How luxurious scents boost memory and cognition in older adults

(NaturalHealth365)  Anyone who has ever experienced a mood lift from the sweet fragrance of roses, a sense of alertness from the bracing smell of rosemary, or a sensation of calm from the soothing scent of lavender can attest to the potential of odors to influence mood, memory and state of mind.

Now, science is exploring the rationale behind this phenomenon – and taking a closer look at the intriguing connection between the nose and the brain.  In a controlled study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, scientists assessed the effects of essential oils on memory and cognition – and the results were compelling.  As it turns out, enjoying healthy (non-toxic) scents can make good sense!

Essential oils produce improvements in cognitive and neural function

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, set out to analyze the effects of a variety of essential oils on the cognitive skills of older adults.  For six months, participants underwent two hours of nightly exposure to a nebulizing diffuser dispensing the fragrance of seven different essential oils (rose, lavender, lemon, orange, peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary).

This simple protocol – also known as olfactory enrichment or olfactory stimulation – yielded dramatic results.  The researchers reported that participants’ scores on the Rey Auditory Verbal Test (a standard measurement of verbal learning and memory) soared by an amazing 226 percent.

The researchers noted that the olfactory stimulation improved functioning in the left uncinate fasciculus, an important brain pathway integral to learning and memory.  In addition, the intervention appeared to alter brain anatomy, resulting in a beneficial thickening in the entorhinal cortex.  The team praised olfactory enrichment as a “low-cost public health program to reduce neurological risk in older adults” and an “effective and low-effort pathway to improved brain health.”

While the improvements in cognitive function and recall were impressive, the study was conducted on healthy elderly adults with normal cognitive function.  What do studies reveal about essential oils’ effects on individuals with cognitive decline and dementia?

Earlier study shows that essential oils eased depression and improved cognitive function in patients with dementia

A clinical study published in the journal Geriatrics and Gerontology International and involving adults with moderate dementia showed that 15 days of aromatherapy caused “highly significant” improvements in memory, attention, verbal fluidity, and language skills.

As if this weren’t encouraging enough, the intervention also appeared to lessen symptoms of depression.  However, the improvements weren’t all-encompassing.  The team noted that global cognition and frontal executive function remained unchanged.  Even so, they termed the result “remarkable.”

Research has exciting implications for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

The olfactory system is the only sensory system with direct links to the limbic system, which is essential for memory and emotion.  Scientists have noticed that dementia resulting from Alzheimer’s disease appears to be linked to a loss of the sense of smell, with this loss sometimes occurring even before the onset of the disease.  In fact, by tracking the loss of olfactory ability, scientists can predict which patients with mild cognitive decline are more likely to progress to Alzheimer’s disease.

The good news is that the unique olfactory/limbic connection may allow the olfactory system to prevent or reverse deterioration through direct neural activation.  Preliminary studies – which show that aromatherapy with multiple fragrances improves memory and neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) in the elderly brain – seem to support this.  Rich in antioxidant flavonoids, anthocyanins, and glycosides, essential oils dispensed through aromatherapy just might prove to be “natural” at enhancing brain function.

Access the benefits of essential oils with aromatherapy

When buying essential oils, choose a reputable vendor and look for a high-quality product with no additives, chemicals, or synthetics.  The plant’s botanical name should appear on the label, and the oil should be derived through distillation or cold pressing.

While essential oils can be inhaled via a diffuser, they are never to be ingested orally.  (If you don’t have a diffuser, you can put a few drops on a tissue and inhale).  Before using essential oils, consult with an experienced holistic physician or health coach.

Some essential oils are believed to be more effective than others when it comes to enhancing cognitive function, memory, and mood.

Since the days of ancient Greece, natural healers have recommended rosemary to enhance memory and concentration.  Lavender oil has been shown in clinical studies to promote restful sleep, which is vital for efficient cognitive function.  In a review of clinical evidence published in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, the essential oil of rose (Rosa damascene and/or Rosa centifolia) had therapeutic effects that included relaxant, mood-lifting, and anti-anxiety properties.

Drug-free, non-invasive, effective, pleasant, and relaxing, aromatherapy is certainly a powerful natural ally for protecting brain health.

Editor’s note: Discover the many natural ways to avoid the threat of Alzheimer’s disease and many other forms of dementia, own the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Summit created by NaturalHealth365 Programs.

Sources for this article include:

Frontiersin.org
MedicalNewsToday.com
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
Healthline.com

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