Aromatherapy’s Anti-Aging Elixir: 4 Essential Oils That Can Transform Your Skin

Updated Nov 17, 2024 | 02:37 PM IST

SummaryEssential oils are powerful natural solutions for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, promoting skin elasticity, protect against damage, and enhance a youthful glow.
Aromatherapy’s Anti-Aging Elixir: How 3 Essential Oils Can Transform Your Skin

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:

  • boost collagen
  • even out skin tone
  • help your complexion
  • reduce inflammation
  • promote skin cell turnover
  • protect your skin from environmental damage

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

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

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.

Rosemary

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

Frankincense oil is well known for their potential to promote cell regeneration, fade away fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity.

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'I Wish Every Patient Knew This Before Their Lung Cancer Diagnosis'- Lessons From An Oncologist

Updated Aug 1, 2026 | 07:00 PM IST

SummaryAn oncologist shares key insights every patient should know about lung cancer, emphasizing early detection, symptom awareness, risk factors, and informed decisions that can improve outcomes.
"I Wish Every Patient Knew This Before Their Lung Cancer Diagnosis"- Lessons From An Oncologist

Credit: AI

Patient should not be afraid to ask what type of lung cancer, Stage and spread of disease whether it has spread and what is stage of disease, This information helps direct treatment decisions and provides insight into the future prospective of disease status .

The patient should self designate a Trustee who will take care of her Medical Records , fixing up appointment and be responsible for medication administration. A diagnosis of lung cancer can be shocking and worrisome, but knowing what to expect can help patients make more informed choices.

The first lesson is that lung cancer can be very different from patient to patient. Treatment depends on the type, stage as well as genetic changes and health.

Ask About The Exact Diagnosis

Molecular Testing Can Change Treatment

For lung cancer patients some patients will require testing the tumour for specific Molecular markers which help in deciding type of immunotherapy . Before beginning treatment, patients should be asked for if they have had the appropriate tests done for fitness before therapy.

Treatment Is Not Always Just Chemotherapy

Modern lung cancer care may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted medicines and immunotherapy, often in various combinations. The best treatment will depend on the type of cancer and the health of the patient.

Also read: What Is Driving India's High Burden Of Childhood Cancers?

Symptoms and Side Effects Should Be Reported

Patients should not quietly accept worsening shortness of breath, pain, fever, severe weakness, poor appetite or side effects of treatment. Early communication can assist doctors in managing complications and maintaining quality of life.

Supportive Care Matters Too

Palliative or supportive care is not just for the end of the cancer course. It can be given along with cancer treatment to help manage symptoms, improve emotional wellbeing and increase everyday comfort.

Above all, I do not think that a diagnosis means there are no options. The treatment of lung cancer is changing rapidly and the results can vary greatly from patient to patient. Ask questions, clarify, and understand treatment plan and when appropriate, get a second opinion before making major decisions.

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Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent 400,000 Child and 140,000 Maternal Deaths Annually, Says WHO

Updated Aug 1, 2026 | 12:00 AM IST

Summary​The 2026 theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," focuses on tracking progress, evaluating impact, and scaling proven approaches that improve breastfeeding outcomes.
Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent 400,000 Child And 140,000 Maternal Deaths Annually, Says WHO

Credit: WHO

Breastfeeding is important not only for babies' health and nutrition but also for protecting mothers from serious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

It urged governments to strengthen access to services and interventions that support breastfeeding as part of World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1–7.

The 2026 theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," focuses on tracking progress, evaluating impact, and scaling proven approaches that improve breastfeeding outcomes.

Breastfeeding Could Save Hundreds of Thousands of Lives

"Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent almost 400,000 child deaths and around 140,000 maternal deaths each year," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a joint statement.

"Every US$1 invested in breastfeeding promotion generates an estimated US$59 in economic returns through lower health-care costs, improved cognitive development, higher educational attainment, and increased lifetime earnings," they added.

Health Benefits for Babies and Mothers

The experts noted that breastfeeding is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to protect a child's health. It provides infants and young children with essential nutrition, boosts immunity, helps protect against serious illnesses, and supports cognitive development.

For mothers, breastfeeding also offers significant health benefits by reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as breast and ovarian cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Global Breastfeeding Rates Have Improved

The WHO said breastfeeding rates have improved globally due to sustained investments in policies and programs supporting mothers and families.

Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months increased from around 37 per cent in 2012 to more than 47 per cent today. Over the past five years, the prevalence of breastfeeding up to two years of age has risen from 38 per cent to 50 per cent.

Progress Remains Uneven

Despite these gains, the WHO said many countries continue to lag behind global targets.

"Coverage of services supporting breastfeeding remains low, policies are inconsistently enforced, and service quality is often inadequate, especially in low-income, fragile, and humanitarian settings," the WHO said.

The agency noted that cost-effective interventions include skilled breastfeeding support within health systems, community-based counselling, maternity protection policies, and protection from the exploitative marketing of commercial milk formulas.

WHO, UNICEF Call for Stronger Support

WHO and UNICEF called on governments, health systems, workplaces, communities, civil society organizations, and families to strengthen the "Warm Chain of Support" for breastfeeding.

During World Breastfeeding Week, the agencies urged countries to:

  • Strengthen health systems to provide quality breastfeeding support for mothers and newborns.
  • Expand community-based counselling and peer support programs.
  • Fully implement and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
  • Invest in paid maternity leave and supportive workplace policies.
  • Integrate breastfeeding interventions into antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal health-care services.
  • Sustain breastfeeding support in humanitarian and fragile settings.

"Breastfeeding is vital. By investing in proven solutions, we can give every child the best possible start in life and ensure every mother gets the care and services she needs," the agencies said.

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What Is Driving India's High Burden Of Childhood Cancers?

Updated Jul 31, 2026 | 09:56 PM IST

SummaryIn most children, cancer develops because of genetic changes that occur during early development. These changes are usually not linked to lifestyle factors or inherited from parents.
What Is Driving India's High Burden Of Childhood Cancers?

Credit: iStock

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health–Southeast Asia has found that India accounts for 68% of all childhood cancer cases in the SAARC region.

While the country's large child population contributes to the high numbers, experts say underdiagnosis and incomplete cancer registration may mean the actual burden is even greater.

An international team of researchers, including from the US, India, and Canada, estimated that nearly 37,700 children aged up to 14 years were diagnosed with cancer across South Asia in 2022, with 17,700 deaths reported. India alone accounted for an estimated 25,939 cases and 12,028 deaths.

The researchers noted that because cancer registration remains incomplete, particularly in rural areas, the true number of childhood cancer cases in India could exceed 50,000 annually.

India's Large Child Population Drives Numbers

India is home to more than 380 million children, accounting for nearly 69% of the child population in the SAARC region. This naturally contributes to the country's higher share of childhood cancer cases and deaths.

However, experts emphasize that population size is only part of the explanation. Delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialized treatment, and gaps in cancer registration continue to affect both disease estimates and patient outcomes.

Leukemia Most Common Cancer

Dr. Narendra Agrawal, a leading Hematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician and Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Haemato-Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, told HealthandMe that childhood cancer remains a major public health concern in India.

"Current estimates suggest that around 70,000–80,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year, although the exact number remains uncertain due to expanding cancer registration systems". The most common childhood cancers in India include:

  • Leukemia
  • Lymphomas
  • Brain tumors
  • Bone tumors

What Causes Childhood Cancer?

Unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers do not have a clearly identifiable or preventable cause. Dr. Agrawal explained that, in most children, cancer develops because of genetic changes that occur during early development. These changes are usually not linked to lifestyle factors or inherited from parents.

Recognized Risk Factors

Although the causes of most childhood cancers remain unclear, some well-established risk factors include:

  • Ionizing radiation: High-dose exposure before birth or during childhood increases the risk of leukemia and certain other cancers.
  • Genetic syndromes: Conditions such as Down syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and neurofibromatosis increase susceptibility to specific childhood cancers.
  • Certain infections: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is associated with some lymphomas, HIV increases lymphoma risk, and chronic hepatitis B infection raises the risk of liver cancer.
  • Environmental and parental exposures: Tobacco smoke, certain chemicals, pesticides, and some occupational exposures have been investigated as possible risk factors, although evidence remains inconclusive.

Challenges Beyond Disease Burden

Dr. Agrawal said India's substantial childhood cancer burden is largely driven by its population size. However, improving outcomes requires addressing several systemic challenges.

Key issues include:

  • Delayed diagnosis
  • Limited access to specialized pediatric oncology services in some regions
  • Treatment abandonment
  • Incomplete cancer registration
According to the expert, overcoming these barriers is essential to ensuring earlier diagnosis, better treatment access, and more accurate estimates of childhood cancer across the country.

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