Essential Oils and the Brain

Improve Mental Clarity and Focus, Thinking, Learning and Test Scores
Mar 17, 2008 Victoria Anisman-Reiner

Essential oils can improve thinking by carrying oxygen to the brain and stimulating brain centers for learning - improving writing, work, and test marks.

Fragrances have the power to affect mood, emotions, and our impressions of the people and places around us. Scents can be comforting, enticing, exciting, or depressing and unpleasant. Is it any wonder, then, that the sense of smell has the ability to heal the brain and improve mental focus? Essential oils such as frankincense, peppermint, rosemary and vetiver have been shown to clear the mind and improve test scores, writing, and productivity.

How Essential Oils Feed the Brain
Essential oils nourish many of the body's systems by carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the cells. The cells of the brain are no different than others in this regard. Essential oils contain a mixture of both large and small compounds – molecules small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain itself.

Essential oils may be an invaluable tool for cleansing toxins and heavy metals, such as aluminum, that lodge in the brain and contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer's.

They also trigger areas in the brain (e.g. the amygdala) that relate to the emotions – the parts of the brain that store trauma and pleasure, as well as memory. This is why essential oils can be used in therapy to help release fears and change belief systems. It also explains why smelling the same oil while studying and writing a test helps with recall of information.

Essential Oils for Better Learning
Almost any essential oil can help with learning and studying skills, depending on your needs: most oils have either stimulating or sedative properties, either refreshing the mind or calming those who are worried about their performance. Be aware, however, that results will vary greatly with the quality of the essential oils used – adulterated oils (poorly pressed, or with junk chemicals added) can make people feel drowsy or distracted.

The highest theraputic grade I have found and use daily is the brand do-Terra. Contact Kimberly Gingras for more info or for a free essential oil gift at kimberlycbg@yahoo.com