Essential Oils for Energy and Mental Clarity
Chronic fatigue is a state many people are dealing with these days, along with adrenal fatigue, low energy, and brain fog. These conditions present themselves and are often linked with other health conditions including menopause, auto-immunity, etc that should be supported too. But luckily, I have a fix for low energy and focus issues: Essential oils!
Here are eight super safe essential oils for diffusing or inhaling, plus two more I love for adults who aren’t pregnant. Diffuse these and immediately feel more energized and focused!
Essential oils are incredible helpers for improving your emotional state, providing better mental focus, and increasing your energy levels. We all know about lifestyle changes being very helpful, and this is true, of course. But for the short-term feel better, I just love using my essential oils.
The first eight essential oils are safe for your diffuser or for inhalation for all populations. Keep in mind that people to respond differently to different scents and essential oils…so keep this in mind. It’s a great idea to start with fewer drops in your diffuser until you know how people will react. It’s easy to increase the amount if need be.
Click here to get this FREE 12 page Herbal Remedy Guide for 10 common herbs. It’s perfect for your home apothecary or kitchen!
1) Cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Cinnamon leaf essential oil is high in cinnemaldehyde and eugenol, two chemicals that are energizing and warming. These two chemicals are also the reasons why you need to take care if applying topically, and be sure to know the safe dilution ratios. But inhaling and diffusing, cinnamon leaf is just a wonderful choice.
Many of us remember the spicy scent of cinnamon in our mom’s baked goods. It’s a common ingredient in fragrances, including scented candles and air fresheners, too. For a please burst of energy, try some cinnamon leaf essential oil!
Here’s a recipe for my Peaceful Warrior handmade soap recipe that contains cinnamon and vanilla essential oil. It’s been a favorite for years!
If you’re not interested in creating your own blends, you might want to try one of my Aroma Sprays that you can just spritz into the air and inhale——Mmmmm… Here are two you may enjoy that contain cinnamon and smell incredible:
That’s Amore’ (also an aphrodisiac) and Bright and Joyful (great all the time but especially during the holidays with overtones of citrus and cinnamon). These can both be found in my natural herb and products shop, Grace Garden Apothecary.
Basil has a sharp, pungent aroma….but Basil ct. Linalool is softer and more pleasing (and safer).
2) Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is a member of the mint family and contains compounds that help with cognition and alertness. Basil is very energizing in my opinion, and I find it a little too strong. Therefore, when I use basil for energy and to help me think better, I like the chemotype “linalool.” Linalool is a chemical that calms, soothes, and uplifts at the same time. It’s pretty remarkable.
A chemotype is an essential oil type that has more of a certain chemical than normal for the plant. This difference can be due to a number of factors: where the plant is grown, the elevation, the climate, the type of soil, and even the amount of rain/snow the plant gets.
So, look for Basil ct. Linalool for a wonderful option for focus. If you can’t find it, you can use regular basil essential oil. But use the regular basil essential oil sparingly. It’s very, very powerful and can easily (and unpleasantly) take over a scent or even cause a little headache if diffused too long.
You may enjoy my Aroma Spray: My Study Buddy! The essential oils in this choice are excellent for mental clarity, focus, and concentration. Need to make a decision? Try this spray!
3) Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is such a beautiful energizing herb and essential oil, as well. It has many, many health benefits, from digestion to energy to calming inflammation to helping with cold and flu symptoms and many other things. And…it smells wonderful.
Ginger is an activating herb and essential oil, which means it enhances the actions of other essential oils (or herbs) it’s blended with.
You might enjoy these articles:
The Ultimate Guide to Ginger Essential Oil
4) Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Like ginger, black pepper has many similar qualities. It’s warming, energizing, and drying. Black pepper is called the King of Herbs in India, and indeed, in many Asian countries, black pepper is used in rather large amounts at each meal! This is because of its health benefits, in addition to the spicy flavor. I really like using black pepper in energizing blends.
Take a peak at the video below for even more ideas about essential oils and also herbs to support energy levels!
5) Eucalyptus mint (Eucalyptus dives)
Everyone is afraid of eucalyptus these days, even though it has many decades (and even centuries) of safe use. Reactions are rare, but certain people may react to a chemical it contains called 1,8-cineole. The species Eucalyptus globulus is the most common essential oil, and it’s also highest in 1,8-cineole. However, Eucalyptus dives is a great option for children and pets for diffusion in a room.
It smells soft, with overtones of peppermint. I really love this essential oil. Eucalyptus radiata is another one that many aromatherapists state is safe for children.
Now, for most adults, using Eucalyptus globulus is going to have a more profound effect on energy….but this species of Eucalyptus is a nice option to have.
6) Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Spearmint has softer overtones than peppermint and doesn’t contain the chemicals that might aggravate certain populations. It’s a wonderful substitute for peppermint, although it’s not as energizing. I love using it with children, especially.
I read a research study recently, where spearmint was combined with rosemary essential oil for patients with dementia and the results were clear: The combination improved aggression, focus, and cognitive ability.
7) Lemon (Citrus limon)
Being one of the amazing citrus essential oils, lemon is premier in my book for not only uplifting the mood, but enhancing energy levels. It also improves the actions of white blood cells, which in turn boosts your immune system. It’s quite a wonderful essential oil! It doesn’t cost very much, is quite common and easy to distill, and smells just beautiful!
You can substitute other citrus essential oils for lemon if you like. Just be sure to do a little research into any contraindications. All essential oils are different, even among families. Grapefruit, for example, may interact with certain medications.
You can learn a LOT more about specific herbs and essential oils in the Confident Herbalist Tribe, my special herbal community and group of masterclasses.
My Aroma Spray, Stayin’ Alive, contains citrus oils that not only help with focus but contain d-limonene, a chemical that helps the body activate white blood cells as needed, thereby enhancing the immune system.
You may enjoy these related articles:
Juniper berries are really little ‘cones’ on these evergreen trees.
8) Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)
Juniper berry essential oil comes from the little blue “berries,” which are really the little pine cones of the juniper tree. These aren’t your landscape junipers…these are trees and can be found in the wild in certain ecosystems. Juniper has a lovely evergreen scent, and helps with energy levels quite well.
You can find out how to make a Juniper-Rosemary Body Scrub here.
Find out How to Forage for Juniper here
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Now, here are two Bonus Essential Oils that I just love for energy, concentration, focus, and staying awake when I’m tired. These aren’t safe for everyone, so here’s a little about who to use these with, and who not to.
9) Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinale)
Rosemary is well-known for its ability to support healthy cognition and enhance memory. It’s one of the tinctures I take every day, as a matter of fact. The essential oil is incredibly energizing, and a little really does go a long way, similar to basil.
Some aromatherapists state that rosemary essential oil is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure, but Dr. Tisserand and Young in their book, Essential Oil Safety, state there is no evidence of this being true.
However, as a person who manages my own high blood pressure naturally, I can tell you that I’m a bit sensitive to rosemary essential oil. I love to use it, and I do so in small amounts and for short diffusion times. But with that said, it’s extremely helpful.
Rosemary essential oil should also be avoided by women who are pregnant and nursing.
NOTE: Rosemary essential oil is also found in my Aroma Spray, My Study Buddy!
Articles you may enjoy:
Rosemary…..
10) Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Peppermint is sharp and powerful. It contains high levels of menthol, and this is what wakes us up so well! Menthol shouldn’t be used in great amounts in children under the age of six, and this is why it’s not on the “safe” list above.
Most everyone I know loves peppermint essential oil. It’s a common flavoring in processed foods, and it grows like crazy in a wide range of habitats. This is one of the reasons why you’ll find it in all those essential oil starter kits out there! Peppermint has a wide range of uses.
It’s exceptional for soothing headaches,
Articles you may enjoy:
Final Thoughts on Using Essential Oils for Focus and Energy
I love using essential oils for all kinds of things. From flavorings to scenting a room naturally, to making body care products, cleaning, and wellness reasons, I think they’re one of our best and easiest choices to learn how to use.
The thing is, safety should absolutely be taken into consideration when it comes to using essential oils. It makes me CRAZY to see some of the recipes I find online that can be potentially harmful. It’s truly worth your time to either research on your own or find a skilled aromatherapist to ask for advice. It’s not worth taking the risk of burning yourself or otherwise harming yourself with improper use.
OK—-rant over.
I hope you find this information useful! Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel and subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips and recipes not found on my website! :-) And….bookmark this website for information on natural living with herbs and essential oils, gardening, homestead topics, and more.
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
P.S. You can get the Fall Diffuser Recipe Guide and the Winter Diffuser Recipe Guides through those links. By downloading them, you’ll be automatically added to my newsletter list. You can unsubscribe at any time, too.
Disclaimer: I’m NOT a medical doctor or mental health practitioner. I’m an herbalist and aromatherapist with years of experience. In no manner, stated or implied, is any statement I make anywhere meant to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease or illness. These statements aren’t evaluated by the FDA.