Essential oils are a great tool when it comes to supporting focus! Essential oils have tiny molecules that can effectively cross the blood brain barrier, they work with our brains through aromatherapy, and can help us address emotions attached to focus as well. There are so many ways to find support in this area!
FAVORITE OILS FOR FOCUS
There is no shortage of oils and products that can help us with focus, but here are some of our favorites:
Cedarwood, Vetiver, Spikenard, Sandalwood
Peppermint, Lavender
KidScents GeneYus (for adults and kids alike!)
NingXia Nitro
ESSENTIAL OILS, FOCUS & MOOD
One of the main reasons that Cedarwood, Vetiver, Sandalwood, and Spikenard oils can help with focus is because of their unique, natural components – sesquiterpenes.
Examples include Alpha-himachalene, Beta-himachalene, and Gamma-himachalene. These compounds stimulate the limbic system of the brain, help lower brain waves from overly active to focused or from focused to meditative, help elevate the mood and calm the body.
Sesquiterpenes are a powerful tool! They help with oxygenating the pineal and pituitary glands, which are responsible for producing hormones related to sleep and stress. Sesquiterpenes also stimulate Beta Wave production in the brain, which helps with focus. When we are performing a difficult task or working on a problem, our brain increases the amount of beta waves. Sesquiterpenes stimulate and support that natural production and therefore ability to focus.
These compounds also help delete negative information in the cellular memory, making them extremely helpful tools when experiencing or processing trauma of any kind (chemical, medical, physical, emotional, relational).
When we look at the structure of the brain, we see that the amygdala (a tiny, almond-shaped structure) is key when it comes to emotion and fear. The hippocampus is where new nerve cells are created. And it is physically beside the structure responsible for emotions. And is connected to the nose via a cranial nerve.
In short: The part of the brain where new nerve cells are created is connected to the part that processes emotions and is also connected to our sense of smell.
Sesquiterpene compounds stimulate the limbic system of the brain, in turn elevating our mood and calming the body. A simple way to maximize this effect is to apply Cedarwood, Vetiver, or GeneYus to the brainstem to support focus.
USING OILS FOR FOCUS
When creating your support tools, make sure to include at least one oil that is high in sesquiterpenes (Cedarwood, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Spikenard or GeneYus). Peppermint is crisp and altering and wonderful applied to the back of the neck for focus. Lavender helps to calm the mind and body if there is an overly active component. And both Peppermint and Lavender work even better when it is layered over one of the sesquiterpene-rich oils!
Apply chosen oil(s) to the base of the hairline/brainstem area.
Drop chosen oil(s) onto the scalp and/or apply to your hands, then run through the hair to make a ‘hair diffuser'.
Make a Focus Roller to use during work, homework, school, meetings or anytime to help focus the mind:
To a 10mL roller bottle add:
15 drops Frankincense
10 drops each Vetiver, Cedarwood
5 drops Peppermint
Fill with a carrier of choice. Apply over the heart, back of the neck, on the wrists liberally and frequently. If needed, up the drops of oil to meet your specific needs.
Diffuse Peppermint & Cedarwood during homework, study, or at your office or desk.
Place a drop of Vetiver, Cedarwood or Sandalwood into your palm, rub your hands together, then cup your hands over your nose and breathe deeply for a few minutes.
Roll KidScents GeneYus blend on the back of the neck, chest, and wrists as needed.
KidScents GeneYus contains a blend of essential oils that work well together to promote a sense of calm and focus. Frankincense, Vetiver, Sandalwood and Cedarwood are high in sesquiterpenes and are specifically supportive of calming brain waves into focused or even meditative states. These oils combine with other oils like Northern Lights Black Spruce to create a blend that promotes a productive, calm and grounded atmosphere.
Utilize diffuser jewelry and your oil(s) of choice. When needing to focus acutely, breathe deeply from the jewelry that has the oil(s) applied.
Use NingXia Nitro to fuel brain power! NingXia Nitro is a delicious, energizing wolfberry drink infused with essential oils, botanical extracts, D-ribose, Korean ginseng, and green tea extract to support alertness and cognitive and physical fitness. It is a small tube that can be consumed on its own or mixed into NingXia Red for even more antioxidant support.
DIFFUSER BLENDS FOR FOCUS
Diffusing is a wonderful way to get oils in and around multiple people at a time! You can also grab a small USB diffuser to have at your desk at work.
Weighted Blanket: 4 drops each Cedarwood, Vetiver, Lavender
Deep Exhale: 4 drops each Sandalwood, Lime, Peppermint
Clear & Calm: 4 drops Vetiver, 3 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce, 2 drops Peppermint