Author of Award winning  Essential Oils for the Whole Body (2020 Platinum Award winner),  and  Essential Oils for Mindfulness and Meditation (2019 Platinum Award winner),  and soon-to-be published  Healing with Essential Oils  (early 2022, Inner Traditions Bear & Co., Vermont USA).

I was introduced to essential oils, alongside other complementary medicine and integrated therapy principles and practices during the early 70’s.  I also learned to meditate, and remain forever grateful that I discovered this practice when I was young (a gift I have carried with me throughout my life – the experience of meditation, paradoxically, above and beyond anything else, anchors and grounds my mind, body and soul).  I lived in an ashram for over two years, where I learned to hone my meditation practice (although, in truth, meditation, simply, is conscious awareness of being present in each moment, breath by breath).

Leaving the ashram, I worked as junior secretary for the Company Secretary of Lewis-Selfridges, Oxford Road, London, but surrendered this role when Robert Tisserand invited me to work for him – already inspired by the philosophies of complementary medicine, I willingly embraced this invitation and opportunity – and so began my ‘essential oil journey’.

I later studied at the University of Salford, gaining a BSc (Joint Hon) Degree in Counselling and Complementary Medicine, and post graduate Masters Certificates in Integrated Mindfulness, and Supervision of Counsellors, and then a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate (PGCE) from Bolton Institute.

I ran a private aromatherapy practice, and taught in FE colleges (aromatherapy, reflexology, diet and nutrition, counselling skills), then lectured for several years at the University of Salford  in the School of Health Sciences and Social Care (now the School of Health and Society), where I was programme lead for the B.Sc. Integrated Therapies in Practice degree, and module lead for Aromatherapy, Supervision and CPD, Communication and Professional skills, Personal Tutor, and ran an aromatherapy clinic.

I have published several articles and research papers in various professional journals and magazines, including, for example, the International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy (IJCA), also Dorset Magazine, among others (articles include Essential Oils and ADHD, Essential Oils and the Autumn Years, Evaluation of CAM in Routine Practice, and more).  My main interest leans towards the psycho-emotional influence of essential oils and the consequential influence this has on health and wellbeing.  I am regularly invited to speak as a guest at national and international events, and radio and television shows.

Relocating from Lancashire to Dorset seven years ago, I continue to run my private aromatherapy practice, teach, and write.   My third book, Healing with Essential Oils, completes a complementary compendium, alongside Essential Oils for Mindfulness and Meditation and Essential Oils for the Whole Body (also published by Inner Traditions).  Healing With Essential Oils examines the journey of essential oils from plant to bottle and includes over fifty-eight in depth but easy to access essential oil profiles.  The aim of my books is to provide a sound platform for the ‘everyday’ user of essential oils so they may access and apply their manifold gifts safely and effectively for themselves.

I am the proud mother of four grown up children, and graced to be grandmother of twelve beautiful grandchildren.  And so, my journey continues……….