You’re a Natural Beauty: May 2025

Each month Adele Trathan and Sara Whatley look at seven elements of living the life of a natural beauty, helping you to enrich the mind, body and soul in balance and holistic harmony 

YOGA 

Downward Facing Dog, Adho Mukha Svanasana 

If you attend a yoga class you will have many opportunities to practice Downward Dog – it is a teacher’s favourite pose as it stretches the whole body, calms the mind and in time, becomes a resting posture between vigorous flows and other poses. 

Setting the foundation of a Downward Dog is fundamental before lifting into the posture. The correct placement and pressure of the hands; engagement of the lower belly; how your arms spiral into the correct form; tucking the toes under. Then finally lifting the hips, keeping legs bent until you have found length in the spine. 

Play with shifting your weight forward and backwards, and ‘walk out your dog’ by bending each leg in turn. Work towards finding length in the spine, stretching out the back of the legs and sending the heals towards the floor, although it doesn’t matter if they don’t touch.

Eventually this pose will become restful and allow you to find your breath between postures. Return to this pose again and again and you will get more out of it each time. 

ESSENTIAL OIL 

Rosemary Oil 

Best known as a food seasoning, rosemary is one of the most popular aromatic and medicinal plants in the world. Rosemary’s essential 

oil – which holds the plant’s core components, or essence has long been popular in folk medicine and scientific studies are now proving its beneficial effects. 

Although most research is in preliminary stages, studies note that rosemary essential oil may boost health by improving mental focus and memory, fighting hair loss, relieving pain and inflammation, repelling certain insects and easing stress. 

In ancient Greece and Rome, rosemary was thought to strengthen memory. Recent research indicates that inhaling rosemary oil helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical important for thinking, concentration and memory. 

Studies have also shown that it can help stimulate hair growth when blended with a carrier oil and massaged into the scalp daily. Used in massage it may also help relieve mild pain, improve circulation in extremities, and reduce joint inflammation. In tests against 11 other essential oils, rosemary oil was the most effective mosquito and bug repellent when using a 10% dilution with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Onions in Socks 

This old-fashioned remedy to treat flu or a fever involves placing sliced onions in your socks and wearing them overnight! This method was believed to draw out toxins and reduce body temperature and mayhave been used by our great grandmas as traditional treatments were often passed down through the generations. 

Advocates claim that the onion’s natural components, which include sulphur compound and antioxidants, penetrate the skin, promoting detoxification and alleviating fever symptoms. Whilst there is no scientific 

THERAPY CORNER 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy which specifically focuses on changing thinking, emotions and behaviour patterns. ‘Cognitive’ is the thinking side of things, and ‘Behaviour’ is examining the things you do. It can treat many different mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, and eating disorders. 

CBT can give you coping skills for dealing with difficult situations. During a session of CTB with a therapist they may help you to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviour by working through some exercises, which you will then be encouraged to practice between sessions. They may also encourage filling in worksheets or keeping a diary to be worked through in the next session. CTB can be a short term but very practical and powerful tool in staying mentally healthy. 

IT’S A GUT FEELING 

Polyphenols 

You may have heard that polyphenols are a very healthy addition into your diet, but what are they and where do we get them? Polyphenols are a category of plant compound, which can act as antioxidants (helping fight dangerous free radicals) and help to reduce inflammation. 

The best-known polyphenols are red wine, coffee and tea, dark chocolate, and berries, and no wonder – what a brilliant list of healthy things we all love to indulge in! But they can also be found in an abundance of other fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, grains, herbs and spices, and a few other things such as olive oil, vinegar, and green tea. 

The benefits of a diet high in polyphenols can include protection from type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, and can give a boost to brain health and digestion. In the gut polyphenols may help to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and fend off harmful ones. They may also help probiotics thrive and survive. In a nutshell, up those polyphenols! 

CRYSTAL POWER 

Tiger’s Eye 

In ancient times, the glorious gemstone Tiger’s Eye was carried as a protective amulet against the forces of evil but it’s now also embraced as a healing stone that helps balance both physical and emotional wellbeing. Connected to both the root and sacral chakra, Tiger’s Eye is believed to help harness inner strength and build self-confidence. 

Practical Uses: 

Physical Healing: Tiger’s Eye is believed to help balance the bodies endocrine system, helping to restore vitality and build motivation especially when feeling sluggish and lethargic. It is also thought to help those suffering with seasonal affected disorder. 

Emotional Power: Linked to the root and sacral chakra, Tiger’s Eye is used to enhance confidence and help centre our emotional connections. Blocking toxic and negative energies it encourages inner strength and self-belief.

Spiritual Properties: Tiger’s eye is an earthy root chakra stone, helping to keep us grounded and with a solid foundation to explore deeper levels of spiritual consciousness. It is also regarded as an amplifier for enhancing physic abilities. 

SUPERFOOD

Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

The health effects of dietary fat are controversial; however, experts agree that olive oil – especially extra virgin – is good for you. It provides healthy fats, antioxidants and anti- inflammatory properties that could help prevent chronic diseases. It can be used in cooking or drizzled over salads and meals; however there are no exact recommendations for daily intake but half a tablespoon daily may offer health benefits. 

Health and nutritional benefits include:

● Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, olive oil’s predominant fatty 

acid is oleic acid which studies suggest reduces inflammation and oxidative stress

● Loaded with biologically active antioxidants that may help protect blood cholesterol from oxidation and protect against heart disease

● Strong anti-inflammatory properties, including oleocanthal, which can help reduce chronic inflammation – thought to be a leading driver of diseases

● Mediterranean countries have a lower incidence of heart disease and some cancers which may be linked to their diet which is rich in olive oil