Lavender Blue Complementary Therapy

27/10/2026

Mushrooms are a pleasant addition to many dishes, but did you know they have been used for centuries for their healing properties? One of these that has sparked my interest is Lions Mane. So called because it does resemble the mane of a lion as it grows from its anchor on a tree (picture below). It is protected in the UK, so it is illegal to forage for it yourself, but you can buy it pretty freely and cheaply fresh, powdered and as a supplement. But what does it do?

People have been turning to Lions Mane for a while now as a remedy for anxiety and mood. However, recent research has shown that it may well be beneficial in other ways. Research has been very limited so far (isn't it always when it''s something natural that may well be beneficial?). However it is worth keeping an eye on. Potential benefits include mood support indicating it may help alleviate mild anxiety and depressive symptoms. It's also a good antioxidant, something we should all be considering in view of the way our food, environment and other things are tampered with at source. What really sparked my interest is that it may support memory and mental clarity by promoting nerve growth factor (NGF) levels. As I am of the "older" persuasion, this is something that does concern me and I work with a lot of clients who have varying forms of dementia. If this research is taken further and proves to be beneficial then it could be a game changer for a lot of people. As always, when I write about something I am not usually recommending it. It is really up to you to do your own research, including any contraindications to any medication you may be on or conditions you may have. Personally though, I am going to add it to my regular supplement routine.

Thanks to Rod Ramsell for the photograph.

26/10/2026

Do you sometimes wonder how to incorporate essential oils safely into your home? Do you wish cleaning products were less ... chemical? My book will give you recipes, suggestions and tips for cleaning your house and even gardening, along with some fun facts along the way. Easily followed recipes with beautiful photographic illustrations, this book would make a perfect gift for someone or even for you, Available from Amazon,

Advice on cleaning the home and garden.

29/09/2026

!2 foods that can lower the risk of dementia. Unfortunately I don't like most of them!

The brain is the controller of the body. Whilst it is normal for cognitive function to slow down as we age, there are certain measures we can take to slow this down. An active lifestyle is one of them, along with doing crosswords and word search puzzles, reading and other activities that will exercise your body and your brain. But what about what we put into our body, our fuel? Research has show that the following can also assist in slowing down cognitive decline and dementia:

Oily fish (I do eat a lot of Tuna, thankfully, even though the cats want their share)
Blueberries
Broccoli (one of the easiest and best vegetables for freezing)
Coffee (I must increase my intake but I'm not sure I could manage four cups a day)
Avocado
Pumpkin seeds
Dark chocolate
Oranges
Nuts
Eggs (yuck)
Green tea (double yuck).

Turmeric is also mentioned in the article. However, I am very ambivalent about this. It states that the amount of Turmeric someone can consume as a food stuff will have little effect. However, in my opinion this is the safest way to take it. Whilst Turmeric as an admirable anti-inflammatory the list of contraindications for using it as a supplement is extensive, including those with liver or gall bladder problems and on certain medications, and long term use can cause kidney failure.

11/09/2026

Elderflower and elderberry is something that we see so often, we almost stop noticing it. We probably know the refreshing taste of Elderflower cordial, but are you aware of the health benefits attached to it? The benefits of elderflower include supporting a healthy immune system, and helping combat viruses and illnesses. It also contributes to respiratory health, treating sinus infections, as well as constipation, promoting healthy skin, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is a highly potent antioxidant.

The pretty white flowers that give way to polished black berries can be mistaken for other similar flowers including hog week and cow parsley so it is something that you should not pick or use unless you know what you are doing. Elderflower is more frequently seen as a tree rather than a ground growing plant.

10/09/2026

So what do you get when you book a massage with me? Based on our conversations I will blend essential oils especially for you. You will get a consultation at every appointment, whether you realise it or not. I prefer to carry this out in terms of an informal chat rather than sitting there with a clip board and check list. You will get a gentle massage, using essential oils and incorporating Reiki, as well as crystals if I think it appropriate. You will get the benefit of my years of training as a complementary therapist, along with my constant research into new discoveries and techniques. If I think it warrents it you will get a referral to another, trusted therapist. You will get a sense of enormous well being, a body that is expelling toxins and a restful night's sleep. What have you got to use by trying it for yourself?

09/09/2026

I've never been one to crave sugary stuff or chocolate, but when I gave up alcohol I suddenly developed a taste for it. I'm not sure whether it is the processed sugar in alcohol that I am missing, or whether I feel I need to reward myself for breaking a lifetime habit I'm really not sure. Whatever it is, we now know that white sugar is bad for us. Consuming too much white sugar can lead to various health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. It can also raise blood pressure and increase inflammation, contributing to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. We may think we only take a teaspoon in our morning, afternoon tea, night time drink etc. but it all adds up. Along with the hidden sugars in food and drinks it takes very little to push us over into dangerous waters. Why not replace it with honey?

Honey is one of the few things that never goes off and it offers several health benefits, including antioxidant properties, which help fight free radicals in the body, and anti-inflammatory effects, which can reduce inflammation, .potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. It also soothes sore throats and coughs, making it a natural remedy for respiratory issues. GP's are now using honey in surgeries to heal wounds and honey can be swapped for white sugar in almost every instance. It may take a little to adjust to having it in tea or coffee, getting the amount right and adapting your cooking but it can be done and the health benefits can't be denied.

With thanks to Art Rachen for the picture

08/09/2026

Resolutions are often made at New Year and forgotten about within days or weeks. As Autumn approaches, with it's shorter days, longer evenings and the tendency to stay indoors, why not use it to make some resolutions that will see you through the winter?

You don't need to enrol in a gym, or get your fitness gear on and go for a jog. There are many tutorials on YouTube that are free so why not try one or two of those that may suit you? For fitness you could try Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates or just simple stretching exercises. Focus on small things and make it a regular 10 minute part of your day and it will soon become a habit.

Cut down on alcohol. It is, after all, a poison and who wants to poison themselves deliberately? It's also empty calories so cutting it down or out will make you fitter and healthier. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, please feel free to contact me privately and I can point you in the direction of help.

Time is precious, especially when you are working and have children, so why not spend an evening making healthy meals in quantity and freezing what you don't need right away? It is healthier to cook from scratch and you don't need to be Cordon Bleu trained. It also saves money as it is cheaper to buy in bulk.

Look after your body and it will look after you, so make an Autumn resolution to turn small things into habits and your body and your family will thank you for it.

07/09/2026

I've posted before about poor body image. It's astounding how many people do suffer from this to one degree or another. We are all individuals. We aren't turned out from a mould, one after another, so that we all look the same and it's a good thing too. Next time you feel self-conscious about your body, take a moment to consider this:

Take a good look at those arms that have held the people and animals that you loved, that have comforted those in pain.

What about those eyes that have seen so much? Oceans and mountains, birth and death, wonderous sights and things you would rather not have seen.

Those legs that carried you day by day through long and short journeys. Shopping for your family, walking children to school, visiting elderly relatives and walking on the beach

Your feet that help keep you standing and moving forward on your hardest and your best days

Your smile that brightened many others days and gave you a lift when you saw something beautiful or funny.

And your body, not for the faults that you perceive but the way it has carried you through life. Very often without a second thought, apart from criticism, but it always came through for you.

Next time you are about to criticise your body stop and take another good look at it.

31/08/2026

Apologies for my absence last week. It was my son's 30th birthday at the weekend, the first without his dad. His partner and I decided to take him away for a surprise weekend so last week was full of planning meetings, packing and cake making. I hadn't used fondant icing before and my kitchen looked as if a snowman had exploded, but that's another story.

The beautuful crystal in the photo is rose quartz, sourced for me by tinkershealing and was just what I was looking for. I set the intent for love and protection and gave it to him from his dad.