You’re A Natural Beauty - September 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 

THERAPY CORNER 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a comprehensive psychotherapy, best known for treating trauma, particularly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it can also help with a range of other issues including anxiety, depression, addictions, behavioural difficulties and relationship issues. 

It works by helping you to process and recover from difficulties from your past with a combination of side-to-side eye movements and talk therapy. The side-to-side movements stimulate the different sides of your brain and help you access what you have stored in your subconscious mind. 

It is said that ‘trauma is written in the body’ – traumatic events can staywith you replaying in negative images, emotions, beliefs and body sensations. EMDR can help to unstick these symptoms, allowing you to see things from a different perspective and hopefully relieve some of the pain and trauma. 

ESSENTIAL OIL 

Chamomile 

Chamomile oil is extracted from the flowers of the chamomile plant and there are two different varieties of chamomile that are generally used: 

• Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) 

• German chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamomilla recutita) 

The two plants are slightly different in appearance and the chemical composition of the active ingredient chamazulene is higher in German chamomile. 

Chamomile has been used for centuries from ancient Egypt, Greece and Roman times. It is known for its calming properties and is used in aromatherapy to combat anxiety and soothe frayed nerves. It has also been used for wound healing of ulcers and sores and easing skin conditions. Always do a patch test before applying to the skin and dilute with a carrier oil. 

Chamomile oil can be used to induce a calming environment by adding a few drops to a room diffuser or mix 10-15 drops to 30ml of water in a glass spray bottle, shake and spritz. 

Drinking chamomile tea is thought to have healthy benefits including:

• Promoting a good night’s sleep 

• Calming digestive upsets, including indigestion, nausea and gas

• Anti-inflammatory and pain relief for conditions such as back-pain, headaches and arthritis.

  
  

DID YOU KNOW? 

Have a squeeze to sleep! 

• This muscle tensing and releasing exercise is known as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and can help you relax and settle into sleep, particularly if you suffer from stress or anxiety induced insomnia. 

  
  

• The practice involves tensing and relaxing muscle groups, generally starting from the lower body extremities as follows: 

  
  

• Sit or lay down, somewhere warm and comfortable where you won’t be disturbed and take a few relaxing deep breaths as you settle. 

  
  

• Then while inhaling, contract the muscles in your feet for 5 to 10 seconds, then as you exhale release the tension in those muscles.

  
  

• Relax for 10-20 seconds between each area and then repeat the process. Work your way up the body, doing the same to your calves, thighs, buttocks and pelvis, arms and hands, abdomen, chest, shoulders and neck and finally the face.

  
  

• When relaxing each muscle group, try to focus on the release of tension and imagine any stressful feelings flowing out of the body. 

YOGA

Cat Cow, Marjaryasana Bitilasana 

Cat pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow pose (Bitilasana) are often combined as a foundational yoga pose – Cat Cow. They are also sometimes referred to as a single pose, Chakravakasana. 

You will often practice Cat Cow at the beginning of a yoga class, and many other types of exercise class too, as it is such a great way to gently warm up the spine in preparation for deeper movements. It can also be practiced at any time as a stand- alone pose as it provides a welcoming wholesome stretch, connection with your body and breath, and can elicit a sense of calm.

Starting in Table Top position (on all fours), make sure to set your foundations – wrists under shoulders, knees under hips, tops of feet pressed into the floor, flat back and elongated neck. Then, with the breath, flow between the cat and the cow movements, noticing as you climb up and down each step of the spine, as the heart radiated forward, and as your internal organs get massaged by drawing in your belly button. 

IT’S A GUT FEELING

Lifestyle 

It’s not just what we put into our bodies that affect them, it’s our lifestyle choices as well. Our guts can be strongly influenced by how we live our lives, and if poor choices are made then we might pay the price with digestive issues, ulcers and discomfort. 

Keep your guts happy by following these simple healthy lifestyle choices: 

• Manage Stress – Many people feel stress in their tummies; try to reduce it by relaxation techniques, mindfulness and talking. 

  
  

• Smoking & Drinking Alcohol – cutting out smoking and drinking in moderation can make a really positive change to your lifestyle, reducing reflux, heartburn, stomach acid and other digestive disorders. 

  
  

• Eating & Drinking – eating a balanced diet low in processed food will keep that gut microbiome happy, as will keeping yourself well hydrated. 

  
  

• Exercise & Sleep – getting or keeping your body moving helps everything to run smoothly, physically and mentally. And making sure you get enough sleep is very important too. 

CRYSTAL POWER

Lapis Lazuli 

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue stone, sometimes flecked with gold, and often referred to as the ‘The Wisdom Stone’. It is associated with wisdom, honesty, and spiritual awakening. With its glorious colour, historically it has been used for jewellery in ancient Egypt, ground into pigment colour for artists and associated with royalty, honour and the divine. 

Practical Uses: 

Healing Properties: Lapis Lazuli is regarded to reveal deep inner truths and promote authenticity. It is said to encourage truth and clarity as it connects with the throat chakra to ensure that your authentic voice always speaks out. 

Physical Properties:If you suffer from throat or thyroid problems then Lapis Lazuli is thought to unblock problems in this area. This stone is believed to promote positive mental balance and help with depression and insomnia. 

Spiritual Properties: Lapis Lazuli is also linked to the third-eye chakra, known for being the eye of consciousness, motivating intuition, wisdom, and insight. Awakening the third-eye chakra may help to tap into hidden psychic abilities. 

SUPERFOOD

Turmeric 

Turmeric comes from the ginger family and has been used in India for thousands of years - both as a cooking spice and medicinal herb. Research has shown that turmeric contains curcuminoids compounds that have medicinal properties, with the main active ingredient being curcumin. As a dry spice it’s easy to add to food when cooking curries, stews and soups. It is also available in numerous supplementary forms, including tea, capsules and shot drinks. 

Health and nutritional benefits include: 

• Turmeric contains several bioactive compounds which have potential benefits including improving gut health and the immune system.

  
  

• Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound and a potent antioxidant.

  
  

• Curcumin has shown some positive effects on the brain including boosting serotonin and dopamine, reducing inflammation, and encouraging brain plasticity.

  
  

• Cancer treatment studies have found that curcumin may potentially inhibit cancer growth and development.