The power of smell using essential oils can help determine and manage some physical and mental ailments such as depression and anxiety, aromatherapists claim.
'Aromadiagnosis' is an alternative therapy increasingly used by practitioners to identify ailments they say can then be improved through inhalation of natural essential oils, many of which are derived from plants and fruits.
The goal of the therapy is to help ween some patients in the UAE off long-term, traditional medication for certain conditions.
However, research is limited and anecdotal evidence is based on patient interactions from practitioners who support the practice.
Scientifically, it is hard to draw any conclusions to make clinical recommendations regarding aromatherapy
Dr Waleed Ahmed,
psychiatrist at the Priory Wellbeing Centre in Abu Dhabi
Few long-term studies have evaluated the effectiveness of aromatherapy in mental health.
However, the University of Hong Kong’s department of rehabilitation sciences found inhalation and massage aromatherapy showed potential to be used as an effective therapeutic option for the relief of depressive symptoms.
Evgenia Noskovo is the co-founder of Freya House, one of the few alternative therapy clinics practicing aromadiagnosis and aromatherapy in the UAE.
“It is an alternative to some medications, and there is supporting evidence that it works,” she said.
“A lot of these oils have antioxidant properties that can be effective in maintaining general good health.
“Smells can trigger a brain response and also be absorbed into the blood.”
Effects of oils on mood
Dysfunction in the brain can lead to a multitude of physical and mental behavioural issues that can manifest in depression, anxiety, memory loss and brain fog.
Essential oils evaporate at room temperature and circulate in the air, which is when they are detected by smell.
Once inhaled, they easily penetrate the blood brain barrier, in a similar way to oxygen, carbon dioxide, alcohol and some drugs, therapists say.
That can then influence how brain signals are received, in the form of hormones and neurotransmitters that are key to developing our mood and mental state.
According to a 2021 study published in Frontiers, aromatherapy has proven effective in relieving anxiety in cancer patients.
Meanwhile, research in the journal Neuroimmunomodulation found citrus oils, like lime, proved most effective in combating depression.
Aromatherapist Kateryna Azar uses essential oils with yoga sessions in Dubai, and practices aromadiagnosis to spot physical and mental ailments in her clients.
“We test each client’s response to multiple smells, around 63 in total, and that can help us create a blueprint of that person’s physical and mental state,” she said.
“Our sense of smell is very powerful, and can determine how we are feeling, or parts of our health that may need extra attention or care.”
Aromadiagnosis can help determine which blends of oils are most suitable to help with an individual’s particular physical or mental health condition, according to Ms Azar.
Natural oils
Aromatherapists say all citrus oils are natural mood enhancers, and can trigger mental clarity and feelings of peace and happiness.
Popular blends to improve mental state include wild orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot and tangerine.
Other blends that combine amyris, patchouli, frankincense, lime and oils from the ylang-ylang plant are thought to be effective in maintaining focus, particularly in those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“Each of us will respond slightly differently to each smell. If we have a specific response to certain oils, that can identify certain mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety,” said Ms Azar.
“Then we can act accordingly by offering other smells most associated with that particular oil.
“They can help release the brain to think more clearly, and give focus and clarity of thought, particularly those who have a sense of hopelessness.”
Reliance on medication
More than 350 million people are thought to experience some level of depressive symptoms worldwide.
While antidepressants can be effective in those with the most severe symptoms, medication is not always suitable for those with milder mental health conditions.
The prescribing of antidepressants — that control the brain’s mood indicating hormone serotonin — has risen steadily in the UK.
An estimated 7.8 million people were issued at least one prescription in 2019 to 2020, according to research in the British Medical Journal.
From 2005-2017, the number of children aged 12 to 17 prescribed antidepressants in the UK more than doubled.
Side effects of antidepressants are relatively common, including drowsiness, dry mouth, profuse sweating, or weight gain.
At least one in four of those taking antidepressants in the UK has reported sexual difficulties, and about one in 10 experiences restlessness, muscle spasms or twitching, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or dizziness, the BMJ said.
Despite the option of more natural therapies to ease depression and anxiety, medical experts have been reluctant to support aromatherapy as a viable alternative.
“There is currently no evidence to support a cure for depression or anxiety using aromatherapy,” said Dr Waleed Ahmed, a consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Wellbeing Centre, Abu Dhabi.
“There are a few inconclusive and not so robust studies showing some benefits of aromatherapy and massages using essential oils in helping some of the symptoms in very specific types of medically ill patients with depression or anxiety.
“Even in those studies the evidence is more in favour of helping with anxiety symptoms rather than depressive ones.
“Scientifically, it is hard to draw any conclusions to make clinical recommendations regarding aromatherapy.
“Moreover, we have to be wary of the possible side effects — not all essential oils are equal; some are adulterated.
“As it is not medicine, they do not undergo the same manufacturing scrutiny that is required for medicines.”
Art therapy — in pictures
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
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On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB); Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR); Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE); Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE); Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR); Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA); Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL); Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA); Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR); Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR); Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight: Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Company%20profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
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The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKelsey%20Mann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Amy%20Poehler%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%2C%20Ayo%20Edebiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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