Instant Genius

Redlands Daily Facts Health Section
Staff Writer

Q: What new and crazy ideas do you have?

Mimi: Read about a Study on Study.

Several years ago in England an interesting study was done on college students. There were two groups of students, equally matched. The control group didn’t do anything special. The group in the study applied perfume before each study session. Then each student applied the same perfume just before taking a test. These students did remarkably better on the tests than the control group did.

So what's up with Grandma's perfume? Well, just think about Grandma's house. Have you ever had the experience of smelling something that reminded you of something or someplace or an experience? My Grandma used to cook Cream of Wheat for me for breakfast. I never had it any other time. So every time that I smell Cream of Wheat cooking, I think about my Grandma. Maybe the scent of apple pie reminds you of your Grandma. The scent of dark roasted coffee beans reminds me of the bazaar in Damascus, Syria. "I love the smell of diesel in the morning" because it reminds me of getting on the tour bus in Cairo, Egypt.

The study showed how potent the sense of smell is in remembering. Odors evoke memories. So when the students associated the fragrance of the perfume with the studied information, the scent of the perfume brought that information forward in the memory.

That is ½ of the Instant Genius plan.

Peppermint essential oil increases blood flow and aids in alertness. So when you begin to study, rub a little Peppermint essential oil on your temples. Be careful not to get it in your eyes. The Peppermint will sharpen attention. It will perk you up and make you wide-awake. It will increase blood flow to your brain. AND it will help you associate the information that you are studying with the fragrance.

THEN just before you go in to take a test, rub Peppermint essential oil on your temples. It will sharpen attention; perk you up, make you wide-awake, and increase blood flow to your brain. But most importantly, it will help bring the studied information to the forefront of your memory as the scent helps you associate the scent and the studied in material.

Instant Genius.

It has been said, "If you could only bottle that, you would be a millionaire."

We HAVE bottled Genius. It's called Peppermint Essential Oil.

Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands. Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations, (909) 793-9080.