Essential Oils for Focus and Concentration

Essential Oils for Focus and Concentration

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Can Essential Oils Help Your Focus and Concentration?

Essential oils have been a big thing for a while now, and there has been lots of talk about using them for ADHD.

There are essential oils for almost anything that you can think of, including focus, concentration, and calming, three of the big things that you might want to use them for if you have ADHD.Essential Oils for Focus and Concentration

So is what you’ve been hearing and reading true?

Can essential oils help with your focus and concentration?

The answer is, it depends.

Not what you wanted to hear, right?

The thing is, there are too many variables to take into account.

The quality of the oil – which contains a number of factors – is the biggest consideration.

And of course, things like environmental factors and your health play a part.

The short answer, in my opinion, is that they are worth a try, as long as you are responsible about it. And yes, I use them for many things.

How Essential Oils Work

There are three primary ways that an essential oil might be used:

  1. Diffusing it into the air with a diffuser or inhaling the oil from a cotton pad or something similar. You can buy personal diffusers that you wear around your neck. Some look like scrolled metal and have a pad inside; other are made of clay and you just apply the oil to it.
  2. Applying it directly to the skin, most often using a carrier oil (like coconut oil).
  3. Ingesting the oil, in water or under the tongue. See cautions below.

All of these methods allow the small particles of the oils to enter the body and the bloodstream, where they can work very quickly.

Cautions Regarding Essential Oils

As with anything you put into your body, you have to exercise caution when using essential oils. The fact that they are natural doesn’t mean that they can’t harm you. You should also consult a professional, like your doctor, before taking them if you are also taking prescription drugs.

Diffusing an oil into the air with a diffuser (which uses water plus a small amount of oil – usually a few drops – to create a mist) is probably the safest way to use an oil.

Still, if you have someone in your home who has severe breathing issues, or a very young child or baby, you may want to use caution.

If you choose to apply an oil to your skin, make sure to mix it with a carrier oil of some kind (coconut, jojoba, almond, etc.) to avoid burning your skin.

Some oils, such as lemon, are photosensitive, so avoid using them in the sun. The best places for application are the bottoms of the feet or the back of your neck.

Be extremely cautious when ingesting essential oils. Most oils are not formulated to be taken internally or may not be food grade.

The Best Oils for Focus and Concentration

Although there are more oils than the ones I have listed below, these are my picks:

  • Peppermint. If you have no other oils at all, keep peppermint on hand. It’s great for focus, alertness, headaches and stomach problems. I can’t say enough good things about peppermint oil!
  • Lavender. It might surprise you that lavender is on the list. Most people think of it for calming and headaches, and it’s good for both. But lavender is also great for focus. It seems contradictory, because peppermint – which energizes you – and lavender – which calms you – are both good for focus. So you have to think about why you’re having trouble focusing. Are you tired or fuzzy headed? Peppermint. But if you’re anxious or jittery, then use lavender.
  • Rosemary and basil – together or separately – are good for both focus and concentration.

And you know, you could always make your own blend. Start with a carrier oil, add some peppermint or lavender, and then either basil or rosemary.

You can buy basic supplies online at Amazon, and I’ve even seen them in a few stores. In fact, you might find ready made blends where you buy your oils.

Buying Essential Oils

As I noted earlier, essential oils are everywhere these days, so you need to be smart about what you buy and where you buy it.

Essential oils are natural products that come from plants. The quality of the oil depends on a number of factors, including the way the plant was grown, how the oil was distilled, and how old it is. Is it pure essential oil, or has it been mixed with something?

There are a few companies that are known for their essential oils and they encourage you to become a part of their company in order to buy their oils at a reduced price.

I’ve been associated in the past with a couple of these companies, and while their oils are very good, they are not the only place for you to get good quality essential oils. This article gives you some excellent guidelines on buying good quality oils.

So, the bottom line is that essential oils can do many wonderful things, including possibly helping you focus and concentrate. Just remember to be smart and do your research first, and consult with your doctor if necessary.

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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