Rachel Shackleton's blog

Perhaps you think that the Chinese philosophy of naming each year after an animal has no meaning, you might be right? On the other hand perhaps there is something in it. This ancient tradition is based on a 12 year cycle. Apparently the Jade Emperor, ruler of heaven and earth, held a "Great Race" across the river and the first 12 animals to reach the palace had a year named in their honour. 17 February 2026 marks the start of the Year of the Horse, sometimes known as Fire Horse, replacing the Year of the Snake who slithers off, having shed its skin for another 11 years before returning.

Inspired by a recent experience in Saint Pedro do Sul in Portugal, a source of natural geothermal waters, I investigated the powers of ancient healing waters. For centuries, people have travelled far and wide to soak in thermal waters — long before wellness became a trend. From Roman bathhouses to natural hot springs nestled in mountains, thermal waters have been valued for their restorative properties, offering both physical relief and deep mental relaxation.

Bitter herbs are plants with a distinctly sharp, bitter taste that have been used for centuries to support digestion, cleanse the body, and anchor many healing and seasonal rituals in folk traditions. They work primarily by stimulating the body’s digestive reflexes and vital organs, while carrying a rich heritage of myth, magic, and everyday use in kitchens and health clinics alike. 

How Bitter Herbs Support Digestion and Affect the Body

Many of us struggle at this time of year with the cold, damp, short days and long nights. I feel I have to accomplish everything by 430pm when the sun goes down even though there is still many hours before bed. Mind you having said that, by 6pm I’m ready to retire, but usually manage to avoid that temptation! 

Over 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates, often called the “Father of Medicine,” shared a simple truth that continues to echo through the centuries: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

In our fast-paced, convenience-driven world, this quote feels more relevant than ever. Today, food is too often treated as a quick fix for hunger rather than the foundation of our health. Yet Hippocrates’ wisdom reminds us that every bite we take has the potential to heal—or to harm.

The Power of Everyday Choices