Got kids who “zone out” during homework? Need help with staying on task for a project or deadline? Check out these 15 best essential oils for focus and concentration for both kids and adults.
Have trouble with focus and concentration? Got kids who “zone out” when it’s time to do homework?
Believe me, I understand. I used to get the 2 pm slump where I had a hard time focusing on work. And I noticed the same with my children. After an hour of homeschool or homework, I can see their focus fading. I can see that they struggle with concentration. We take lots of breaks with exercise to get them stimulated again, but I’ve also found that essential oils can be really effective in help with focus and concentration too.
How to Use Essential Oils for Focus and Concentration
You can use essential oils in a few different ways to increase focus and concentration.
First, you can use them aromatically. That means use them in a diffuser – which looks similar to a humidifier. You put about 10-12 drops of essential oils in the diffuser and the oils get dispersed into the air. Smelling essential oils actually helps to deliver them to the limbic system of the brain, which affects mood and emotions. So you can see how essential oils can help to calm, relax, and help you focus.
You could even put essential oils in a small spray bottle and make your own misting spray. It’s like an on-the-go diffuser. In a 4 oz spray bottle, add 10-15 drops of essential oil, 1 tbsp witch hazel (which helps to keep the water sanitized) and fill with water. Spritz the air when it’s time to get focused on a project or homework.
Second, you can apply essential oils topically. Dilute essential oils before putting on the skin with carrier oils like coconut oil, almond oil or even avocado oil. I usually do a 1:5 ratio of essential oil to carrier oil and apply on the skin. Dilute more for kids between 5-10.
15 Best Essential Oils for Focus and Concentration
In general, citrus oils (like lemon), herbaceous oils (like basil and rosemary) and root or resin oils (like vetiver and frankincense) are the best for focus and concentration. They help to calm the mind so it can focus, and invigorate it to get things done. You can use these oils in combination… keep reading I’ve got suggestions below.
I only recommend essential oils that I’ve personally used. Hands down, these are the best essential oils I’ve tried and continue to use. You can get a starter set of oils with lavender and frankincense and even a diffuser too along with other oils to.
1. Vetiver
Vetiver is grounding, calming, and stabilizing. Apply 1-2 drops on the bottom of feet or inhale for a few minutes in the morning and at bedtime. It may be used in combination with Lavender and Cedarwood (1-2 drops on the bottom of feet, especially the big toe – a Vita Flex point to the brain).
2. Lavender
Lavender is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, and provides balancing properties. Apply 1-2 drops to the neck and feet before bedtime, add to a diffuser or use in combination with Vetiver and Cedarwood on the bottom of feet.
3. Cedarwood
Cedarwood has a warm, woodsy aroma and provides soothing and calming properties. Apply 1-2 drops with a carrier oil on the feet morning and at bedtime, inhale for a few minutes in the morning and night, add to a diffuser or use in combination with Vetiver and Lavender on the bottom of feet.
The combination of Vetiver, Lavender and Cedarwood is the trifecta of oils to blend for focus and concentration.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary smells so good. It has an herbaceous scent that smells like you just picked it fresh from your garden. It’s soothing scent both helps to reduce mental fatigue and helps to uplift… so it’s great when you have the afternoon slump and need to wake up. Rosemary is great for helping with mental focus. Apply 1-2 drops with a carrier oil on the back of the neck and hairline, or add to the diffuser.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the best oils to use for focus and concentration. The minty aroma is stimulates the mind and give a boost of energy. Add 6 drops each of Peppermint and Lemon together for the best diffuser blend when you need to get things done.
6. Basil
Like Rosemary, Basil has an herbaceous scent that’s so soothing. It’s actually really good for calming nervousness, like that feeling when you know you’re on deadline for a project and it’s overwhelming. Pair with a citrus oil like Lemongrass to help uplift and get you going, while Basil helps you to chill. Add 6 drops each of Basil and Lemongrass to a diffuser while you’re working on a project.
7. Lemongrass
Lemongrass has a refreshing, clean scent that helps to motivate when you’re on deadline for a project. Use in combination with Basil or Rosemary for an uplifting aroma. Use 6 drops each of Lemongrass and Basil/Rosemary in the diffuser.
8. Frankincense
Frankincense is one of the best essential oils for grounding and focus. Put a 1-2 drops behind the neck and on the temples. It’s really gentle so you don’t have to dilute but you can with a carrier oil if you prefer.
9. Lemon
Lemon has an uplifting scent that’s great alone to get motivated to get things done, or pair with Peppermint for an invigorating aroma in the diffuser. Add 6 drops each in the diffuser.
10. Cypress
Cypress is an herbaceous oil that’s great for grounding and calming. It’s great when you’re feeling overwhelmed about a project or deadline. Pair it with a citrus oil like Bergamot or Lemon in the diffuser. Use 6 drops of each in the diffuser.
11. Bergamot
Bergamot is a citrus oil that’s uplifting and invigorating like Lemon. Use it alone in the diffuser or pair with Patchouli in the diffuser. Add 6 drops of each to the diffuser.
12. Patchouli
Patchouli is a popular oil for calming and relaxing, which is perfect when you’ve been putting off an assignment or project. Pair it with a citrus oil like Bergamot to get motivated to get tasks done.
13. Clarity
Clarity is an oil blend (Basil, Peppermint, Rosemary, Geranium, Coriander, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Lemon, Jasmine and Roman Chamomile) with both citrus and herbaceous oils that help with mental alertness and gives clarity. It’s the perfect oil blend to stay on task and get things done. Put 10 drops in the diffuser, or mix 1-2 drops with carrier oil and apply to the temples.
14. Peace and Calming
Peace and Calming is an oil blend (Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and Blue Tansy) helps uplift the spirit, promoting relaxation and a deep sense of peace. Apply 1-2 drops with a carrier oil on the feet morning and at bedtime, inhale for a few minutes in the morning and night or add to a diffuser at bedtime.
15. Brain Power
Brain Power is an oil blend (Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Melissa, Frankincense, Blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum) can be used to clarify thoughts and develop greater focus. Apply 1-2 drops with a carrier oil on the back of the neck in the morning and at bedtime, inhale for a few minutes in the morning and night or add to a diffuser at bedtime.
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Have you tried essential oils for focus and concentration? Don’t forget to comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see what other fun things I’m up to.
Photo credit: DepositPhotos.com / racorn
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This was the most perfect article to answer the questions I had. I’m glad I found your page. Thank you for sharing your gifts!
Hi Tracey – How long does the spray with the Witch Hazel last without growing bacteria and how will I know when it’s expired?
Thank you!
What essential oil brand would you suggest? I have spent all day researching and it can be very overwhelming. Organic or not organic? No third party? The mixture I am interested in would be for “Brain Power” for helping my Son with focusing. Also lavender for helping him sleep. Thank you in advance,
I definitely suggest Young Living. They’re the best – hands down. Just email me at tracey@dontmesswithmama.com. And yes – Brain Power as well as GeneYus and other oils can help with focus and concentration.