You're a Natural Beauty: June 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 

Warrior 

There are five warrior postures, which can be practiced as a sequence or each one individually. Each brings its own certain character and power, but all the warrior postures help to connect your strength, compassion, and confidence. The positions promote endurance and through practice help to move past difficulties and find inner power. 

Physically the warrior postures build core strength and balance. Each posture benefits different areas of the body, but overall they strengthen the lower body, open the hips, strengthen the spine, abdominals, chest, shoulders and arms, and neck. 

Notice the big difference that subtle adjustments to your posture make, and breathe through these postures, feeling the fire grow in your belly as you do so. 

ESSENTIAL OIL 

Eucalyptus Oil 

The eucalyptus tree, originally native to Australia, is now grown all over the world. The healing power of the oil is extracted from the leaves which are dried and crushed to release the essential oil – this should always be diluted before using for medicinal purposes. 

Eucalyptus is probably best known for its benefits in treating coughs, sinusitis, and clearing mucus from the chest. This can be done by inhaling the vapour of steaming water, mixed with a few drops of essential oil, to loosen the congestion. 

An alternative method of application is to mix a few drops with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or almond oil, and rub onto the chest area two to three times a day. The same mix can also be used to soothe and help heal cold-sores due to the anti-inflammatory properties of eucalyptus. 

Although more research is required, studies have suggested that eucalyptus oil may help protect against MRSA (a type of bacteria that can cause an infection in the body) due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. 

DID YOU KNOW? 

Natural Mosquito Repellents 

While there are many commercial insect repellents available, they often contain a potent mix of toxic chemicals including DEET. If you are looking for a gentler alternative that is kind to both your skin and the environment, the following oils are known as natural repellents to help deter those pesky little biters! 

Thyme & Clove Oil: 

A mix of 50% thyme and 50% clove oil applied to the skin (check for any sensitivity) 

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil: 

Use 1 part lemon eucalyptus oil to 10 parts almond oil or witch hazel 

Lavender Oil: 

A few drops of lavender oil on a clean cloth or handkerchief and rub onto exposed areas of skin. 

Other essential oils that may help prevent mosquito bites are: 

Citronella, Catnip, Cinnamon & Tea Tree 

THERAPY CORNER

Laughter Therapy and Yoga 

Laughter therapy, or the more commonly practiced laughter yoga, may sound like a joke, but it’s actually backed by science and proven to have beneficial outcomes. The magic is in the body’s response to laughter; real or fake, it will release all those feel-good hormones and reduce the stress hormones. 

Laughter therapy has long been used by professionals to try and induce laughter in their patients via the medium of jokes, tv, films, and books. Laughter yoga was founded in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria, who realised that the brain doesn’t know the difference between real and fake laughter. Laughter yoga also provides the benefits of breathing and movement. 

Attending a laughter yoga session will leave you feeling relaxed and open, connected and joyful. Laughter is contagious and what starts as a fake laugh at the beginning of a session will more than likely be genuine by the end. 

At home, start by smiling at yourself in the mirror, then give a little chuckle, and see where laughter therapy will take you. 

IT’S A GUT FEELING 

Yoghurt 

Yoghurt is one of those ultimately adaptable food stuffs – have it for breakfast with cereal, porridge, on pancakes or in smoothies. Add it to cakes, sauces and dressings, as a side with curries and stews, or mix it with fruit and honey for pudding. Or simply snack on it between meals! 

It’s great to know then, that yoghurt is so good for us, and for our guts. It is calcium rich, and high in other nutrients such as B12 and riboflavin. It’s also high in protein which helps to build muscle, keeps you fuller for longer, and could help with weight management. 

In terms of gut health, a plain yoghurt with live cultures will be packed full of probiotics, all those goodies you want to feed the good bacteria in your guts. 

To get the most health benefits from your yoghurt choose one which contains live cultures and preferably not flavoured or with any added sugar. 

CRYSTAL POWER 

Citrine 

Citrine is a stone that radiates positivity and happiness sometimes referred to as the ‘success stone’ as it is said to promote good fortune and abundance. Citrine is a form of quartz ranging in colour from pale yellow to golden brown. 

Citrine is believed to carry the power of the sun, making it a warming and energising stone that is a powerful aid for manifestation. 

Practical Uses: 

Physical Healing: Citrine is highly regarded for improving energy by stimulating digestion, the spleen and pancreas. It is also believed to help cleanse and stimulate blood circulation. Its warming properties are said to fortify the nervous system. 

Emotional Power: Powered by positivity Citrine is a stone of joy, helping to overcome negativity, fear and feelingsof anger. Considered a useful stone in smoothing and resolving relationship rifts with its peaceful energy. 

Spiritual Properties: Citrine can be used for cleansing the solar plexus and navel chakras and it is also the stone to help open the crown chakra for intuition. Promoting inner calm – allowing wisdom to emerge and awakening the higher mind. 

SUPERFOOD 

Spinach 

Popeye wasn’t wrong to eat his spinach to give him extra power! Spinach, a leafy green vegetable, is incredibly nutritious with a host of healthy benefits. Boasting a wide range of vitamins and minerals that can pack a punch when it comes to promoting good health, immune function and even eye health. Spinach is very easy to incorporate into your diet; young spinach leaves make an excellent salad, they can also be added to many recipes in the final stage of cooking – allow them to just wilt for extra fibre and nutritional boost to food. 

Health and nutritional benefits include: 

● Containing high levels of nitrates, which have been shown to help moderate blood pressure levels and promote heart health 

● Spinach contains two components known as MGDG and SQDG which studies have shown may help slow down cancer growth 

● Contains quercetin that can help ward off infection and inflammation