Flower Power: From Lavender To Jasmine, How Different Spring Floral Scents Can Affect Your Health
As we plunge deeper into spring, it’s hard to miss the beautiful array of flowers that have begun to bloom. While these arrangements of flowers and colorful plants are pretty to look at, their scent could have even more health benefits. Here’s a list of some of the most popular flowers and plants you can find in bloom this spring, and the positive effects they can have on your health.
According to The Huffington Post, floral scents have been shown to stimulate your frontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with problem solving and planning. In fact, The Huffington Post reported that some research shows that people who are exposed to floral scents finish tasks 17% faster than others. However, different scents also have different brain-boosting abilities.
Lavender
The scent of lavender is particularly noted for its relaxing qualities, and it’s effect on individuals with sleep troubles, Organic Facts reported. For example one study from England found that volunteers who slept in a room where lavender oil was diffused throughout the night ranked their quality of sleep as 20 percent better than the control group who were given a placebo scent.
While it's not exactly clear how lavender is able to accomplish this, Prevention reported that the scent is able to increase slow-wave sleep, or deep sleep. This is also the part of sleep where your muscles relax and brain reorganizes, which may explain why a lavender-induced sleep leaves you feel so refreshed in the morning.
Jasmine
Jasmine is another beautiful flower that’s scent can have positive health benefits. For example, many studies suggest that the smell of jasmine is incredibly calming, with one report suggesting that it’s scent was “as calming as valium,” The Telegraph reported.
The study found that inhaling jasmine oil molecules transmits messages to the brain, particularly to a chemical called GABA on the nerve cells that is involved in controlling emotions. This scent will reduce heart rate and blood pressure, as well and lower stress levels and breathing rate. As a result, you will feel calmer and more relaxed.
Grass
Grass may not be what immediately comes to mind when you think of spring flowers, it is nonetheless an important hallmark of the beginning of summer. What’s more, the scent of grass, specifically fresh cut grass, could have positive health benefits as well.
According to The Telegraph, when grass is cut it releases a chemical that induces happiness and relaxation, and may even prevent mental decline in old age. Similar to jasmine, the grass chemicals work directly on a part of the brain associated with emotions, but they also affect areas associated with memory, the hippocampus.
Vanilla
While you may not have this traditionally tropical plant grow in your garden, vanilla scented candles and sprays are abundant in warmer weathers. Once again, vanilla doesn’t just “smell good” but may also have the ability to boost your mood, The Huffington Post reported. Past research has shown that volunteers report a sensation of joy and relaxation after taking a whiff of vanilla.
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