Barbara's Blog

A luxurious Knots Elementals soaps.


Hedgehogs and Frogs!!

We had a most stunning bay tree in our garden which seemed to climb right up to the sky and we were devastated when it got a disease. Despite numerous efforts to save this majestic noble bay we had to cut it down (done very lovingly by Lucy’s Tom). He left a handsome stump which looked displaced in our garden and this prompted a total garden makeover which has given us much joy and satisfaction. We have fallen in love with our garden all over again after 25 years.

We now have a pond, small but perfectly formed complete with a frog and a vegetable patch reminiscent of our old allotment days which has provided us with yummy produce all summer and even into autumn. The bay stump is covered with nasturtiums and a climbing honeysuckle, we have planted a Victoria plum tree, an espalier apple tree and a new bay to boot. I have had two encounters with hedgehogs − one when the dogs disrupted his sleep amongst a pile of leaves and I was most concerned for him as he was so traumatised and lying on his back breathing very fast. I gave him reiki and some rescue remedy and after half an hour he slowly turned over and then gratefully crawled back amongst the tree roots to hide and fully recover. I was much relieved to see him better!

My frog (as I now call him) is a joy with the longest legs and he is amazing to see stretched out in his full glory gliding across our pond. I am mindful of these encounters in my life right now, having just turned 60 it feels the time is right for fresh attitudes and clearing out of one’s wardrobe so to speak and makeover one’s life in general. I can enjoy my life and maintain a sense of wonder about it, in spite of negative conditions. I can shuffle along, without too much seriousness and still achieve! If I am being too mundane, mired in the mud of everyday life, like my frog I can dip and dive into fresh creative waters and not get bogged down!

The rose shot is a gift from our gardens made from many, many rose petals and, if it takes your fancy, you can indulge in some for yourself!

Barbara, November 2011

• • •

I have steeped myself for the past twenty years in the mysteries and magic of plants and trees both aromatic and herbal. From them you get essential oils, aromatic waters, vibrational remedies like Bach Flowers, herbal preparations both macerated oils and tinctures, homeopathic succusions and tissue salts.

So just imagine when you smell rose essential oil the aromatic molecules migrate to 10 million olfactory nerve cells which have different receptor cells to fit each aromatic molecule shape – like a key in a lock. As the energy particle make their journey the sublte healing properties revitalise, harmonise and balance the mind and body.

I want to be able to help you identify from the large library of plant preparations to hand which ones are helpful to you, your family and where appropriate your animals. By narrowing down what is on offer you can feel able to dabble and engage in this exciting world and enjoy learning about it a little at the same time.

Energy comes in many forms and one that is easily shared is Reiki – an ancient form of Tibetan healing. If you feel curious to learn more about this I can take you on a Reiki journey which you can make your own as and how you find it works for you.

I hope this website gives you food for thought and desire to explore the healing power of the plant kingdom.

Join me on my journey

Barbara

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Editorial

KNOTS ELEMENTALS BESPOKE SKINCARE WORKSHOP, TEDDINGTON


"As you sit arround her kitchen table, Barbara Sargent, founder of Knots Elementals, talks you through the properties of various base and essential oils. After an hour of concentrated note-talking, I attempted mixing a few drops of neroli, lemon and jojoba, and manage to create a divine-smelling shampoo. My fellow students are less smug: "Mine smells like stuffing", complains one, who has overdone the rosemary.

Indeed, home blends are fallible, but as each dose can be mixed individually, the cost of getting it wrong is tiny. Next, we are taught how to mix body moisturisers, along with all aspects of aromatherapy, such as how to create a mood or banish a skin problem. Sargent's enthusiasm is infectious, but as I trundle home with my exfoliating scrub, hand cream and few oils - all for about £21 - I wonder if I will still be mixing my own body scrub in a fortnight. However, it takes only 20 seconds to mix, so maybe I will manage.

A few weeks later, my main dilemma, apart from which oils to use, turns out to be what to do with the half-empty bottles of shop-bought products that still line my bathroom shelves.

Best bit: Sargent is a former operations director at Penhaligon's, so you are guaranteed good insider tips. And then there are the very cute glass mixing pots."

Beatrice Aidin, THE SUNDAY TIMES [JANUARY 13, 2002]


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