Maintaining focus is easier said than done.
You know how hard it can be to stay focused after hours of studying.
You might resort to caffeine as a first aid to clear up your mind, but it can do very little to improve your cognition. And the caffeine “pick-me-up” is often followed by an energy crash.
Other stimulants (legal and illegal) have even worse side effects.
If you are like me, you may wonder if there is a natural solution that will help you focus, improve memory and help you get through those long study sessions.
This is where the essential oils for studying can give some help.
For centuries, essential oils have been used as a natural aid that boosts overall cognitive abilities. This has even got its own name – aromatherapy. The soothing scent of essential oil refreshes your mind and improves mental acuity and memory.
Scent has proven to be a strong mental stimulant. Essential oils can help you focus. They can improve memory. They can improve cognition. They can help wake you up when you are fading.
Admittedly, the effect of smelling an essential oil may not be as powerful as a double shot of Espresso, but it is 100% natural and has no side effects. The same thing cannot be said for our “double shot of Espresso” pick-me-up.
This post will show you 5 of the essential oils that can actually be a useful aid in helping you study, focus, learn and stay awake for those long night's of study.
Check out the list of the best essential oils for studying to get the upper hand in your exams.
Don't have the time read the entire review?
Here's a quick look at our top choices for the best essential oils for studying.
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Cognition Boosting: Plant Therapy Rosemary 1,8-Cineole Essential Oil | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Mental Acuity and Memory: Edens Garden Peppermint Essential Oil | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Improves Mood and Focus: Plant Therapy Orange Sweet Organic Essential Oil | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Relaxes Without Causing Fatigue: Plant Therapy Ylang Ylang Complete Essential Oil | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Improves Memory and Mental Acuity: Plant Therapy Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
Best Essential Oils for Studying Reviews
1. Cognition Boosting Essential Oil for Studying: Plant Therapy Rosemary 1,8-Cineole Essential Oil
1,8-cineole is a compound found in rosemary and this is a 100% natural essential oil made from the aerial parts of Rosmarinus officinalis. It’s worth noting that Plant Therapy went the extra distance to ensure the highest quality standards and put each bottle through proper testing.
In addition, the Plant Therapy Rosemary 1,8-Cineole is certified USDA organic, non-GMO, and completely safe for children.
As for cognition-boosting properties, rosemary 1,8-cineole is hard to rival. A recent study shows that rosemary contains active compounds that affect and improve pathways of the brain that are responsible for focus, memory, and retention. The same study found the aromatic 1,8-cineole improves math skills and long-term memory.
Given these properties, you can count on the Plant Therapy Rosemary 1,8-Cineole for studying, but there are more benefits. This oil is a great natural remedy for hair and scalp health. It helps you deal with scalp itch and dandruff and promotes hair growth at the same time.
Have problems with cramps or upset stomach? Rosemary 1,8-Cineole can help. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil of your choice and gently rub it over your stomach.
When you want to stay sharp for your exams, mix equal parts lemon juice and rosemary 1,8-cineole oil and put it in your inhaler. When you’re studying, you can sniff directly from the bottle once in a while.
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2. Mental Acuity and Memory: Edens Garden Peppermint Essential Oil
Looking for a refreshing scent with just a touch of sweetness to keep your mind sharp? The Edens Garden Peppermint essential oil could be what you are searching for. Put a few drops in your diffuser and allow the soothing scent to do its magic.
The Edens Garden Peppermint is 100% pure without any additives, bases, or fillers. The oil also has a GC/MS certificate. In addition, Edens Garden stores the oils in a temperature-controlled room under minimal light to retain the oil’s therapeutic characteristics.
Tests and certificates give you peace of mind about the quality, but how effective is peppermint oil for studying? The cognitive-boosting properties of peppermint have been well researched.
For example, the International Journal of Neuroscience conducted a study that shows peppermint oil increases mental acuity and memory. In addition, the same study found that it may improve the speed of information processing.
On top of that, peppermint oil is a potent natural remedy for some common ailments. It is known to help with clogged sinuses, cramps, and migraine and headache symptoms. More importantly, this oil may lessen daytime fatigue and boost your energy levels, just what you need for your studies.
As for the product itself, the Edens Garden Peppermint essential oil is available in 5, 10, and 30ml dropper bottles. There is also a value pack and a 10ml roll-on for easier application.
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3. Essential Oil that Improves Mood | Focus: Plant Therapy Orange Sweet Organic Essential Oil
Plant Therapy’s Orange Sweet Organic features a fresh juicy scent with a distinct citrus aroma. As such, this essential oil is perfect for invigorating aromatherapy that soothes your nerves and improves focus.
The main active ingredients are the oils that come from the peel of Citrus x Sinensis, which is a sweet orange species cultivated in Italy and Mexico. Plant Therapy uses the best fruits and the cold-pressed method to get top-quality citrus extracts for this 100% pure natural therapeutic-grade oil.
And if you are looking for quality standards and certification, the Plant Therapy Orange Sweet Essential Oil has plenty to offer. Like most of the company’s products, this essential oil features non-GMO and USDA Organic labels.
Plus, it’s safe for children to use and the leaping bunny certificate signifies a natural cruelty-free product. But what about the beneficial properties?
First of all, this oil is a must-have for those who suffer from exam blues. A few whiffs of the Orange Sweet and your mood is bound to receive an instant boost.
In addition, several studies found that the fragrance of orange essential oil lowers anxiety levels, which might be a real lifesaver during the exam season.
When it comes to application, this oil can be used on its own but it might be too potent for some people. So it’s best to dilute it or combine with carrier oils like lemon, frankincense, or vanilla. For example, add three drops of the Orange Sweet to two tablespoons of carrier oil to get a 1% dilution.
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4. Relaxes Without Causing Fatigue: Plant Therapy Ylang Ylang Complete Essential Oil
Cananga odorata or ylang-ylang is a plant with curly yellow flowers that grows in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The oil is derived from the flowers and the Plant Therapy Ylang Ylang Complete has 100% pure extract and a rich aromatic profile.
If you are wondering about the scent, this essential oil has a potent floral fragrance with just a touch of sweetness.
As an essential oil for studying, ylang-ylang should help you cope with anxiety, it relieves muscle tension and reduces stress levels. It’s important to note that this essential oil relaxes your body and mind without making you drowsy or sleepy.
For a more potent effect, feel free to mix the Ylang Ylang Complete with other Plant Therapy essential oils. A few drops of this and the Rosemary 1,8-Cineole would create a powerful mix that can help you endure hours of studying.
Plus, the Plant Therapy Ylang Ylang essential oil has a medium-strength aroma which makes it an excellent choice if you are sensitive to potent fragrances.
Unlike other essential oils, ylang-ylang is also a powerful aphrodisiac and has long been used for romantic massage. That said, you need to be careful with topical applications because some skin irritation may occur.
It’s best to dilute it to less than 0.8%, which means three drops of the Ylang Ylang Complete with three or four tablespoons of carrier oil.
You should know that the Ylang Ylang has all the quality certificates you might be looking for, USDA Organic, non-GMO, 100% pure, etc. But according to the Plant Therapy website this oil is not suitable for children.
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5. “Study” Essential Oil that Improves Memory & Mental Acuity: Plant Therapy Eucalyptus Globulus Organic Essential Oil
The sharp and refreshing eucalyptus oil fragrance cuts right through the fog in your mind. It delivers just the punch you need for studying for hours on end.
But you don’t want just any eucalyptus oil. 100% natural oil provides the best results and that’s exactly what you get with the Plant Therapy Organic Eucalyptus.
To ensure premium healing powers, Plant Therapy carefully picks eucalyptus leaves and steam distills them to obtain the purest extract.
The final result is an undiluted colorless essential oil that gets right into the dropper bottle. Needless to say, Organic Eucalyptus doesn’t contain any fillers or synthetic additives.
As indicated, eucalyptus essential oil can be a powerful stimulant that removes the clutter from your mind and invigorates the senses. In some ways, this oil is similar to peppermint because it improves mental acuity and allows for better memory.
Furthermore, Organic Eucalyptus can help you fight headaches and migraines that may come from too many hours in front of a computer. It also gives your immune system a boost and helps you ward off seasonal viruses.
You should know that this oil has a strong aroma with distinct herbaceous fragrance and subtle woody tones.
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Essential Oil Buyer’s Guide
Before you make the final decision, there are a few things you should know. about essential oils and how to apply them.
(Side bar: If you're having trouble remembering the material you're trying to learn, then The Feynman Technique can help you solve this issue.)
Essential Oils You Should Look For
In general, there are five essential oils that can be beneficial for studying. They are peppermint, rosemary, orange sweet, ylang-ylang, and eucalyptus. Each has its own set of characteristics but they all allow for better focus, memory, and cognitive performance.
There is not really a best choice among these 5 choices. They are all useful in their own unique ways and many of the essential oils have some overlapping benefits.
As for specific features, pungent types like peppermint and eucalyptus have a particularly reinvigorating scent.
Used in a diffuser, these oils can provide a continuous stream of refreshing fragrance that’s perfect for long studying sessions.
On the other hand, orange sweet and ylang-ylang have a somewhat milder aroma and act as soothing agents as well. Of course, the actual potency and aroma strength may vary from one manufacturer to another.
How to Use Essential Oils
There are three ways to apply/use essential oils — you can inhale them, apply the oil to your skin, or drink them. Mind you, essential oils in this list are not suitable for direct consumption. (This goes for other essential oils as well.)
For example, eucalyptus oil should never be eaten, but it’s perfectly safe to inhale and apply topically.
With this in mind, you should know that essential oils for studying work best when inhaled. There are several ways to do it. Here’s a quick rundown of the popular methods.
Direct Sniffing
Open the dropper bottle and take a whiff directly from it. The results may come fast but it’s not possible with every oil depending on the potency.
Diffuser
This is probably the best method for students. A few drops go into the device and it projects soothing aromas into the air while you study. You can also insert diffuser sticks into the bottle and leave the whole thing in your study room.
Need an Essential Oil Diffuser?
If you don't have an essential oil diffuser (or want to grab a new one), then here are favorite three options. Just find the diffuser that looks interesting and then click the yellow button to get more information:
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Best Overall Choice: Lux Blue Marble Diffuser by Rocky Mountain Oils | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best High-End Oil Diffuser: Aroma Tech AroMini | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Most Budget-Friendly Option: InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
Dry Evaporation
If you don’t want to spend money on a diffuser, dry evaporation is the next best thing. Put a few drops of the oil on cotton balls, place them in a bowl, and let natural evaporation do the trick.
What are Carrier Oils?
As suggested by the name, these are oils that act as a base for other oils, in this case, essential oils. That’s because they’re not soluble in water so you’ll need something else to dilute them.
Carrier oils are usually vegetable-based like avocado and coconut, or they come from kernels and nuts like black cumin seed oil. Primarily carrier oils are mixed with essential oils to dilute them for topical application. But these carrier oils can also be mixed with the essential oils to make a custom blend for your diffuser.
Quality Concerns
Most of the products claim to pure, organic, and 100% additive-free. However, you can never be completely certain unless you look at the fine print. As a rule, FDA-approved essential oils are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
In addition, it doesn’t hurt if the oil has undergone third-party testing and sports certain certificates. For example, GC-MS tests are a good indicator that you are getting what you pay for.
Final Thoughts on the Best Essential Oils for Studying
Recommending one essential oil over another is not an easy task because the final choice boils down to your personal preference.
All five oils have their place and are useful in their own way. However, there is an oil that stands out as one of the best essential oils for studying.
The Plant Therapy Rosemary 1,8-Cineole Essential Oil has all the properties a student might want. The scent directly affects the pathways that are responsible for cognition and memory.
What’s more, it may speed up and sharpen your brain, allowing for more productive studying. And there are several medical studies that attest to the nootropic characteristics of this oil.
Now, if you're looking for more ways to improve your study habits, be sure to check out these articles:
- The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Perfect Study Schedule
- 27 Free Study Plan Templates to Edit, Download, and Print
- 17 Educational Goals Examples & Ideas for Students
Finally, if you want a PROVEN method to mastering your next test, then take this short masterclass on how to study for exams and getting excellent grades.
