Aromatherapy • Jan 6, 2026
Sauna Rituals with Essential Oils
The Health Benefits of the Sauna The sauna culture has spread rapidly here across the UK and other Western countries in recent years, especially within urban environments. Having grown up within the sauna tradition due to my Finnish heritage, I’ve experienced first-hand the many benefits and health enhancing qualities of this age-old custom. On the […]
Aromatherapy • Apr 2, 2025
The Benefits of Citrus Essential Oils: Focus on Lemon
Citrus essential oils are some the most popular and therapeutically beneficial of all botanical aromatics. Uplifting, bright and cheerful, their sweet-fruity scents are well suited to the Spring season when all of nature is beginning to burst into bloom. However, I love using citrus-scented oils all year round as they always add a ‘lift’ to […]
Aromatherapy • Mar 3, 2025
Springtime Renewal: An Aromatic Guide
The Spring Equinox The Spring Equinox in March brings with it the potential of new beginnings, warmer weather and days spent outdoors. This astronomical event marks the official beginning of Spring, when the sun crosses the equator, resulting in equal periods of day and night: it’s a moment of celestial balance and harmony. As the […]
Aromatherapy • Feb 6, 2025
Aromatic Aphrodisiacs: In the Mood for Love
Alluring Aromatics In India, the Hindu God of Love, Kama or Kamadeva is depicted with a bow shooting arrows adorned with fragrant flowers or an arrow tipped with jasmine oil. The most famous sexual manual of all, ‘The Kama Sutra’ or ‘The Scripture of Love’ contains many references to aromatics being essential for the art […]
Aromatherapy • Dec 5, 2024
Christmas DIY aromatherapy recipes, perfect for gifting
Here are a few festive aromatic recipes from my new beautifully illustrated book ‘The Botanical Home’ published by Hale coming out in April 2025. All these classic Christmas treats are easy to make and make wonderful gifts: a lovely and creative, craft-inspired pastime to do with children. Festive Scented Candles Why not try making your […]
Aromatherapy • Nov 6, 2024
Warm up to Christmas with the art of ‘Hygge’ & Aromatherapy
“walking in the woods today, leaves tumbling down make delicate patterns strewn across the ground, trampled underfoot, burnt reds and golden brown” – London, November 2024 Rest well & stress less As Autumn turns to Winter in the coming weeks, it is good to make the most of the seasonal changes: this a wonderful time […]
Folklore • Apr 3, 2024
The Scent of Spring: Rebirth, Renewal & Regeneration
April is all about rebirth and renewal. All of nature is waking up: the woods are full of swathes of pure-white wood anemones, there are fresh green leaves on the trees and more hours of daylight to enjoy. It’s the moment when Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, returns from her sojourn with Hades in the […]
Aromatherapy • Oct 2, 2023
Autumn Wellness: The Value of using Diffusion Blends in Preventing Airborne Infections
The Restorative Power of Winter Autumn is the season for retreat, rest and renewal. The leaves on the trees start to change colour and the wind has a restless quality, bringing them tumbling to the ground. Nature creates the perfect environment for all forms of life to recover over the autumn and wintertime, in preparation […]
Aromatherapy • May 4, 2023
Aromatics from Trees & the Therapeutic Effects of Walking in Woods
My daughter Tasha has recently returned from a trip to Japan where she spent some time hiking in the magnificent cedar forests of the Japanese Alps, as well as walking part of the ancient Nakasendo trail. Part of the route passes through much of the largely untouched and rural Kiso valley, that between the early […]
Aromatherapy • Jan 4, 2023
How to Make a Natural Aromatherapy Reed Diffuser
How to make a natural aromatherapy reed diffuser at home Homemade reed diffusers are easy to make, cost very little and make a lovely aesthetic alternative to the more standard oil burners or electric diffusers. Placed in a kitchen or bathroom, for example, they will emit an ongoing gentle fragrance and provide a healthy, hygienic […]
Aromatherapy • Oct 19, 2019
The Origins of Halloween & the Magic of Herbal Folklore
“The sense of smell is the most important factor in the laying of spells on people: magic, in order to achieve the greatest potency, must enter through the nose” – R. Lovell, A Complete Herball, 1665 The Origins of Halloween The custom of celebrating Halloween on the 31 st October began as the ancient Celtic […]