Are you having trouble focusing, studying, or a combination of the two, no matter how hard you try? It is perfectly normal. It’s easy to get distracted as distractions are everywhere and it is human nature to be curious and excited about things that are different. But know that hope is not lost; here is a list of essential oils that you can try to improve your levels of concentration that can be used for studying and more!

1. Sage

This warm and robust scented essential oil is known to stimulate the mind by encourage mental clarity and raising levels of alertness. Using sage essential oil can manifest an uplifting and strengthening effect on the senses to ease negative mood. An added bonus is that sage essential oil can help to improve one’s memory, which is a major boost if you have a long to-do list which requires you remembering a lot of things or if you’re going to sit for an exam soon.

2. Cedarwood

Cedarwood essential oil has an aromatic woody scent with balsamic undertones that can help deodorize indoor environments, providing you with a fresh environment to study in, and can even help to repel insects if any. Cedarwood essential oil stimulates the mind by improving cerebral activity, heightening concentration and managing hyperactivity, ideal if you’re nervous preparing for an important meeting or presentation. It can also encourage higher quality of sleep as it helps to relax the body and relieve tension.

3. Peppermint

This refreshing and vigorous scent will wake you up by encouraging easy breathing and clearing nasal congestion if any, therefore improving mental focus and reducing feelings of nervousness and irritability. With menthol being one of its chemical components, it has analgesic properties which helps ease headaches and muscle aches, commonly caused by stress or sitting in one position for too long (typically by sitting at a desk facing a computer/ laptop).

4. Spearmint

If you like minty smell but find peppermint a bit too strong for you, spearmint is a great alternative as it has a softer and milder scent compared to peppermint. Spearmint essential oil has a calming effect; it is even used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat headaches and skin problems. The calming effects also helps the mind and body to relax, making it easier to focus on whatever it is you’re doing.

5. Pine

Just like cedarwood essential oil, pine essential oil can also help to purify indoor environments and it also blends well with cedarwood, sage and peppermint essential oil. Pine essential oil is an ideal choice if you have tasks that require higher levels of focus and awareness. It will help to you to do not only that, but it will also increase levels productivity and when you’re productive; it will also enhance your mood.

6. Eucalyptus

If you like the smell of the forest with hints of mint and lemon, you can opt for eucalyptus essential oil. It is a lot easier to focus when you’re feeling bright and invigorated. The freshness of this scent has a purifying and clarifying effect, helping to clear the mind, promote relaxation, making it easier to breathe and reducing the feeling of sluggishness in the process.

Essential Oil Recipes for Focus & Study

Here are a few essential oil blends that will help you concentrate for times when optimal focus and mental clarity is required. Diffuse them for about 30 minutes. For diffusers with the standard capacity, 100ml, use 4-5 drops of essential oils. For 200ml water capacity, you may use 6-8 drops.

Lemongrass + Helichrysum + Rosemary

The fresh grassy scent of lemongrass when inhaled boosts alertness and energy while reducing stress, tension, irritability and other undesirable feelings. Helichrysum’s earthy and honey-like scent is emotionally grounding. Rosemary, sweet and herbaceous, can help boost cognitive function. It was even used by ancient Greeks while studying to improve their memory.

100ml water	200ml water
Option A 1-2 drops lemongrass 2-3 drops helichrysum/rosemary	Option A 2-3 drops lemongrass 4-5 drops helichrysum/rosemary
Option B 1 drop lemongrass 2 drops helichrysum2 drops rosemary	Option B 2 drops lemongrass 3 drops helichrysum 3 drops rosemary

Frankincense + Peppermint + Lime/Orange

Frankincense’s balsamic and spicy scent helps the mind to settle down for better focus and clarity. The intensely cool scent of peppermint is stimulating to the senses, elevating wakefulness and alertness. The bright citrusy scent of both lime and orange leaves you feeling energized while reducing negative thoughts and feelings.

100ml water	200ml water
Option A 2 drops frankincense/peppermint 2 drops lime/orange	Option A 4 drops frankincense/peppermint 4 drops lime/orange
Option B 1 drop frankincense 1 drop peppermint 1 drop lime 1 drop orange	Option B 2 drops frankincense 2 drops peppermint 2 drops lime 2 drops orange

Geranium + Basil + Clary Sage

Geranium has a floral fruity scent that is both soothing and uplifting to the senses, helping to achieve an ideal mindset for focus. The crisp herbaceous scent of basil can help snap you out of sluggishness and distractions. Clary sage, which has a earthy and slightly floral scent, is often used for meditation and spirituality practices, as they are able to clear the mind for an enhanced state of concentration and awareness.

100ml water	200ml water
Option A 1-2 basil/clary sage 2-3 drops geranium	Option A 2-3 drops basil/clary sage 4-5 drops geranium
Option B 1 drop basil 1 drop clary sage 2 drops geranium	Option B 2 drops basil 2 drops clary sage 4 drops geranium

Grapefruit + Bergamot + Ginger/Clove

Grapefruit’s pleasant and tangy scent is well known for enhancing mood and cognitive function. Bergamot creates an enlivening atmosphere with its tart and citrusy aroma. Both ginger and clove are warm and emotionally comforting, reducing and quieting down chaotic thoughts and feelings while boosting mental performance and energy.

100ml water	200ml water
Option A 1-2 drops ginger/clove 2-3 drops grapefruit/bergamot	Option A 2-3 drops ginger/clove 4-5 drops grapefruit/bergamot
Option B 1 drop grapefruit 1 drop bergamot 1 drop ginger 1 drop clove	Option B 2 drops grapefruit 2 drops bergamot 2 drops ginger 2 drops clove

Fennel + Lemon + Tangerine

Fennel heightens mental clarity and concentration with its sweet and pleasantly spicy aroma. Lemon’s vibrant and invigorating scent tackles factors that may disrupt concentration such as fatigue, lethargy, irritability and other unfavorable factors. Tangerine is emotionally balancing. Its sweet and fresh scent is also beneficial if you’re having a mental block or feeling stuck.

100ml water	200ml water
Option A 2 drops fennel 2 drops lemon/tangerine	Option A 4 drops fennel 4 drops lemon/tangerine
Option B 1 drop fennel 2 drops lemon 2 drops tangerine	Option B 2 drops fennel 3 drops lemon 3 drops tangerine

Whether you’re studying, doing research, working on an assignment, project, preparing for a presentation, or simply need to contemplate and make decisions, these blends can help you to achieve a clearer state of mind and at the same time, improve your mood. Don’t forget to practice with care. Consult a health care or medical professional if you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition.