What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Ilkley Complementary Therapies

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Ilkley Complementary Therapies

Our door is open to everyone wishing to maintain or enhance a sense of wellbeing.

21/06/2026

Has the recent humid weather made your hay fever worse? You're not alone!

Several people have asked me recently what natural remedies may help ease sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and a streaming nose. While there's no magic cure, some herbs and simple lifestyle measures may help.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)is often called nature's antihistamine. Research suggests it may help modulate the body's response to pollen, thanks to compounds including quercetin. It's also packed with vitamins and minerals.

Try a simple nettle tea: steep dried nettle leaves in boiling water minimum of 5 minute, strain and enjoy. I like adding lemon balm, ginger or lemon.

Eyebright has traditionally been used for itchy, watery eyes.

Peppermint contains menthol, which may help ease the feeling of nasal congestion.

Other useful herbs include chamomile, elderflower and turmeric, while quercetin-rich foods such as apples, onions and berries may also support allergy management.

Remember the basics:
Stay hydrated
Shower and wash hair after being outdoors
Change clothes after gardening or walks
Use a saline rinse or neti pot
Keep windows closed when pollen counts are high
Wear sunglasses outdoors

Always seek advice from a suitably qualified healthcare professional before using herbal remedies.

Have you tried nettle tea for hay fever? What works best for you?

14/06/2026

Remembering David Hockney this weekend: A life lived in colour, curiosity and wonder.

Hockney's work celebrated the beauty found in every day scenes. From the iconic blue swimming pools of Los Angeles to vibrant flowers and the ever-changing seasonal landscapes of rural Yorkshire and France. They reveal how light, colour, weather and time transforms what we see.

The relevance to wellbeing is his attention to the present moment. His paintings encourage us to slow down, observe closely and find joy in the world around us. Research shows that spending time noticing nature, colour, light and seasonal change can reduce stress, improve mood and enhance our sense of connection to the world.

Hockney also embraced innovation throughout his career. In his later years, he became a pioneer of digital art, creating hundreds of works on the iPad. His willingness to experiment, learn new skills and remain creatively curious reminds us that growth, creativity and adaptation can continue throughout life, regardless of age.

His art teaches us valuable wellbeing lessons:�
Notice beauty in ordinary moments: colour, light, shape.�
Spend time observing nature and seasonal change.�
Engage in creative activities without fear of experimentation.
Stay curious.

Perhaps one of Hockney's greatest gifts was showing us that happiness can be found not in grand events, but in paying attention to a flower, a landscape, a changing sky, or seasonal colours snd light.

View his works online, in a book or at a gallery and be uplifted.
Look outside and really notice the colours, shapes, textures and light. Notice your stress reduce.

10/06/2026

Feeling stressed, tired or under the weather? A visit to a gallery or museum might be just what you need.

One of the enjoyable parts of my role as Joint Chair of Ilkley Manor House is visiting other heritage buildings which house art and learning about how they engage artists and visitors. This week, I spent a delightful day with colleagues at Sunny Bank Mills and South Square Centre. Even though I wasn't feeling my best, I came away feeling uplifted and inspired.

It reminded me of the wellbeing benefits of museums and galleries: they help us slow down, reduce stress, spark curiosity, encourage mindfulness, connect us with stories and creativity, and provide a gentle escape from everyday pressures.

If you live near Ilkley, consider visiting the Re - Play exhibition at Ilkley Manor House. It's a wonderful opportunity to engage with 2D and 3D works and enjoy all the wellbeing benefits that art can bring. Plus, you can immerse yourself in our beautiful heritage building and peaceful outdoor spaces.

Where will you visit next? I'd love to hear about the galleries, museums and heritage places on your list.

03/06/2026

Wellbeing Wednesday: Welcome to Summer

This week marks the beginning of summer and the peak of our energy cycle. Just as nature is in full bloom, we often feel more outward focused, social, creative and motivated. It's a time for taking action on ideas, embracing opportunities and enjoying the abundance around us.

The benefits of embracing summer energy:
Increased motivation, creativity, mood and wellbeing
Greater confidence and visibility
Stronger social connections
A renewed sense of purpose and momentum

How to align with summer energy:
Spend more time outdoors and soak up natural light.
Prioritise movement that feels energising and joyful.
Connect with friends, family and your community.
Take action on projects and goals that have been developing over the spring.
Enjoy seasonal foods such as berries, leafy greens, tomatoes and fresh herbs.
Celebrate progress and acknowledge your achievements.

Caution: summer energy can also tempt us into doing too much
When everything feels exciting and possible, it's easy to overcommit, over-schedule and ignore our body's need for rest. Burnout often happens when we stay in 'action mode' for too long.

To stay balanced:
Schedule recovery / rest time as intentionally as work time and check in regularly with your energy levels.
Protect your sleep
Stay hydrated and nutritionally fueled.

The most sustainable summer is about using your energy intentionally, enjoying the season and creating space for both play and rest.

How are you planning to embrace the energy of summer this year? I’d love to hear in the comments.

17/05/2026

It’s exam season in the UK and many students are feeling anxious, overwhelmed and under pressure right now.

The good news? By supporting your wellbeing, your brain will work its best and these same tips help with work stress and life overwhelm too.

Get morning sunlight
Signals to the brain that it’s time to feel alert and awake, helping improve focus, mood and energy levels during the day, while also supporting better sleep at night.

Longer exhales
When stress rises, longer exhales help signal safety to the brain and reduce feelings of panic and overwhelm.

Take breaks AFTER each topic review
Rest helps move information into long-term memory. Short walks, stretching or quiet time can actually improve learning and concentration.

Support sleep
Chamomile, lemon balm , skullcap, passionflower, lime flower or lavender tea can help the body unwind and improve sleep quality — essential for memory and emotional regulation.

Feed your brain
Protein, healthy fats, berries, nuts, oats and leafy greens all support focus and sustained energy better than sugar and energy drinks.

Helpful supplements
Magnesium, omega-3 and vitamin D are often used to support stress resilience, sleep and brain health. Always seek professional advice before taking.

Move your body
Even a 10-minute walk can reduce stress hormones and improve mood, focus and energy.

Be kind to yourself
Your worth is not defined by exam results, productivity or performance. The wellbeing tools you learn now will support you through work, relationships and life too.

What helps you stay calm during stressful times? Please share your tips.

10/05/2026

Busy week?
That’s exactly why I’m making time to create something.

Tonight I’m following a YouTube tutorial to crochet a flower for a handmade birthday card.

Creative moments like this can:
Reduce stress
Improve focus
Enhance confidence
Give busy minds a rest from screens and scrolling
Provide small moments of joy

You don’t have to be good at crafts to feel the benefits . It’s just about slowing down, learning something new and enjoying the process.

So this week, what will you create, make, bake, draw, plant, write or try?

03/05/2026

May Day: an invitation to bloom

Tomorrow, communities across the country will come alive with May Day celebrations. There will be maypole dancing, May Queens crowned, flowers gathered and carnivals. These traditions trace back to the ancient pagan festival of Beltane, marking the beginning of Summer though it sits at the halfway point between Spring and Summer. It was a time when communities gathered to celebrate fertility, growth and the long awaited return of light and warmth. People intentionally noticed life re-emerging all around them.

We don’t often pause to honour these seasonal shifts anymore. So, let May be the month where your wellbeing is guided by nature. Notice what’s returning, what’s growing and what feels ready to bloom? Here are few prompts.

What is ready to bloom?
What’s been growing quietly in your life that now needs to bloom? an idea; a habit, or ritual; a boundary; a conversation.

What are you growing towards?
What kind of season are you stepping into personally or professionally?

What needs tending?
What do you need to give a little more care and attention to: your health; hobbies; relationships; or work? Small, consistent attention makes all the difference.

Where can you invite in more light?
Longer days remind us to seek out what energises us. This could be more time outside or more joy, connection or honesty.

Where can you lighten things?
May is a move away from winter’s heaviness. Where can you release pressure, simplify or allow things to feel a bit easier?

What can you celebrate?
May Day is about joy. Not everything has be improved. What’s already good in your life that deserves acknowledgement?

I’d love you to share in the comments what you’ll do this May to support your wellbeing.

26/04/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month

This year’s theme reminds us that small daily actions really do add up. As medical herbalist, I like to use the power of plants:

WORRY
Tea: Skullcap, Valerian, Passionflower
Aromatherapy: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lavender

LOW MOOD
Tea: St John’s Wort, Tulsi, Ginkgo
Aromatherapy: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lavender

SLEEP
Tea: Chamomile, Valerian, Passionflower
Aromatherapy: Lavender, Neroli, Cedarwood

STRESS & OVERWHELM
Tea: Lemon balm, Chamomile
Aromatherapy: Peppermint, Orange, Rosemary

SHOCK / ACUTE STRESS
Flower essences: Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum

FATIGUE
Tea: Ginseng, Rhodiola, Peppermint
Aromatherapy: Citrus oils , Mint, Basil

ANGER
Tea: Chamomile, Lemon balm, Rose
Aromatherapy: Rose, Chamomile

RECOVERY
Tea: Ashwagandha, Rose
Aromatherapy: Lavender, Neroli, Lemon

Plants = Natural support. Real impact.

Always consult a qualified health professional before using herbs / oils/ flower essences.

What’s your go-to plant for calm? Please share in the comments.

19/04/2026

April is Stress Awareness month

This year’s theme, , starts with you.

When you take care of your own wellbeing, the impact ripples outward to your family and then community or your team and then your organisation. Small shifts in how you show up can lead to more constructive, less reactive conversations, clearer thinking, enhanced creativity, greater productivity and stronger connections all around you.

Start simple this Selfcare Sunday and carry on into the week.
Some ideas are:

Step outside for 10 minutes
Fresh air and natural light helps regulate mood and reduce cortisol, the stress hormone.

Pause for 5 slow breaths
Activates the vagus nerve, helping calm your nervous system, reduce stress and bring you back to a more grounded, focused state.

Create a 1 hour tech free window
Reduces mental overload and improves sleep quality.

Start a worry journal with an allocated worry time
Write down your worries as they come and allocate a time block to manage them. This clears mental clutter and brings a sense of control.

Move your body gently
Boosts energy and releases feel good endorphins.

Reach out to someone you trust
Connection reduces stress and strengthens resilience.

Do one thing slowly and mindfully
Builds presence and reduces the constant ‘rush’ feeling.

You don’t need a complete overhaul just a starting point because when you shift, everything around you can begin to shift too.

What’s one small change you’ll make today to reduce stress or overwhelm?

I’d love you to share in the comments and be part of the ripple effect.

Remember our therapist can help management stress through Homeopathy, Flower Essences, Herbal Medicine, Reflexology and Massage.

Address

2 Castle Hill
Ilkley
LS299DT

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Website

http://www.ilkleycomplementarytherapies.co.uk/

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