The scent of hometown meadows, the unforgettable flavors of childhood—all are preserved in memory in the form of smell. But the charm of smell is not just about memory; newer research shows that scents can comprehensively affect physical and mental health. Therefore, the latest issue of "Health" magazine points out that making good use of scents might make a big difference in your life.
"Generally, the scents of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs in daily life all have an impact on health," says Yang Li, a professor from Xiyuan Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Among them, the research on floral and fruity scents is the most thorough, especially the aromatherapy popular in the West, which can regulate mood or treat various psychological and physiological illnesses.
Suppress your appetite by smelling bananas and apples. Alan Hirsch, an American neurologist from the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, conducted a study on obese individuals, having them smell bananas and apples when they felt cravings. The results showed that participants who smelled these scents lost more weight, as these scents have an appetite-suppressing effect. Smelling them before dinner can help you eat less. If dinner is too heavy, it加重 the digestive burden, leading to a reduced secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin. Melatonin lowers body temperature and physical activity and promotes sleep. Additionally, another study from Wheeling University in the U.S. showed that smelling mint every two hours can reduce daily calorie intake by 350 kcal, equivalent to 100 grams of rice.
A bit of lemon for a more refreshing boost. A study from Ohio State University in the U.S. showed that the scent of lemon is more refreshing because it increases the concentration of "adrenaline" and maintains it at a peak. At 3 PM, when work-related fatigue is most likely to set in, a glass of lemon water can have a refreshing effect.
Lavender to help you drift into sweet dreams. A study from the University of Southampton in the U.K. showed that sleeping in a room with lavender essential oil aromatherapy can improve sleep quality by 20%. A practical method is to put a single drop of lavender essential oil on a corner of your pillow; one drop is enough, as more can disrupt sleep.
Relieve headaches and anxiety with mint. A study from Wheeling University in the U.S. pointed out that mint has the effect of soothing headaches. Experts suggest that regularly smelling mint's scent during work can reduce anxiety, fatigue, and feelings of frustration, while also enhancing judgment. The specific method is to put a drop of peppermint essential oil on a tissue and smell it when you're feeling down.