Rosemary aroma 'can improve memory performance among schoolchildren'
Teachers could improve the memory performance of their students with the simple application of a rosemary scent, according to new research.
A Northumbria University study has offered evidence that exposure to the aroma of rosemary essential oil can significantly enhance working memory in children, a finding that builds on the university's previous discovery of the benefits this approach can offer for adults.
In order to test whether a similar effect could be delivered for school-age children in classroom settings, researchers assigned a group of 40 children aged ten to 11 to take part in a class-based test encompassing a range of mental tasks, with some located in a room that had rosemary oil diffused inside it for ten minutes, while the remainder were based in a room with no scent.
Children in the aroma room were shown to achieve significantly higher scores in the memory games than those in the non-scented room, with the greatest difference in scores observed for a test to recall a series of words.
This research, presented at the British Psychological Society annual conference in Brighton, was not able to quantify exactly why rosemary has this effect, but the scientists hypothesise that it could be that aromas affect electrical activity in the brain in a way that benefits the working memory.
An alternative explanation is that pharmacologically active compounds can be absorbed more readily when the person has been exposed to rosemary.
Dr Mark Moss of Northumbria University said: "We do know that poor working memory is related to poor academic performance, and these findings offer a possible cost-effective and simple intervention to improve academic performance in children. The time is ripe for large-scale trials of aroma application in education settings."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£90 - 130 per day
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
SEMH
Location
Northampton
Description
SEMH & SEN Teaching Assistant – Secondary Alternative Provision Northampton £90 - £130 per day (Dependent on Experience) Full-Time | Long-Term Opportunity Driver’s Licence & Own Vehicle Required Start
Reference
SEN TA-Northampton
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£38k - 42k per year
Location free text
Wolverhampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Secondary SEN Support
Location
Wolverhampton
Description
Head of School – Wolverhampton Lead. Inspire. Change Lives. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head of School to lead a specialist SEN & Alternative Provision setting
Reference
Wolverhampton-HOS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£40k - 50k per year
Location free text
Wolverhampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Secondary SEN Support
Location
Wolverhampton
Description
Head of School – High Wycombe Lead. Inspire. Change Lives. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head of School to lead a specialist SEN & Alternative Provision setting
Reference
High Wycombe-HOS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Pay to Scale
Location free text
Tarporley
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Cheshire
Description
Primary Teacher / SEN Teaching Assistant / Support Staff Supply & Long-Term OpportunitiesKeywords: Primary Teacher, SEN Teaching Assistant, Support Staff, Learning Support Assistant, SEN, SEMH, Primar
Reference
CW6 9NR - CCCPS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
English Tutor – NG18 Nottingham Nottingham (NG18) & surrounding areas Monday–Friday | School Hours Flexible | Part-Time | Term-Time Competitive Hourly RatesDo you have a passion for English and suppo
Reference
22/5Eng-ng18
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£30k - 40k per year
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£200 - £299 per day
£300 - £399 per day
Sector
Secondary SEN Support
Location
Northampton
Description
Secondary SEN Teacher | Permanent Role Location: Northampton, NN1 2BG Contract: Permanent | Full-Time Hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm Salary: Competitive, DOE Requirement: Full UK Driving Licence & Own Vehicl
Reference
SEN T-Northampton
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Pay to Scale
Location free text
Sandbach
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Cheshire
Description
Primary Teacher / SEN Teaching Assistant / Support Staff Supply & Long-Term OpportunitiesKeywords: Primary Teacher, SEN Teaching Assistant, Support Staff, Learning Support Assistant, SEN, SEMH, Primar
Reference
CW11 1RN -BRECEPS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£30k - 40k per year
Location free text
Thrapston
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£200 - £299 per day
£300 - £399 per day
Sector
Secondary SEN Support
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Secondary SEN Teacher | Permanent Role Location: Thrapston, NN14 4LZ Contract: Permanent | Full-Time Hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm Salary: Competitive, DOE Requirement: Full UK Driving Licence & Own Vehicle
Reference
SEN T-Thrapston
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Northumberland
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northumberland
Description
Functional Tutor – NE26 Northumberland Location: Northumberland (NE26) and surrounding areas Hours: School hours, Monday–Friday Flexible / Part-Time / Term-Time Competitive hourly pay ratesWe are cur
Reference
22/5Funct-NE26
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
Pay to Scale
Location free text
Broadbottom
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Primary Teacher / SEN Teaching Assistant / Support Staff Supply & Long-Term OpportunitiesKeywords: Primary Teacher, SEN Teaching Assistant, Support Staff, Learning Support Assistant, SEN, SEMH, Primar
Reference
SK14 6BB - BCEPS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Related posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job