026

08/03/2026

05/03/2026

01/03/2026

22/02/2026

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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