This post contains affiliate links to Plant Therapy. Plant Therapy is a brand of essential oils I personally use and love (I’m not sponsored by them). Other quality brands I use and trust include Mountain Rose Herbs and Aura Cacia. This post is helpful in making your own decision about what brand to buy (there are many quality ones out there!).
Before we get to my favorite essential oil blend for focus, I highly recommend you read this blog post on the topic. It explains the “why” behind the particular essential oil choices below. It also goes into the broader picture: How does aromatherapy even help with work productivity, studying, and overall focus in the first place?
My Go-To Essential Oil Blend for Focus
This is a study blend recipe from Valerie Cooksley, RN, OCN, FAAIM, my mentor during the IIA certification course to become an aromatherapist. I love it and use it as a base, tweaking the ratios and essential oils depending on the day, circumstances, or time of year. Let’s start with the base recipe then I’ll go into all the ways I like to customize.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 drops Lemon
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 1 drop Basil
- 1 drop Peppermint
DIRECTIONS
I typically put 10 drops of essential oils in my diffuser. If you want a subtler scent though, you could always use fewer, keeping the ratios the same. If you’re going to use 10 drops, simply add them to the diffuser along with water to the designated fill line.
You could also make a bigger batch ahead of time, to have your Work/Study blend ready to go. Use the same ratios, increasing drop numbers to accommodate the small jar you’re using. Shake well.
For more information on shelf life and properly storing essential oils, check out this post.
More is not more when it comes to essential oils. You want a subtle—not overpowering—aroma. If your diffuser has an intermittent setting use that. I like to diffuse (on intermittent) for 10-15 minutes and then shut it off for the rest of the hour. Continuing like that throughout the work day.
If you don’t have a diffuser …
If you don’t have a diffuser (or just don’t want to/can’t set one up at your work place), you can make a room mist in a small spray bottle. Add 10 drops (the above recipe) to 2 oz of distilled water. Shake the spray bottle well before spritzing into the air around you as you deeply inhale. Do this periodically throughout the work day as needed (a single spray or two is all you need!).
If you want to be even more subtle, you can place a couple drops of your blend on a tissue or cotton ball and inhale the scent that way. If you choose to go this route, I’d make a bigger batch of your blend, keeping the ratios in tact. So 50% Lemon, 30% Rosemary, 10% Peppermint, 10% Basil in a small jar. You easily can bring the little vile to work and dispense a couple drops of it on a tissue as needed.
Safety Considerations
- Basil – Avoid during pregnancy/when lactating. It’s preferable to use the linalool chemotype of Basil, which is what’s linked to throughout this post.
- Peppermint – Peppermint shouldn’t be used on kids under two years old (strong menthol vapors can inhibit respiration in young kids). It appears in very low concentration in this blend, but still, I’d eliminate it if you’re working from home with a toddler next to your desk.
- Rosemary – Avoid during pregnancy and if epileptic.
How I Tweak the Recipe
Peppermint and Basil have a strong odor intensity, and are therefore used in small quantities in the above recipe. However if I’m feeling particularly tired, I like a little more oomph and will tweak the ratios for more of a pick-me-up:
- 5 drops Lemon
- 3 drops Peppermint
- 1 drop Basil
- 1 drop Rosemary
During the winter months, I like to use Eucalyptus instead of Peppermint because it’s so great for congestion and the general cold & flu season. I’ll keep the same higher ratio as above, but keep in mind that Vicks VapoRub-esque smell will be strong. Simply use fewer drops of Eucalyptus if it’s too much. (Peppermint is good for cold & flu season, too, but Eucalyptus is especially a star).
- 5 drops Lemon
- 3 drops Eucalyptus
- 1 drop Basil
- 1 drop Rosemary
Synergy Blend Considerations – Customize Your Essential Oil Blend for Focus Further
Let’s circle back to the bigger picture considerations I mentioned in my first post on the topic. What’s really causing your lack of productivity or inability to focus? Maybe you’re feeling stressed. High stress-hormone levels have been linked to decreased memory, so considering adding essential oils known for combating stress into your work/study blend. (So much of modern day ailments come back to stress—don’t underestimate its effect on your overall wellbeing and functioning!)
Essential Oils for Stress
- Basil – Also highlighted above!
- Bergamot
- Chamomile
- Geranium
- Juniper – Also highlighted above!
- Lavender – In addition to stress management, a 2005 study showed that inhaling Lavender during work breaks helped prevent deterioration of concentration and work productivity.
- Lemongrass – Also highlighted above!
- Marjoram
- Neroli
- Sandalwood
One of my favorite blends to diffuse when I’m working and feeling a little anxious or stressed is the following:
- 4 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Basil
- 3 drops Lemon
It’s a calming but uplifting scent. I also have a room spray mist for nervous anxiety that I love to spritz into the air around me throughout the day that’s similar to the above: 5 drops Lavender and 5 drops Basil in 2 oz of distilled water. Shake well before spraying.
Uplifting Essential Oils
Maybe you’re feeling down or depressed, and that’s making it hard to get any work down. Consider adding some uplifting essential oils frequently used for depression.
Pre-Made Blends You Can Buy
Now that I’ve given you all the information you need to make your essential oil blend for focus at home … I sadly must be real here. Any time I post essential oil blend recipes, I get the same overwhelming response. Ok that’s awesome but … can’t you just make the blend for me? Can’t I just buy it already made?
And I get it. I feel the same way when bloggers share DIY tutorials for making your own almond milk at home. Sounds great—no really, it does—but … how about I just go ahead and buy some from Whole Foods lol.
Plant Therapy has a few essential oil blends that are made with productivity and focus in mind. All contain at least a couple of the essential oils I’ve highlighted in this post. I’d recommend looking into the following:
- Focus – Made with Lemon, Rosemary, Lavender, Fir, Basil, and Coffee Arabica Seed Oil.
- Clarity – Made with Bergamot, Basil Linalool, Lemon, and Grapefruit.
- Brain Aid – Made with Grapefruit Pink, Bergamot, Palmarosa, Juniper Berry, Basil Linalool, Lemon, Rosemary 1,8 Cineole, Peppermint, May Chang, and Star Anise.
xo Nicole
The statements and blends referenced in this post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and/or information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, consult with your physician before using any essential oil or blend.
I’m a Certified Holistic Aromatherapist through the Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy. Any facts stated in this post that aren’t accompanied by a direct reference came from my course materials and studies. I only share blends with you that I’ve personally used and from which I’ve benefited. I stand behind them 100%! That being said, essential oil blends are most effective when made with the individual in mind. What works well for one person, may not have the same outcome for another.
The Focus blend sounds amazing! Definitely need to try that one!