Science vs. Scent: What's Really Behind It?
Does this soapy solution hold any scientific merit? Doctors are quick to note that no clinical evidence supports soap as a cure for a neurological condition. Yet researchers have proposed intriguing theories. The most popular involves magnesium or ion release from the soap's fragrance. Many traditional soaps contain magnesium, a known muscle relaxant. The idea is that as the soap warms against your body, it emits tiny amounts of the mineral or essential oils like linalool (found in lavender), which are absorbed through the skin or inhaled to soothe the nervous system.