Essential oils that really work

ur self with fall’s farm picks with fall’s farm picks

Robert Milazzo (2); Adobe Stock (2); Getty (3); Shutterstock; Backup. T ext: Lauren Stachiw Diminish dark circles

with tomato

“Unique minerals in tomatoes boost circulation to move the pooled blood that makes pooled blood that makes dark circles more apparent,” says Jacqueline dark circles more apparent,” says Jacqueline Schaffer, M.D., a holistic skin care expert and author of Irresistible You: Smart Solutions for Clear, Radiant, Youthful Skin. Plus, its antioxidant lycopene is a brightening agent that lightens any other discoloration under the eyes.

■ TRY IT! Blend 1 tomato, then strain the juice. Soak 2 cotton pads in the juice and place on top of eyes for 10 minutes; remove and rinse skin.

Smooth fi ne lines

with blueberries

The sweet berries are rich in resveratrol, a compound that stimulates collagen production to f irm skin and f ill in lines. Plus, blueberries contain antioxidants, which protect skin from free radicals and prevent the collagen breakdown that causes wrinkles to form in the f irst place, says Dr. Schaffer. To boost the skin- smoothing benef its, mix with aloe (it promotes moisture retention to plump skin). moisture retention to plump skin).

■ TRY IT! Puree 1⁄4 cup of blueberries cup of blueberries and combine with 1⁄4 cup of aloe vera gel. Apply to areas aloe vera gel. Apply to areas with wrinkly skin; let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Reverse ha ir th in n ing

with pumpkin

Pumpkins are chock-full of vitamins and minerals that encourage hair growth and prevent fallout. Use with hydrating olive oil, which “swells” strands for thicker-looking hair fast.

■ TRY IT! Mix 1 Tbs. of pumpkin puree and 1⁄2 Tbs. of olive oil. Massage onto the scalp for 1 minute, then let sit 10 minutes before rinsing.

Fall nail colors that flatter YOU

Find the har vest-inspired hue that works best with your skin tone Fair skin? Olive skin? Dark skin?

Choose plum. The cool-toned purple complements porcelain skin without overpowering it. One to try: Zoya Nail Polish in Rie, $12, Zoya.com $12, Zoya.com Pick pomegranate. Rich red pigments cancel out green cancel out green undertones for undertones for a golden glow. a golden glow. One to try: essie in Forever Yummy, $ 9, Ulta.com Go for butternut squash. The color’s warm tones bring out warm tones bring out the warmth in darker the warmth in darker skin so it shines. One to try: KBShimmer in Oh My Gourd, $10, KBShimmer.com KBShimmer.com

T his week’s Radical Health tip The drug -free way to END BACK PAIN

No need to reach for painkillers the next time a backache flares. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that when people with back, neck or other joint pain took 1,200 mg. of fish oil daily for 75 days, 60% of them reported significant pain relief—enough to decrease or discontinue their use of pain medications. That’s because the fish oil’s omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) block pain-triggering inflammation. Note: Talk to your doctor before supplementing if you take warfarin or other blood thinners.

courtesy of Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D. To receive 3 free Wellness Guides, order her new book, Radical Longevity, at RadicalLongevityBook.com

Quick cures for mental tiredness

Crisp air, vivid colors, cool breezes—fall can be so invigorating! But if your brainpower isn’t as brisk as the season, you’re not alone: Up to 82% of women over 50 have bouts of fogginess on a regular basis, and hectic schedules can make brain drain more likely. To clear the cobwebs and restore mental clarity, just…

Dial up your handwashing

Sure, you wash your hands, but do you include your wrists? Doing so—and using cold water—boosts your brainpower! A National Institutes of Health study found stimulating pulse points in the wrists with cold water for 60 seconds releases hormones that enhance the brain’s ability to retain information and complete mental tasks by 31% , an effect that lasts up to 30 minutes.

Mint’s crisp scent has proven brain-perking powers: British research reveals that inhaling aromatic compounds in peppermint boosts the production of stimulating beta brain waves, increasing mental energy by 50% in 2 minutes. To get the benef it, saturate a cotton ball with peppermint essential oil and seal it in a zip-top bag so you can sniff on the go. Also smart: popping that cotton ball into one of your car’s air vents so it keeps you alert while driving. Or a radish or even gum! Just 2 minutes of chewing enhances mental performance by 41% , Italian scientists say. And the benef its last for at least a half hour. Turns out chewing boosts the delivery of energizing oxygen to the brain while stimulating regions that govern memory and mental processing.

Staying hydrated drops off our radar in cooler weather, but mild dehydration causes brain fog. The fix: Sip a cup of water mixed with a scoop of d-ribose. In a study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, folks who did so three times daily increased their mental clarity by 30% and their allday energy by 45% in three weeks. D-ribose is a simple sugar that enhances cells’ ability to generate ATP, the “energy currency” for body and brain. Try: Life Extension D-Ribose Powder (LifeExtension.com/ww). —Melissa Gotthardt

Get a whiff of this Munch on an apple

Sweeten water

Radish Salad with Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette

Crunchy radishes stimulate energizing brain waves

4 radishes 1⁄2 cup cherr y tomatoes 3 Tbs. olive oil 1 Tbs. red wine vinegar 1 tsp. honey 1⁄2 tsp. grated lemon zest 4 cups mixed greens 1 Tbs. toasted pepitas 1 Thinly slice radishes; halve cherry tomatoes. Reserve.

2 In large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, honey and lemon zest; add greens, radishes and tomatoes. Toss until evenly coated. Divide salad among serving bowls; season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with pepitas. Serves 4