You don’t have to rely on caffeine for an energy boost. Here are some of the best essential oils for energy to help perk you up.
It’s race day. You’re about to try a personal best. What do you take before the race to improve your performance? Or, say you have a test coming up and you’ve got to cram. Can essential oils help you concentrate?
Well, let’s start with the first question.
There’s actually a research study that says peppermint oil can boost athletic performance.
The study was published in the International Society of Sports Nutrition. The subjects were 12 healthy male students. They consumed water with 0.05 ml peppermint essential oil for 10 days. Their blood pressure, heart rate, and different oxygen intake levels were measured using a treadmill stress test. The measurements were taken one day before and one day after the 10 days started and ended.
In summary, the researchers concluded that the data “support the effectiveness of peppermint essential oil on exercise performance.”
Peppermint oil seems to increase energy output. To explain, it is because it relaxes the smooth muscles of the lungs. It also increases brain oxygen concentration. In addition, peppermint oil decreases lactic acid levels in blood.
Essential oils for energy?
Most people associate essential oils with calmness and tranquility. In fact, you yourself might picture taking a nice bath and pouring some drops of lavender oil. Or maybe another favorite soothing, relaxation-promoting aromatherapy oil.
However, essential oils also can promote a sense of increased alertness, awareness or vitality. Here are some more oils that may provide you with more energy. They may also help you focus or concentrate:
Sweet basil, according to this research study, helps you break down blood sugar. In addition, it may help people with diabetes. As a matter of fact, if you can digest blood sugar better, you will have more energy to study and concentrate.
Essential oils for energy and motivation
One popular brand name of essential oils, Young Living, sells an oil blend called “Motivation.” Thus, if it’s increased motivation you’re seeking, let’s take a look at its ingredients:
- Chamomile
- Black spruce
- Ylang ylang
- Lavender oil
It’s interesting that this blend contains ylang-ylang. In a study that is mentioned below, ylang-ylang is said to make your memory worse.
Young Living’s main competition, Doterra, sells a very similarly named blend, Motivate. This blend includes:
- Peppermint Plant
- Clementine Peel
- Coriander Seed
- Basil Herb
- Yuzu Peel
- Melissa Leaf
- Rosemary Leaf
- Vanilla Bean
Essential oils for energy and focus
Remember that peppermint may boost athletic performance? Well, turns out it’s also effective for increasing your focus and concentration. A study in the International Journal of Neuroscience says peppermint boosts mental performance.
Researchers of this study say peppermint enhances memory. In addition, it increases alertness. On the other hand, if you love ylang-ylang, don’t use it to study for a test. In fact, the researchers claim ylang-ylang impairs memory and makes your brain process stuff slower.
There are a couple other noteworthy essential oils for energy, focus and/or memory. And these two oils have clinical research to back them up. They are rosemary and sage.
Most popular brands of essential oils have their own energizing blends. And these blends may also help you concentrate better.
Essential oil for tiredness
According to one natural health practitioner’s website, here are 5 go-to oils for fatigue and exhaustion:
- basil,
- eucalyptus,
- geranium
- peppermint
- rosemary
This analysis of basil confirms the health practitioner’s claim. Indeed, basil is in fact a mental stimulant.
Other oils to reduce tiredness include frankincense and cedarwood. Moreover, many of the oils listed above can help increase your concentration.
Essential oils are all-natural substances. However, negative side effects are possible. In fact, most common is itching and skin irritation. Before using essential oils, you may want to consult with an aromatherapist. Or, someone trained in using essential oils for therapeutic purposes.
Looking for other ways to naturally boost your energy? Check out:
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