It’s not surprising that in the face of widespread coronavirus panic, there’s quite a bit of misinformation being spread. Nose around in dedicated coronavirus Facebook groups or explore the #coronavirus tag and you’ll spot influencers and brands claiming that they have the secret remedy to prevent and cure the illness. And of course, apple cider […]
No, 'anti-viral essential oils' won't stop you getting ill
Last week, beauty guru Michelle Phan made a claim on Instagram that essential oils could kill off viruses. The YouTuber, who has more than two million followers, posted an Instagram story advising people to burn ‘antiviral’ tea tree, lavender, clove bud, lemon, ravensara, and eucalyptus globulus oils. Michelle used an essential oil diffuser to burn […]
Carbon monoxide poisons thousands every year, and there are no good treatments
Carbon monoxide is an undetectable yet lethal gas, often produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, such as coal, gas and wood. It kills about 60 people a year in the UK, according to the NHS. Although statistics on unintentional exposure to carbon monoxide are hard to come by, about 4,000 people are thought to […]
When Chloe fell backwards, she had no idea what she’d really lost
Five years ago, Chloe Donovan was at work when she fainted, falling backwards onto concrete. Later that day in the hospital, after receiving stitches to the back on her head, she was offered a toasted cheese sandwich. She took one bite and put it back down, uninterested. She did not yet know her olfactory nerve […]