Jasmine and Arnica

‘An object lesson in courage, without any self-pity’ Kate Adie

Since childhood, Nicola Naylor had been enthralled by India: “Images of goddesses and temples with monkeys, elephants and colourfully dressed people crowded my imagination, and I wanted to go there. But my travel fantasies dissolved when I lost my sight as I was finishing university.”

Disregarding the warnings and her own private fears, Nicola Naylor set out on a journey through the India she had always imagined but had never seen. It was a dream she knew she must follow in order to come to terms with her blindness.

As an aromatherapist, there was a practical aspect to her endeavour; to find instruction from the ancient techniques of the region which she could apply in healing others. But in daring to step into the unknown Nicola found for herself a renewed trust in the world and, more importantly, rediscovered her self-belief.

Told with vivid and evocative insight, Jasmine & Arnica is the story of a young woman’s determination and a celebration of the power of vision – beyond sight – to reveal what’s closest to the heart and to uncover life’s most precious, unseen joys.

‘Inspiring’ Daily Mail

‘An account of one blind woman’s journey around the Indian subcontinent in search of a deeper understanding of aromatic oils. Her “third eye” describes in detail a brightly coloured reel of people and places, images that dart vividly around in our mind’s eye. A humbling insight’ Geographical

‘Beautifully told with both insight and compassion. An inspiration’ Woman & Home

Paperback: 250 pages

Publisher: Eye (August 2010)

ISBN: 9781903070765