A conversation on intuition, nature, and the ritual of fragrance with Aja Botanicals founder, Tilly Wood.
From the catwalks of Paris to the stillness of her English garden, Tilly Wood’s journey into wellness has been anything but linear. A former model turned founder of Aja Botanicals, Tilly brings a rare alchemy to the world of scent—fusing style, spirit, and a deep reverence for nature. We sat down with her to talk about wellbeing, ritual, and the quiet power of fragrance.
Can you tell us a little about your path to well-being—how it all began?
My journey into wellness started when I was quite young, during my early days modelling. I was fortunate to work closely with the American photographer Tierney Gearon, who introduced me to macrobiotic food. I was just sixteen at the time—wide-eyed, travelling, and soaking it all in. Back then, health food shops were rare—there might have been one in Paris, a handful around London—but whenever we travelled, we’d seek them out like little sanctuaries.
I was immediately drawn to that way of eating. I loved the flavours—the nutty brown rices, seaweeds, clean broths. It felt grounding, especially amidst the whirlwind of fashion and flights. But I was still a teenager, doing what teenagers do: partying, drinking, and not really understanding the importance of nutrition. I was eating like a child while trying to live and work in a very adult world.
Eventually, I met a kinesiologist, someone I still see to this day. She helped me understand the powerful connection between what we eat and how we feel. She guided me to give up sugar, yeast-heavy foods, and white wine—none of which were serving me. It was a revelation, really.
From there, wellness became a way of life. Modelling required me to stay fit, and I began to see exercise not just as a physical necessity, but as something that really supported my confidence and mental clarity. I still feel that way—it helps me sleep, it lifts my mood, and yes, it helps me feel good in my body. Movement and nourishment have always been cornerstones for me.
When I became a mother, I dove deeper into natural health. I studied homeopathy and used it to treat my children—gentle remedies like arnica for bruises, chamomile for teething, aconite at the first sign of illness. We visited cranial osteopaths, used flower essences, and ate clean, intuitive food. I started to question not just what went into our bodies, but what we put on our skin, what we used to clean our homes.
That opened a door to beautiful, conscious brands—my early loves were Dr. Hauschka and Weleda. Once you start down that path, wellness seeps into every part of your life. It becomes a lifestyle and a mindset.
How would you describe your personal philosophy around well-being?
I try to stay positive—to focus on what’s possible rather than what’s lacking. When my children were little, someone said to me: don’t tell them what not to do, tell them what to do. So instead of “Don’t run into the road,” I’d say “Stay on the pavement.” It’s a tiny shift in language, but it changes the energy. That approach has shaped how I live.
I believe things happen for a reason. I try to trust that. Have a clear vision of what you want—but don’t be too rigid about how you get there. Life is full of detours, and they often lead you to unexpected beauty.
But vision alone isn’t enough. You have to take action. It’s easy to get stuck watching other people’s lives unfold on screens, but the magic is in doing. For me, reconnecting with nature always helps. Sitting under a tree. Turning off the phone. Just being.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more spiritual. I’ve always had that wild, bohemian streak, but now I understand the importance of connection—within ourselves, and with the world around us. Meditation has become a sanctuary for me. It calms the mental noise and helps me tune into my intuition. I’ve been loving Mindvalley recently—there are some beautiful guided meditations that have helped me through stressful times.
Stress is inevitable. Life throws things at you. But I’ve learned to recognise when I’m tipping out of balance. Sometimes it’s just the tone of my own voice that tells me. That’s when I step back. Light a candle. Run a bath. Lie on the grass. Call a friend. Pet my dogs. These simple, mindful rituals—they bring me home to myself.
Someone once told me that when thoughts won’t stop spinning in your head, it’s often because your heart knows they aren’t true. The mind can loop and panic, but the heart only holds truth. I think that’s beautiful—and I try to live from that space: instinctive, intuitive, open.
What inspired you to create Aja Botanicals?
I’ve always loved natural products. But I come from a creative world—fashion, film, music—and I wanted to make something that merged all of those passions. Something that felt stylish, but soulful. Elegant, but real.
With Aja Botanicals, I wanted to create pieces that were not only natural, but beautifully designed. The glass vessels, the textures, the packaging—every detail was crafted with intention. And of course, the scents themselves are made from raw, exquisite botanicals. That means working with growers who tend their land, who understand the rhythms of the earth.
Using natural ingredients is healing for the planet. We need to grow things, to nurture the soil. Plants give us oxygen, scent, beauty. They are generous. When we honour that, and bring nature into our homes in a conscious way, we create joy. Real joy.
Scent, for me, is deeply spiritual. It grounds you in the moment, but it can also lift you, transport you. A single note can take you back to your childhood, to a person you loved, to a place you forgot you remembered. It’s like time travel.
And fragrance isn’t just about memory—it’s transformative. When you come home from a busy day and light a candle, you shift the energy in the space. You calm your nervous system. You open to something softer. Or if you need to focus, setting an intention with scent can anchor you into clarity.
I love the old magical belief that the flame of a candle amplifies your intention. I feel that. Lighting a candle is a ritual, a signal to the universe—and to yourself—that you're ready. You’re calling something in. You’re inviting beauty, peace, connection.
Tilly Wood is the founder of Aja Botanicals, we are a British brand rooted in nature, ritual, and conscious luxury.
