3 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Focus + Memory

If you’ve been struggling with focus, then you’ve come to the right place! There are a number of things you can do to improve your attention and memory. For instance, drinking enough water, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting screen time, and getting adequate sleep all contribute to brain function and overall health. And, yes, essential oils can help as well!

For instance, these handy oils can help to:

• stimulate your mind
• reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
• improve feelings of depression
• give more clarity
• make you feel energized
• improve memory retention

3 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Focus and Memory

Below, I’ve reviewed three diffuser blends that are beneficial for focus and memory. Each essential oil listed supports brain function in specific ways. However, feel free to substitute different essential oils to suit your particular needs. 

Blend #1─Peppermint, Rosemary, and Lemon

If your brain is feeling sluggish, stressed, and you’re mentally exhausted, then this is the blend for you! Peppermint, rosemary, and lemon are a fantastic combination to stimulate your mental capacity and help you feel more energized so you can concentrate on what needs to get done. 

Peppermint

With its crisp, minty aroma, peppermint is one of the most commonly used essential oils for focus and memory. There is something about the cool, refreshing fragrance that automatically perks you up and clears your mind.

In fact, a study looking at cognitive performance and mood found that peppermint essential oil increased both alertness and memory in participants when the aroma was inhaled [source].

Rosemary

Rosemary is often referred to as the “herb of remembrance” and is frequently listed as one of the best essential oils for focus and memory. A study looking at serial subtraction and visual processing showed that the aroma of rosemary essential oil improved performance on cognitive tasks [source]. Another very interesting paper showed significant changes in beta brain waves of the test subjects, indicating its ability to stimulate mental activity [source].

Next time you’re studying for an exam or trying to get a big presentation done for work, you might consider diffusing rosemary to help sharpen your focus. 

Lemon

If you’re having trouble concentrating because you’re totally stressed out, then lemon essential oil is the one for you. Its bright, citrusy aroma is great for lifting your spirits and energizing your mind, all while reducing stress [source].

Don’t you already feel happier just thinking about the pleasant, fresh aroma of lemon essential oil? I know I do! 

Blend #2─Vetiver, Lavender, and Eucalyptus

This blend would be especially beneficial if the reason you’re struggling with focus and memory is because you’re feeling out of sorts and distracted. This is a grounding combination of essential oils that can bring some clarity and help you feel more centered.

Vetiver

Vetiver has traditionally been used for its beautiful fragrance. But it is also a wonderful option if you’re having a hard time concentrating on mental work. Due to its grounding properties, it can help you feel more relaxed and focused. Vetiver has been shown to improve alertness and make you feel refreshed [source]. And in one study, it even helped improve reaction times in subjects while they performed a visual task [source]. 

Lavender

It shouldn’t surprise you to see lavender on this list. Lavender essential oil is normalizing and also helps promote a calm environment. So, if you’re having trouble focusing due to anxiety, stress, or overstimulation, lavender would be a great choice [source].

Additionally, it blends nicely with most essential oils and has awesome synergistic properties as well! 

Eucalyptus

The sharp, menthol-like aroma of eucalyptus is well-suited for energizing the mind and improving focus. It’s a stimulating oil that not only can help promote clear breathing, but it is also believed to help with clarity and energy. Just a couple sniffs of the rich aroma can help get your foggy mind back on track and focused!

Blend #3─Sweet Orange, Patchouli, and Clary Sage

If stress, anxiety, or depression are keeping you from being able to concentrate, then this is your blend! The essential oils in this mixture can help you feel calmer and more relaxed, all while uplifting your spirits. 

Sweet Orange

I find myself using sweet orange essential oil more and more. It’s quite versatile, and it combines so nicely with other oils that it frequently makes an appearance in my blends. Like other citrus oils, sweet orange has a way of lifting the spirits and improving your mood [source].

So, if you’re feeling down or even a bit depressed and it’s making it hard for you to focus, sweet orange can help boost your mood while bringing in those relaxing vibes. 

Patchouli

Similar to vetiver, patchouli is a calming essential oil that is balancing and grounding. It can be beneficial when you’re feeling irritable, frantic, anxious, or depressed. In a study with human volunteers, inhaling the fragrance reduced some chemicals in the body’s stress response by 40% [source]. It can also be used to sharpen intelligence and improve concentration [source]. If you’re new to using patchouli, I recommend using only a drop or two in blends until you become more used to its distinct aroma. 

Clary Sage

If your inattentiveness and memory issues are due to stress, anxiety, or depression, then you should give clary sage a try. It contains antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties and is a great option to consider if you need help balancing your thoughts and emotions [source].

I have found that I really love the aroma of clary sage and frequently use it when I am stressed out and having trouble focusing on the task at hand.

How to Use Focus and Memory Diffuser Blends

Diffusion is one of the simplest and safest ways to use essential oils. Simply combine equal amounts of the essential oils listed in a specific blend, based on your diffuser’s instructions. Then, use your focus and memory blend as needed whenever you are in relatively quiet surroundings so that you can relax and take them in.

In Conclusion

We all go through times where we struggle with focus and memory. Luckily, there are many healthy habits you can incorporate into your routines to help brain function, letting the therapeutic properties of essential oils work for you.

In fact, using essential oils is one of the simplest things you can do. Whether you’re feeling run down, anxious, depressed, distracted, or you’re just in a slump, essential oils can help you become more relaxed and focused so you can get your life back on track!