Essentials of Memory and Concentration

School is just around the corner, now is the time to learn and take advantage of the beneficial properties of essential oils as a tool for promoting better memory, focus and concentration.  Essential oils are not only effective for school students; they can be very beneficial in your day to day work routine, allowing you to better recall information, events and promoting a clearer mind in order to accomplish your goals.

Essential oils have direct access to the brain through the blood brain barrier; a protective element designed to keep the brain environment healthy and stable.  The key chemical components of essential oils interact with certain parts of the brain in order for them to effectively work within the body.  When the aroma of the essential oil is inhaled, it works with the hippocampus; part of the limbic system responsible for the formation of memories and their storage and organization.  This limbic system structure is important because it creates new memories and connects or links these newly formed memories to emotions and sensory stimuli such as smell.  This is one reason why the human sense of smell is linked to specific personal memories.

There are certain essential oils which work best for stimulating areas of the brain for focus, memory retention and retrieval.   Peppermint has been studied extensively and proven to be an effective component in the recall of information stored in the memory cells of the brain.  Lemon, as well as grapefruit, is also good for promoting the recall of information.

Almost everyone is familiar with the culinary herb rosemary and the distinct flavor it imparts to foods.  Not only does this herb taste good, it is also a huge player in stimulating brain function.   Rosemary contains a chemical called 1,8-cineole and researchers from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom linked this chemical to brain performance;  their study was published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.

The research involved 20 people, exposing them to different aromatic levels of rosemary essential oil.  Blood samples were taken to test the levels of 1,8-cineole absorbed in each person’s body.  The participants then took testing of speed, accuracy and mood in order to obtain statistics as to whether the oil had any effects on the individuals in these specific testing areas.    The study found that the more present 1,8-cineole was in the bloodstream, the better the performance of the individual in the areas of speed and accuracy.  Rosemary oil affected mood at only a small scale.

Essential oils have collective benefits if used for memory needs over time.  Use them to enhance recall, increase focus and boost concentration effectively and safely when studying or helping to retain information on the job.