Feeling unproductive, unfocused, and exhausted?

This shouldn’t be a regular event.

The last few weeks, I have been discussing the topics of low energy, inattention, and poor motivation and providing solutions for them:

In my previous post, I integrated all this background information and expanded on the categories of therapeutic herbs by revealing my six favorites for attention, vitality, and cognition. I explained their main actions, my clinical tips, and how I differentiate the best ones to use with clients.

Now, I will finish this series by providing you with a list of my favorite mind-body benefiting essential oils that you may also want to incorporate for better brain health and body rejuvenation.

My Favorite Essential Oils for Energy, Focus, and Cognition

Essential oils are not only supportive of emotional and mental health, but also cognition. This is because they impact the brain at the psychological, physiological, structural, functional, and biochemical levels. Essential oils are a perfect complement to naturopathic philosophy in that they are holistic, integrative, and honor the healing power of nature.

I have already listed some of my favorite oils for focus in a previous post on this subject. They are expanded upon below. As you review them, you will see that, just as with herbal adaptogens, these oils all share the ability to augment mental performance, but each also has specific characteristics and properties that are unique and additive to optimizing health.

It is important to remember that everyone’s nervous system, genetics, biology, and emotional response will interplay with their biochemical response to the oil. This means there are many different oils that could fit an individual’s needs and current situation. It also means that some are better suited for a person at a particular phase in their wellness journey.

 

Important Safety Consideration:

Now, before I get started, what I said in my post on botanicals holds as well for essential oils in regard to safety:

Although I provide tips for their use based on my experience in clinical practice, it is important to note that I use questionnaires and/or testing to assess hormones and neurotransmitters that impact which herbs (and oils) I select for my clients. I also ensure proper dosage and monitoring whenever I suggest a therapeutic modality.

These aspects are important, as any intervention can cause some side effects if dosages are not adequately accounted for or one’s nervous system responds negatively. Please make sure that you are also taking these factors into consideration, along with your healthcare provider, if you decide to implement any of these medicinal plants.”

That being said, it’s now time to dive into my top five single oils for focus.

My Top Five Single Essential Oils for Attention and Mental Alertness

1. Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint oil is best known for how it supports the gut and digestion, but it also enhances exercise performance and attention.

For example, researchers of one small study with 30 healthy male university students randomly divided them into an experimental group of oral administration of peppermint oil (50 ul) and a control group. The study aimed to determine if ingestion of peppermint oil modulated physiological parameters and exercise performance after five minutes and one hour of administration. The authors measured maximum isometric grip force, vertical and long jumps, spirometric parameters, visual and audio reaction times, blood pressure, heart rate, and breath rate. The results revealed significant improvement in all the variables following peppermint essential oil consumption.*

Peppermint has also been shown to be helpful for focus. In one recent, small study it was reported that, “Both cinnamon and peppermint administration led to increased ratings of alertness, decreased temporal demand, and decreased frustration over the course of the driving scenario. In addition, peppermint scent reduced anxiety and fatigue.”

Finally, peppermint oil also has clinical evidence for relieving symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), which is often linked to cognitive and mood imbalances.

When I was in naturopathic medicine school, I was known for passing around a bottle of peppermint oil before exams. Every passerby knew when our class had a test, because the whole room smelled like a refreshing minty delight!!

*(50 ul is about 4-5 drops of essential oils, .05ml = .001 oz, 300 drops are in 15 ml of oils or .5 oz)

 

2. Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary oil has many studies on how it aids memory, cognitive performance, and is stimulating to the nervous system.

In a small study with 20 people assessing rosemary oil, researchers sought to confirm changes in the autonomic nervous system function using various measurements . Results confirmed “the stimulatory effects of rosemary oil and provide supporting evidence that brain wave activity, autonomic nervous system activity, as well as mood states are all affected by the inhalation of the rosemary oil.”**

In another study that assessed rosemary with lemon oil, it was also found it may improve cognitive function in those with dementia.

Expert tip: If you are looking for its energizing properties, you would want to ensure the rosemary chemotype (a species’ dominant constituents) contains higher amounts of 1,8 cineole and monoterpenes.

**Safety Tip: There is some cautionary statements about using rosemary for high blood pressure. This may be true if blood pressure is linked to overstimulation of the nervous system. In this instance, ylang ylang may be a more calming choice.

 

Sage

3. Sage Oil (Salvia officinalis) and Spanish Sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia)

Sage oil has earned its namesake. It has been shown to assist with cognition and brain health in a variety of human trials.

One study assessed the mental benefits of Spanish sage in healthy subjects using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced, crossover design. In this complicated trial, the subjects received more than one treatment dosage and had multiple measurements of the same factor. The authors concluded that memory retrieval was enhanced with the intervention, and the participants reported an improvement in alertness, mood, and cognition.

Several other small trials have also reported on the benefits of sage oil for these brain-boosting properties.

One study with 135 subjects assessed the aroma of Spanish and Common Sage in several conditions. The results indicated that memory, cognition, and mood were positively influenced by the odors, but that inhalation did not produce all the expected effects touted by its oral administration in the literature. It is important to note that this trial did not use an atomizer diffuser, but placed five drops of sage oil on a stone in 5ml of water. This could have accounted for weaker findings in some areas of the experiment.

This chart, found within this comprehensive review, summarizes many of the studies on sage oil.

4. Jasmine Oil

Jasmine oil is one oil that belongs in the acceptance blend, which is an important emotion when aiming to find support for concentration, paying attention, and staying balanced.

In a small trial with 20 subjects published in Journal of Health Research, it was found that inhalation of jasmine caused an increase in beta wave power (indicating increased alertness) in the anterior and left posterior region of the brain. This was measured with an EEG (electroencephalogram). Subjects also reported a greater feeling of well-being and were less drowsy when inhaling jasmine as compared to the resting and control condition (almond oil).

5. Citrus Oils

Citrus smells are well-known for their mood enhancing and nervous system balancing properties. Citrus oils have been found to relieve anxiety, enhance focus, and uplift the mood. They are one of my first choices for children to enhance attention and assist with completing school work.

One study aimed to determine if the scent of orange oil would alleviate fear in children about to undergo a dreaded dental procedure, as compared to an aroma-free environment. Its soothing effect was measured objectively via salivary cortisol and pulse rate and both were found to be positively affected. These researchers were therefore able to demonstrate not just a psychological impact, but the mind-body connection that makes essential oils so beloved!

Bonus for Burnout: Peppermint, Basil, and Helichrysum

In one small pilot study, a combination of peppermint, basil (CT linalool), and helichrysum inhaled from an inhaler was compared to a rosewater control to assess mental exhaustion (ME) and moderate burnout (MB). Measurement of effectiveness was based on a qualitative burnout on a scale of 1-10 and a stressor questionnaire. Researchers determined that “while both groups had a reduction in perception of ME/MB, the aromatherapy group had a much greater reduction.”

 

Essential Oils that Relieve Stress & Balance Hormones

Essential oils such as lavender, bergamot, and patchouli are my “essential oil nervines” for calming nerves and modulating mood when focus and energy are needed for those who are on “overdrive.” If stress and anxiety are causing hyperexcitability and resulting lack of attention, these oils may be something to try. They have all been found to reduce cortisol and each have additional benefits on emotional and mental states that you can explore here.

Other oils that I have reviewed extensively that can modulate thyroid and hormonal status can also be considered. These would be the choice to assist with brain fog and other emotional issues linked to mental and physical fatigue relating to endocrine imbalances.

Conclusion & Application Tips

These oils can be incorporated into any wellness protocol that is assisting with cognitive and brain health. If one is burnt out and fatigued, the single oils and combinations may be your go-tos. If one is needing to calm down to focus, then the essential oils for relieving stress and balancing hormones may be the best bet.

Diffuse these oils or inhale them prior to any cognitive demanding task or to decrease mental fatigue. Most of them, except jasmine, can be ingested and applied topically, if one is versed in safe application and dilution.

What is your favorite oil for energy and vitality?

Share your experiences below.

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Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

According to experts and the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no approved standard of care treatment, cure, or preventative for COVID-19. Supportive measures, vaccination, and containment are in full force as a result. Please see the CDC website and your state’s website for more information and updates. They also state when to contact your physician related to symptoms and travel history, exposures. Please read my more detailed article on this subject here.

This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.

Thanks Pixabay and Canva.

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