# CodeIgniter User Guide Version 1.7.3

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# Email Helper

The Email Helper provides some assistive functions for working with Email. For a more robust email solution, see CodeIgniter's Email Class.

## Loading this Helper

This helper is loaded using the following code:

`$this->load->helper('email');`

The following functions are available:

## valid_email('email')

Checks if an email is a correctly formatted email. Note that is doesn't actually prove the email will recieve mail, simply that it is a validly formed address.

It returns TRUE/FALSE

`$this->load->helper('email');
if (valid_email('email@somesite.com'))
{
echo 'email is valid';
}
else
{
echo 'email is not valid';
}`

## send_email('recipient', 'subject', 'message')

Sends an email using PHP's native mail() function. For a more robust email solution, see CodeIgniter's Email Class.