help for the weary

i have encountered a young mother on facebook whose small daughter is hospitalized with an undiagnosed illness. i'd like to send a 'care package' to possibly alleviate some of the mental and physical stress and fatigue she must be feeling. Does anyone have suggestions? also, those of you who pray, or communicate with a higher power in whatever way best suits you, please remember this family. thank you!

Aromatherapy for weight loss?

Seen in a recent New York Times article:

"About a year and a half ago, Bryan Raudenbush, an associate professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, W. Va., asked 40 people to sniff peppermint every two hours for five days. For another five days he gave them a placebo. During the week they sniffed peppermint, they consumed 1,800 fewer calories."

I've read many studies that various "food based" essential oils can help with appetite reduction and calorie control but this is the first study that I've seen backing it up.

I'm thinking this would be a wonderful use for one of our Deluxe Personal Inhalers. Add the above mentioned peppermint oil, or Spearmint? or Vanilla? I've seen all recommended. I've also seen Pink Grapefruit frequently recommended as a diet aid, but personally I think that it works by increasing your energy level, hence burning more calories.

Anyone have any experience to share on that?