5 Essential oils for energy and focus

If you haven’t already bought into the essential oils craze of the past several years, you may be in the camp of skepticism, but essential oils have been used as a home remedy since nearly the very beginning of civilization. There may not be a ton of scientific evidence to back the various claims about the benefits of essential oils, but anecdotally their usefulness can’t be denied. My own personal introduction to essential oils was, like many people’s, through lavender oil. Lavender oil is said to have calming and sleep-inducing properties and for at least a few years it has worked for those very purposes for my entire family, including my children.

The benefits of essential oils reach far and wide, and there are a number of different oils that may actually help if you have needs of the opposite variety. Some essential oils are actually very useful in helping people focus and concentrate and some can even provide an awesome all-natural energy boost. Used in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle habits like exercise, eating nutritious foods and getting plenty of rest, oils may be a wonderful addition to your daily routine. Skip the coffee this afternoon and try diffusing or applying these oils instead.

Grapefruit. Citrus oils distilled from the rind of fruits like grapefruit, lemon and orange have long been known to improve mood and boost the immune system. Additionally, the tart scent of these oils –especially that of grapefruit — can be a great way to wake up your senses first thing in the morning. You can diffuse it along with other citrus oils or any other complementary scents as you go about your morning routine or apply it directly to your temples with a roller ball. You could even combine it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond and use it as a moisturizer.

Cinnamon. Cinnamon improves blood flow and circulation which can have a great affect on your overall energy levels and provide a quick lift when you’re feeling fatigued. When that increased blood flow reaches your brain, it’ll also have the effect of improving focus and concentration and could even benefit your metabolism. Cinnamon oil can be diffused or applied topically when mixed with a carrier oil.

Peppermint. Peppermint doesn’t just smell wonderful, it’s also a total mood booster. It’s even known to help alleviate the brain fog some of us feel as we get older, after a rough night’s sleep or a long day’s work. Plus, the menthol that is naturally present in peppermint can help remedy general fatigue. I love to diffuse it in my home along with sweet orange oil during the day. It’s a natural air freshener that helps keep me energized and focused on busy days. It can also be combined with a carrier oil and applied on the temples and behind the ears.

Rosemary. Rosemary is a known stimulant so when inhaled or ingested it can have the same effect as other stimulants like caffeine. The ancient Greeks and Romans apparently believed that rosemary helps improve brain function and more recent studies have actually shown that it helps prevent the breakdown of a brain chemical that is known to impede concentration and memory. Rosemary is best used via a diffuser, but you can also try simply sniffing from the bottle for a quick boost.

Ginger. Much like cinnamon, ginger is also excellent for blood flow and circulation which makes it an excellent essential oil for improving brain function. It can also help alleviate muscle fatigue, giving you more physical energy to help you get through busy days or even just a tough workout. Plus, ginger has a slew of other benefits including as a remedy for indigestion and as a potent immune aid when you’re feeling under-the-weather. You can diffuse ginger or try finding food-grade ginger essential oil and mixing a drop into your water or tea.

Also read: 4 Benefits of meditation in midlife

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