If you're looking for a gift that will help Mom relax, give her the gift
of lavender.

Studies suggest that the smell of lavender may increase feelings of
relaxation and reduce mental stress in some people. You can find the scent
in essential oils, sachets, and lotions, or ask your florist to include a
fresh spray of lavender flowers in a corsage or bouquet.

Studies regarding the mind-body effects of certain scents are ongoing. In
one study, participants who took a math test after three minutes of
lavender aromatherapy performed better and felt more relaxed compared to
people who took the test after rosemary aromatherapy. Certain scents will
probably inspire different reactions in different people, so if you are
interested in winding down with some soothing smells, experiment until you
find the one that works for you.

Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and
math computations.

EEG activity, alertness, and mood were assessed in 40 adults given 3
minutes of aromatherapy using two aromas, lavender (considered a relaxing
odor) or rosemary (considered a stimulating odor). Participants were also
given simple math computations before and after the therapy. The lavender
group showed increased beta power, suggesting increased drowsiness, they
had less depressed mood (POMS) and reported feeling more relaxed and
performed the math computations faster and more accurately following
aromatherapy. The rosemary group, on the other hand, showed decreased
frontal alpha and beta power, suggesting increased alertness. They also
had lower state anxiety scores, reported feeling more relaxed and alert
and they were only faster, not more accurate, at completing the math
computations after the aromatherapy session.

RMotomura N, Sakurai A, Yotsuya Y on reduction of mental stress with
lavender odorant.

The effect of the lavender odorant on a Japanese version of Cox and
Mackay's stress/arousal adjective checklist for three groups was studied.
One group of 14 was placed into a (2 x 2- x 3 m) sound protected room for
20 min without the presentation of an odor, an analogous group of 15
received the odor oil, and one group of 13 received a nonstressful
condition. Analysis suggested that lavender odorants were associated with
reduced mental stress and increased arousal rate.



Benefit: Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make
your real age up to 16 years younger.

Diego MA, Jones NA, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S,
 Kuhn C, McAdam V, Galamaga R, Galamaga M.

University of Miami School of Medicine, USA.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 10069621 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Department of Health Science, Osaka Kyoiku University, Kashiwara City,
Japan. [log in to unmask]

CHEERS!



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