Holistic Homestead NH

10/17/2025

STUDY SHOWS THIS ESSENTIAL OIL CAN INCREASE BRAIN VOLUME IN JUST ONE MONTH

Wearing rose-scented essential oil daily may do more than lift your mood - it could actually increase your brain volume.

A groundbreaking study from Kyoto University in Japan has found that continuous inhalation of rose essential oil for just one month led to measurable growth in grey matter volume (GMV) across the whole brain, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) - a region linked to memory and emotional processing.

Using MRI scans to assess changes, researchers observed significant structural brain gains in women who wore the scent daily, while those who wore unscented water showed no such effect.

Notably, while the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex - regions traditionally associated with our sense of smell - didn’t show structural change, the PCC did, suggesting a deeper cognitive or emotional link to scent exposure.

These findings open new doors for non-invasive, scent-based health strategies, particularly in dementia prevention. Previous research has associated PCC atrophy with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers suggest that this simple, pleasant intervention could potentially help maintain brain structure as we age - a compelling reason to rethink how we use scent in everyday life.

(The findings are published in the journal Brain Research Bulletin.)

10/16/2025

Join us at Hood Middle School in Derry on October 27 at 6 PM for an educational fermenting class. Learn about the health benefits of fermented foods and create your own take-home ferment. Register by calling Barrie-jane at 603-432-1210.

10/16/2025

10/15/2025

Ready for Fall 🍁

10/12/2025

https://youtu.be/_olZ2ZhP3Lo?si=OO8Yf_zUV8e2v2FE

Are you running on caffeine instead of real energy? ☕⚡Discover how to recharge your body from the inside out by supporting your mitochondria — your cell’s na...

10/10/2025

Fact Friday:

10/09/2025

Definitely worth paying attention to…

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia and the number of people living with it is expected to triple by 2050. The progressive memory loss and behavioral changes over years is a painful process for those with AD and their families and caregivers.

A randomized controlled clinical trial investigated the effects (sleep quality, neuropsychiatric behavioral disorders, quality of life, and biochemical measures) of aromatherapy for people with AD. Six drops of a blend of lavender, sweet orange, and bergamot essential oils (2 drops of each) were added to 200 mL of water in a diffuser, which was operated every night at 9:00pm for 1 hour over a 12-week period. The control group inhaled from a diffuser with water only. Inhaling the essential oil blend improved sleep quality, alleviated psychobehavioral symptoms, and improved overall quality of life. Biochemical evaluation also showed a decrease in oxidative stress (by increasing superoxide dismutase levels) and inflammation (decreased TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels). The biochemical results are noteworthy because oxidative stress and inflammation are linked to further deterioration of AD.
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1392290/v1

10/08/2025

Love this blend

10/08/2025

Wellness Wednesday: How are you committing to your self-care and development today?

10/07/2025

Our "oh my goodness what do I do with all this Scobie class" was a great deal of fun last night as we made a salad dressing, a facial, scrub date, balls, and Scoby cookie dough. Great job everyone 😋

10/07/2025

Ylang ylang is often thought of for its ability to lower blood pressure, improve the appearance of the skin, and even as an aphrodisiac, but a recent preclinical study suggests we should consider it for arthritis. Oral administration of ylang ylang reduced infiltration of leukocytes into the joint cavities, joint swelling, inflammation, and pain in preclinical models of arthritis. The higher dose diminished cartilage destruction and persistent inflammation. This research suggests that ingestion of ylang ylang may reduce arthritis, pain, and inflammation of the joints.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39194751/