Are you struggling to stay focused when the many to-do’s of life pull you in different directions? Many people tend to lose focus when multitasking. I know how it goes! I’m super guilty of multi-tasking myself.
That’s why I’ve started using the ancient wisdom of essential oils for focus, mental clarity and concentration.
In this article, I will introduce you to the 10 best essential oils for focus & concentration. I’ve carefully researched and selected the best ones! It’s all backed by ancient wisdom and modern research.
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
So, get ready to explore the scents that have the power to sharpen our minds, ignite our motivation, and bring clarity to our endeavors.
Let’s unlock your full mental potential!
10 Best Essential Oils to Help You Focus
In the midst of our fast-paced lives, finding focus can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Distractions lurk at every corner, ready to steal our attention and derail our productivity.
To help strengthen your undivided attention span, use your essential oils! You can improve your performance of simple, everyday tasks. You can get better focus for school or studying. Or, use aromatherapy to improve your alertness in business meetings or at work.
Always make sure to use pure essential oils for aromatherapy benefits. You cannot expect therapeutic qualities if you use a low grade oil that may be fake or adulterated. Please shop from trusted brands.
1. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
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Lemon is THE best oil for people who find it difficult concentrating. It can boost your memory, concentration, and focus.
According to a study, (4) you can regulate serotonin and dopamine in the brain with Lemon essential oil. This makes it an excellent mood enhancer that helps to reduce stressful moments.
Put 4-5 drops into a 1 oz spray bottle. Fill with water and spray it around your room and surroundings to help promote your mental performance, increase energy, and heighten your spirit.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
Certified Organic Lavender – A Beautiful Oil
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Lavender essential oil can help relieve stress, anxiety and depression. It also calms tension, promotes relaxation, and can help curb sleeplessness. All these conditions are triggers of high blood pressure and elevated heart rates. When you’re feeling stressed out and starting to lose focus, reach for your Lavender oil.
This medical study (5) concluded that Lavender essential oil is useful for lowering anxious moments and symptoms of hyperactivity.
Inhale Lavender oil using a diffuser or personal inhaler. You can also use it topically applying on the back of your neck, wrists, and chests.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense Serrata, 10 ml
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Frankincense essential oil influences the central nervous system. It can soothe anxiety, panic attacks, and constant stress. With that, it allows you to enjoy enhanced focus, concentration, and mental clarity.
If you want to soothe your nerves and improve relaxation, add a few drops of Frankincense to your bathwater. Swirl around well before getting in.
Frankincense is also popular in personal inhalers, diffusers, or personal diffuser jewelry. I prefer to use Frankincense in the evenings, but some also like to start their day with it!
4. Cypress Essential Oil
Cypress Essential Oil
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Cypress essential oil has a minty fragrance that evokes mental clarity and emotional calmness. It enhances your mental state, concentration, and focus. If you need to lengthen your attention span or strengthen your memory, reach for Cypress oil.
Add some drops of essential oils to your diffuser blend in your home or office.
5. Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary Sage Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
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Clary Sage essential oil is steam distilled from the buds and leaves of the Clary Sage plant.
Research (3) has validated that Clary sage can improve mental abilities. It was especially successful for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Clary Sage works great in diffuser blends. Also, you can inhale it from a tissue or personal inhaler. Have it on hand for whenever you need it, and enjoy enhanced cognitive functions.
6. Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli Essential Oil
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The fragrance of Patchouli essential oil can induce production of dopamine and serotonin. These hormones are responsible for stimulating emotions of excitement in the brain.
Enjoy an uplifted mood, reduced symptoms of depression, and eased tensions with Patchouli.
After mixing with a carrier oil, apply a few drops to your temples and forehead.
You can also use it in a warm bath and dip yourself into the solution. Follow this bath salts recipe here. Simply substitute Patchouli essential oil in the recipe.
7. Peppermint Essential Oil
Organic Peppermint Oil
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This study (1) proved that Peppermint essential oil is effective in increasing mental alertness. Another research paper (2) did a case study with three test groups. The first group inhaled the scent of Peppermint oil. The second group inhaled the fragrance of Ylang-Ylang. The last group did not receive any treatment at all.
The group that used Peppermint oil exhibited greater concentration, focus, and mental clarity. The last group with no fragrance displayed little difference in behavior.
You can inhale Peppermint oil as often as needed. For portability, you can put it in a small bottle, personal inhaler, or roll-on stick.
8. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Indian Sandalwood from Rocky Mountain Oils
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Are you a yogi or into meditation? Sandalwood essential oil may be a good choice for you! It promotes positive thinking, mental clarity, concentration, and focus.
In India, it is used during childbirth and in marriages as a holy oil. Some religions like Hinduism adopt it as a token for religious worship and other traditional functions.
There are three types of Sandalwood: Hawaiian Sandalwood, Indian Sandalwood, and Australian Sandalwood. The recommended species is the Indian Sandalwood for best performance.
When putting oils on your skin, always use your essential oils with coconut oil or almond oil. These are carrier oils that dilute the strength of the essential oils to a skin-tolerable level.
Apply Sandalwood behind the neck before bedtime or in the mornings. You can also inhale it as needed throughout the day.
9. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary Essential Oil
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Focus is one of the most essential skills. It plays a powerful role in our ability to be a success in any undertaking in life.
Rosemary can relieve anxiety, reduce stress, and improve focus and concentration. It also aids sleeplessness and insomnia.
Rosemary essential oil is steam distilled using the flowering parts of the herb. The plant is native to Mediterranean regions. Most persons are familiar with it, and use it for culinary purposes.
In 2012, a study (6) concluded that this aromatherapy oil can boost your cognitive skills and mental prowess.
10. Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver Essential Oil
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In countries like Sri Lanka and India, people nickname Vetiver ‘The oil of tranquility’. It is useful for handling sleeplessness, emotional distress, anxiety, and traumatic attacks.
It is an aromatherapy base note with a soothing fragrance and invigorating properties.
Experts conducted research (7) that affirmed the oil can help children with the inability to concentrate during class.
It stimulated tranquility and calmness, thereby supporting studies and focus.
For a sound and refreshing night’s rest, apply Vetiver on your feet before bedtime. Fill your room with the fragrance of this oil by using in a diffuser daily as needed.
Final Thoughts
Focus plays an important role in any endeavor in life. At the most fundamental level, losing focus means you don’t get the things done that you really need to have done.
Staying focused gives you the ability to filter out distractions. It can help you reach your goals much faster, and live a more peaceful life as a result.
Whether you’re a student seeking laser-like attention during study sessions, or a professional needing to boost productivity at work, these essential oils are here to help you seize the day with unparalleled focus.
Use an ultrasonic oil diffuser for quick aromatherapy treatments anywhere: at home, in your office, for studying or simply to boost your brainpower in the morning. Follow one of my 10 focus diffuser blend recipes to get started! The diffuser will spread tiny droplets of the essential oil through the air as they are sprayed. Or, there are many more ways to use your essential oils outlined here.
References
(1) http://jass.neuro.wisc.edu/2012/01/Lab%20603%20Group%205%20The%20Effect%20of%20Peppermint%20on%20Memory%20Performance.pdf
(2) https://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/aroma-peppermint-enhances-memory-and-increases-alertness-human-subjects
(3) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00110552
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241490/
(5) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13651501.2013.813555
(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736918/
(7) http://files.meetup.com/1481956/ADHD%20Research%20by%20Dr.%20Terry%20Friedmann.pdf
Emma,
You are a dear.
Thank you for this post.
I was reading via mobile and now can’t remember where, that focus, concentration, memory are a few things that are disintegrating when one has chronic fatigue.
These EO recipes will most likely be a wonderful way to begin as my CFS is really affecting me.
ElLois
I’d like to see some focus on the dangers of using essential oils around cats. Most people, like I was, are not aware of the dangers, and I strongly feel that anyone who sells or promotes essential oils should have this warning front & centre. It could save a lot of suffering for both cats and their owners.
I love essential oils, and in the past, I diffused them regularly. One of my cats became deathly ill, and, although I can’t prove it was caused by the oils, I strongly feel that was the case. I had taken him to the vet and took many measures to deal with his illness. In desperation, I went online to see if there was a chance that an essential oil might be helpful to him. I was horrified at the information I found. I had been to many meetings and seminars promoting the benefits of essential oils, and there was never an inkling that many of them are toxic to cats. Given that there are so many households with cats (I had three at the time), I would think it would be very important to advise / warn people to take precautions around their cats. I use doTerra oils, and when I contacted the person who had introduced me to the oils, she contacted the company. All I got was that I should provide an escape route for cats, and that cats would leave the area if the oil was bothering them. The living area of my house is completely open – I could not block it off to contain the cats if I tried, so these situations did not exist.
I am not blaming you for promoting the use of essential oils, and I still use them for my personal use. My message here is that there should be strong warnings about the dangers of using essential oils around cats.