Aromatherapy’s Anti-Aging Elixir: How 3 Essential Oils Can Transform Your Skin
While there is no dearth of products for anti-ageing but people are turning towards essential oils for this particular concern as they are natural and more than just skin care they have a holistic effect. As people age, the skin begins to break down and lose elasticity. This natural process causes wrinkles and fine lines to appear on the face around the forehead, mouth, and eyes.
Although essential oils will not eliminate wrinkles completely, they may be able to reduce their appearance. They are also a natural alternative to chemical creams and lotions. They may also:
Now that we spoke so highly of essential oils for anti-ageing let us look at the oils, we can turn to for this –
Sandalwood essential oil is one of the most fragrant of all oils that have been used widely in the beauty industry. It possesses a unique earthy aroma and holds a significant role in healing skin woes. The strong antioxidant nature of this oil is effective in scavenging free radicals from the skin and reduces oxidative damage. Furthermore, it flushes out the toxins from the skin and uplifts overall skin health and glow.
Lemon is well-known for its vitamin C content and potential health benefits for the immune system. However, lemon oils are also used in a variety of commercial skin care products to help reduce the signs of aging, such as wrinkles. All citrus essential oils, including lemon and grapefruit, make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. It is essential to avoid sun exposure for several hours after using citrus essential oils, so it is wise to apply them before bed.
The potent antimicrobial and antioxidant traits of rosemary essential oil help to cure skin problems like dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea. It is beneficial in maintaining the overall health and beauty of the skin. Rosemary essential oil is known to avert the alteration of the natural lipids of the skin surface and slow down signs of ageing.
Frankincense oil is well known for their potential to promote cell regeneration, fade away fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity.
Credit: AI
The Indian Meteorological Department has put the coastal states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on high alert as Cyclone Arnab is due to make a landfall on Wednesday forenoon.
The department said that a “very severe” cyclonic storm, named Ornab (Arnab), is forming over the Bay of Bengal, nearly 260 km southeast of the port city of Visakhapatnam, the most populous city in Andhra Pradesh.
Nearly 12 million people live on the cyclone’s projected route, which runs inland and north across India, according to Andhra Pradesh’s disaster management authority.
Out of around 400,000, nearly 50,000 people in vulnerable areas have been evacuated to state-run shelters since Monday, according to Reuters. According to The Hindu, around 48,000 people are being mobilised to safer areas in Odisha.
Cyclonic storms do not just end when the winds blow away or floodwater recedes. Floodwater may contain human and animal waste, chemicals and decaying organic matter. This could contaminate drinking water.
Contaminated drinking water, damaged sewage systems and stagnant pools can create conditions for waterborne infections and mosquito-borne diseases in the days and weeks that follow.
Exposure may increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections, while contact with contaminated water can also transmit infections like leptospirosis. Additionally, water collected in puddles and blocked drains can turn into breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Dr Divya K S, infectious disease specialist at Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, told HealthandMe that the health risks that can emerge after Cyclone Arnab, the warning signs to watch for and the precautions people should take.
One of the biggest post cyclone threats is contamination of drinking water sources. Floodwaters can cross into potable water networks and mix with sewage, allowing disease germs to enter water used for drinking, cooking and washing.
Dr Divya warns of the risk posed by acute enteric pathogens, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. “Widespread contamination of municipal water and sewage water can cause an increase in pathogens causing gastroenteritis like Cholera, enteric fever etc.,” she says.
She added, “Floodwater is an active biohazard matrix containing human/animal waste, chemicals, and decaying organic matter.”
According to the expert, exposure to these pathogens could lead to different infections: Acute Diarrheal Pathogens: Vibrio cholerae, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Salmonella enterica, Shigella spp., Campylobacter, and enteric viruses (Rotavirus, Norovirus) causing acute watery diarrhea and inflammatory dysentery. Leptospirosis: Leptospira shed in rodent urine can penetrate abrasions or mucous membranes.
Contaminated water and food can transmit infections like cholera, enteric fever and other infections like dysentery. Enteric viruses, including norovirus and rotavirus, can also cause diarrhoea.
Symptoms may include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. Severe diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, which is particularly dangerous for young children, older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
People should seek medical attention if they develop bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, high fever, confusion, or other signs of severe dehydration.
As floodwaters recede, water may collect in puddles, blocked drains and other neglected spaces. These sites can cause mosquito breeding, increasing the risk of diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria.
Dr Divya says, “Vector populations surge sharply within 1 to 2 weeks post-cyclone. As floodwaters recede, micro-environments like puddles, discarded containers form ideal sites for mosquito breeding.”
After a cyclone, it is therefore important to remove breeding sites by clearing out stagnant water. Residents should empty discard containers that collect water, clear blocked drains, and avoid water accumulation around their homes.
Also read: Climate Change And Gut Health: How Heat, Drought And Unsafe Water Raise Risks, Global Experts Warn
Some people face a higher risk of severe complications because of their age, health conditions or difficulty accessing medical care. Dr Divya identifies the following groups as particularly vulnerable:
During evacuation, people must carry emergency medicines. Insulin and other temperature-controlled medicines need appropriate storage, while people receiving dialysis, chemotherapy or care related to transplant may need urgent arrangements if services are disrupted.
Pregnant women should continue to access antenatal care and seek urgent help for warning signs like bleeding, severe abdominal pain or reduced fetal movement later in pregnancy.
Safe drinking water, hand hygiene and food safety are essential after a cyclone, especially when sanitation infrastructure has been damaged.
Dr Divya recommends boiling water to make it safer to drink. “Boiling water can ensure disinfection of the water borne infections,” she says.
The doctor also emphasises hand hygiene and safe food practices. “Rigorous hand hygiene using soap and water prior to food consumption and post-defecation,” she recommends.
Food should be thoroughly cooked and served hot. Avoid raw produce that cannot be washed, food exposed to flies and meals whose handling or storage conditions are unsafe.
Credit: Jessie J/ Instagram
British pop star Jessie J has shared an update on her recovery after undergoing a second breast reconstruction surgery.
The 38-year-old singer-songwriter took to Instagram to share a series of photos, including one taken after her latest surgery. In the picture, she is seen wearing a hospital gown and giving a thumbs-up, with the caption, “to healing.”
The post marks Jessie’s first update since September, when she announced she would be taking a break from social media ahead of her surgery.
Jessie was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2025 and underwent a mastectomy. She announced in May 2026 that she was cancer-free.
Sharing the emotional news on Instagram, she admitted she "sobbed for hours and then exhaled for the first time in a year."
Also read: World Breast Cancer Day 2026: Life After Breast Cancer, The Fear No One Sees
Jessie announced her diagnosis in June 2025, shortly after performing at Capital’s Summertime Ball at London’s Wembley Stadium. She spoke candidly about her diagnosis and the surgery she would undergo.
In a video message, she shared that she had been “in and out of tests” before receiving a diagnosis of early breast cancer.
“Cancer sucks in any form,” she said, adding that she was holding on to the word “early.”
Using her characteristic dark humor, she described the surgery as “a very dramatic way to get a boob job” and told her followers, “I will come back with massive boobs and more music.”
However, she also spoke openly about the emotional toll of the diagnosis, saying, “I need to process it and talk about it” and “I need a hug.”
Breast reconstruction surgery aims to restore the shape and contour of the breast after a mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast. Depending on the cancer and the treatment plan, nearby skin and lymph nodes may also be removed.
Following a mastectomy, patients may choose breast reconstruction to restore breast shape and symmetry. The procedure can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later date, depending on the patient's circumstances and treatment plan.
Read More: Experts Explain Most Overlooked Breast Changes That Can Delay Diagnosis In Men
According to the American Cancer Society, breast reconstruction often involves more than one operation. The number and type of procedures depend on the reconstruction method, the patient's needs and the desired outcome.
There are two main types of breast reconstruction:
In some cases, surgeons combine the two approaches.
Reconstruction may be immediate, taking place during breast cancer surgery, or delayed until a later date. Both implant-based and tissue flap reconstruction can be performed using either approach.
After the initial reconstruction, some patients may undergo additional procedures to refine the breast's appearance or feel. These may include fat grafting, scar revision or procedures to recreate the nipple and areola, sometimes using medical tattooing.
Breast reconstruction can help restore breast shape and symmetry after a mastectomy. For some patients, it may also improve body image, confidence and emotional well-being. However, the benefits vary from person to person.
As with other surgical procedures, breast reconstruction carries potential risks and complications, including:
Credit: iStock
Low-dose naltrexone has received plenty of attention as a strong candidate for treating people with chronic fatigue after COVID-19. But a new randomised clinical trial has found no significant improvement in fatigue, pain or any other symptoms when compared to a placebo.
The study, posted on medRxiv, examined low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome. The findings challenge hopes that an existing repurposed drug could provide relief for people whose symptoms have not subsided months after infection.
The paper has not yet undergone peer review, which means its findings have not been independently evaluated in a formal manner.
160 adults aged 19 to 69 from British Columbia and Ontario, Canada participated in the trial. Participants had developed symptoms that resembled myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers randomly assigned participants either low-dose naltrexone or a placebo for 16 weeks. The naltrexone dose began at 1 milligram daily and increased to a maximum of 4.5 milligrams, depending on how participants tolerated the treatment.
The main outcome was fatigue severity, which was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale. At the end of the study, the average fatigue score was 4.2 in the LDN group and 4.4 in the placebo group.
The difference between the groups was not statistically significant, meaning the trial proved that the drug did not improve fatigue.
Researchers also found no significant differences between the groups in pain, overall ME/CFS symptoms, daily step counts or any other health aspects related to quality of life.
These results suggest that LDN did not provide any measurable benefit for the participants. The study also found that LDN was generally well tolerated over the 16-week period.
However, adverse events classified as grade 3 or higher were reported in five participants in the LDN group, or 6.2%, compared with three participants in the placebo group or 3.8%.
Also read: 'I Never Recovered From That Crash': US Physicist Recalls Her Years-Long Battle With Long COVID
Naltrexone is an established medicine used at standard doses to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. At much lower doses, it has been tested for conditions involving chronic pain, inflammation and fatigue.
LDN’s effects on immune signalling and inflammatory conditions have sparked interest in its potential use for long COVID, a condition that can involve fatigue, cognitive difficulties, pain, breathlessness and symptoms affecting several biological functions.
The findings apply specifically to adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome who met the study’s criteria for ME/CFS-like symptoms.
Long COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities.
Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives.
The results do not mean that long COVID symptoms are untreatable. Instead, they highlight how difficult it can be to identify effective treatments for a condition with varied symptoms.
There are currently no FDA-approved medicines specifically for long COVID, and care often focuses on managing individual symptoms.
People taking or considering naltrexone should discuss its benefits and risks with a healthcare professional rather than starting or changing treatment on their own.
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