Rachel Shackleton's blog

Interoception – How we interpret and understand our body’s sensations

“Interoception” is not a new concept, it was already receiving attention over 10 years ago. However, with rising numbers of people suffering from mental health illnesses, often emotion and mood related is triggered by external factors that lead to internalising negative thoughts and feelings frequently to a point of “no control.”  Consequently, “interoception” as a concept takes the stage more noticeably.

Pumpkins - More Than a Lantern

Pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, genus Cucurbita and is grown primarily as a vegetable or ornamental plant. It is extensively grown throughout tropical and subtropical countries, with the most common types worldwide being Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita pepo. The name pumpkin comes from a Greek word ‘pepon’, meaning a large melon. Pumpkins come in different shapes & colour, usually orange but can be yellow, white, green or red.

Elderberries - Nature's Great Healers

Guest post by Naga Sanapally

Elderberry or Sambucus nigra, the Latin name, is one of the most versatile herbs closely tied to human health and healing. The history of Elderberry dates all the way back to 400 BC, and Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” called the Elder tree his “medicine chest”, for it  seemed to cure a wide variety of ailments.

Plantain - The Unloved Super Herb

Plantago lanceolata and major are both common plants that grow across most of the United States and United Kingdom and are a member of the Plantaginaceae family. Plantain, as commonly known, likes to put down roots near human activity and is often found along roadsides, popping up through sidewalk cracks, in meadows and other areas where the soil has been disturbed. Not surprisingly, plantains in the garden are common and are usually considered unwelcome weeds.

The Benefits of Aloe Vera

Guest post by Naga Sanapally

Everyone longs for the summer getaways to the pools and beaches and sipping cold drinks at the waterside, but the joys of summer can sometimes leave you with sunburn. We are aware that the summer season brings a number of skincare issues that leave skin dry, dehydrated and rough.