I N STA N T P I C K- M E - U P
AROMATHERAPY
If you’re feeling scatterbrained… SNIFF: ROSEMARY
THE GUIDE health
The scent of this beautiful herb can improve prospective memory—the kind that helps you remember upcoming events and tasks, according to 2012 research from Northumbria University, in the United Kingdom. In this study, subjects who inhaled rosemary essential oil had higher blood levels of 1,8-cineole, a compound in the rosemary aroma that interacts with brain chemistry and enhances memory. TRY THIS: Apply 5 drops of rosemary essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in a small glass bottle. (You’ll find this and other essential oils at natural-food stores.) Inhale up to four times an hour while you’re tackling a tricky project or working your way down your to-do list. Save your sniffing for your toughest tasks—too many whiffs of any odor in a single day may diminish the positive effects.
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If you’re feeling stressed… SNIFF: LAVENDER
The ultra-fragrant flower is high in esters, a family of molecules that produce a relaxing effect. When subjects in a 2008 University of Miami study took a bath infused with lavender oil, their heart rates slowed and their levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, were lower than those of a control group. TRY THIS: Mix 5 to 8 drops of lavender essential oil with a teaspoon of a carrier oil and add it to a bathtub full of warm water. Soak for a few minutes before bed and you may find that it’s easier to doze off. Or dab a drop of lavender oil on your neck or temples, before bed or any time that you’re tense.
If you’re feeling exhausted…
Written by
SNIFF: PEPPERMINT
Sally Wadyka
The aroma of this fresh (and tasty) mint improves alert-
Photograph by
REALSIMPLE.COM
Johnny Miller
P R O P S T Y L I N G BY S A R A H S M A R T. T H A N K Y O U T O : PA M E L A D A LT O N , P H . D. , A N O L FA C T O R Y S C I E N T I S T AT T H E M O N E L L C H E M I C A L S E N S E S C E N T E R ; A N D M I N D Y G R E E N , M . S . , R . A . , R . H .
One stroll through a summer garden and you’ll be reminded just how moodenhancing the scents of nature can be. Here are research-backed ways to enjoy the benefits of three aromatic summerblooming plants any time of the year.
ness, according to a 2008 study published in International Journal of Neuroscience. Some experts believe that the tingling sensation you get when inhaling it is a very low-level pain signal that serves as a wake-up call to the brain. TRY THIS: Massage your neck with a rejuvenating rub made from 10 drops of peppermint oil mixed into 1 ounce of a neutral carrier oil (such as canola or almond oil). Not a fan of peppermint? Eucalyptus oil has similar benefits.
