Pepe Le Pew, the amorous French skunk who cavorted through Looney Tunes cartoons from 1945 to 1962, was not particularly scent-sative. Little did he know - and neither did scientists then - that some scent-sations (although not Le Pew's) have healing powers.
Aromatherapy advocates have long claimed that essential oils relieve stress and ease aches, depression and digestive problems, but there's been little hard evidence that the effects come from more than a pleasing placebo (placebos do work 30 percent of the time). Recently, however, researchers have been sniffing around the science of smell and have made some pretty sweet discoveries.
Turns out the aroma of sandalwood activates smell receptors in the skin. Once stimulated, smell receptors trigger signals that cause proliferation and migration of skin cells that speed up wound healing. So, perhaps smelling sandalwood incense can help repair a scrape or cut. That's a pleasing thought.
Plus, scent-sational scents (and tastes) from food stimulate saliva - and spit contains immunoglobulin A, the body's natural antibiotic that keeps harmful bacteria at bay. So bye-bye bland, and hello super-smelly spices and herbs like turmeric, allspice, clove, rosemary, thyme and basil.
Harnessing scents' health-boosting powers makes good sense. But lab experiments show that a high-fat diet and obesity can KO 50 percent of the brain's ability to register smells! One more reason why it's es-scential to maintain a healthy weight. For help cooking with healthy spices and shedding extra pounds, check out Dr. Mike's Do-Over with Jolyn on Truth Tube (www.doctoroz.com); and enjoy the sweet smell of success!
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.