Essential oil do’s and don’ts

How to safely enjoy essential oils, the link between scent and memories, and more.

IN a nutshell Hi, everyone! I hope you had a lovely weekend. We're kicking off this week with a smelly newsletter. No, it doesn't actually stink –– we're just talking about all things related to our sense of smell. Here's what we've got in store for you today: • Are essential oils safe? • The connection between scent and memories • A relaxing herbal candle that I love burning before bed • Can you regain a lost sense of smell? If so, how? Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota July 3, 2023 • 5 min read

what's got us buzzing Do's and don'ts of using essential oils for your health Essential oils are extracted from plants and they're commonly used in aromatherapy, but they're hyped up to be helpful for a whole range of purposes. Common uses. These essential oils may help with the following: lavender for sleep and stress management, lemon for digestion, peppermint for relieving psoriasis, and tea tree for skin infections. You can also use them to repel bugs, clean your house, or freshen up the scent of a room with a diffuser. There are tons of potential uses, but do they actually live up to their health hype? More conclusive evidence is needed. Whether popular essential oils health claims are legit is a mixed picture. For example, this 2014 study suggests that putting chamomile and sesame oil on your temples can relieve headaches and migraine attacks. But a 2012 review of 10 studies suggests that aromatherapy is not effective for treating anxiety. How to use them safely. General best practices include: buying high quality products from reputable brands researching which oils and methods may interact with certain medications checking whether the oil needs to be diluted before use avoiding contact with your eyes washing your hands after touching them You'll want to be mindful about using them around kids and pets, too. As always, remember to speak with your doctor before adding essential oils to your home or wellness routine. Read more about essential oils: Aromatherapy benefits Different ways to use essential oils 13 things to know before using essential oils

great finds Editor faves with health perks       Sea Witch Botanicals Herbal Renewal Candle I need to be careful about the smells in my home. Certain scents and scent strengths can spark a headache or overstimulation, but Sea Witch Botanicals is one of the very few brands I can burn without issue! These candles are made with healthier ingredients like soy wax, a cotton wick, no synthetic fragrances, and non-GMO essential oils. This Herbal Renewal essential oil candle, in particular, smells like pure lavender and is the soothing scent I need to chill out as I wind down for the night. It's a bit pricey, but it lasts for months, so I think it's well worth the buy. Shop now Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

Monday Kick Start Here's how scent can bring back vivid memories Whenever I smell Dial's gold antibacterial soap, I think of my elementary school bathroom. Weird? Maybe. But there's a reason for this: Scent is heavily linked with memory recall. This phenomenon is known as "the Proust effect." The scent and memory connection. Research suggests this has to do with certain systems in our brain being close together. Turns out, the amygdala, which processes sensory information, lives right next door to the hippocampus, which stores episodic memories around space and time for future recall. A 2018 study found that these two hubs come together and integrate in a brain region called the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON). Future implications. Understanding the AON has the potential to help people improve their brain health. For example, "sniff tests" may be able to assist people with Alzheimer's disease recall memories via their sense of smell. Pretty cool, huh? If I live into my 80s, I wonder if I'll still think of my elementary school when I smell that gold soap … Keep reading about memories: Why smells bring back memories 14 natural ways to improve your memory What is memory care? And who is it for? We want to know: Do certain scents bring you back to specific times in your life? Share your memories with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!)

Health Hype Can you regain your sense of smell once it's lost? (Find the answer at the end of this email)

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Health Hype Answer Can you regain your sense of smell once it's lost? Yes! Lost your sense of smell from smoking, congestion, or another common reason? That's called anosmia, and don't worry, it's treatable. Sometimes, your ability to smell returns gradually without intervention. But there *are* things you can do if you want to speed up that process. You can try smell training, saline irrigation, or speaking with a doctor about over-the-counter and medical treatment options. Learn more about how to naturally regain your sense of smell.

Thanks for reading! Like Ginger mentioned last week, there's a special guest filling in for her on Wednesday. Keep your eyes peeled to see who it is. 👀.

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by candles, incense, and good smells.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001