There’s nothing worse than that split-second of fear and frustration when you suddenly realize that you don’t remember. This might happen for a few reasons.
Memory loss, whether long- or short-term, is a problem. In sitcoms its played for laughs, but in reality it’s a serious problem. No-one wants to go through life being that person.
If you’d like a solution, then you aren’t alone. Memory problems are an issue for thousands of people, but you don’t have to suffer. Let’s see what essential oils can do for you and your memory.
Are Essential Oils Good For Memory?
To treat the problem, the cause needs to be fixed. Are essential oils up to the task? The essential oils were chosen based on their properties and what they’ve been known to do.
Our moods can have an affect on the memories that we retain. When you’re in a bad mood, you’re less likely to process events properly. It may be a good idea to use an essential oil that improves your mood.
Improving your focus will improve your memory. Many people use essential oils because they say that it helps them concentrate.
Some emotional disorders also take their toll on memories. While there is no one cure to most emotional disorders, the essential oils on this list have been known to bring some comfort.
Sometimes trying to peer through the haze of brain fog means that we don’t remember what we should, therefore we included essential oils known for bringing about mental clarity.
Best Essential Oils for Memory
1. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
In some ways, the ancients were wiser than modern man. The ancient Romans and Greeks prized rosemary as a memory-enhancing plant.
In recent times, studies have found that rosemary essential oil can help to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine which is a brain chemical that is vital for thinking, concentration, and memory retention.
Another enemy of memory is stress. Rosemary oil has been known to help soothe anxiety, and have calming effects on people. This could be an immense help during stressful situations such as tests and exams.
If you’re feeling mentally drained, then your brain won’t feel up to making new memories. This stands to reason that if you feel more energetic, then you could concentrate better. In some folk remedies, rosemary is prescribed to cure fatigue and mental strain. Today, many people use Rosemary oil to feel more alert and energetic.
Sound good? Here’s how to use it. Simply inhaling the oil straight from the bottle provides a bunch of benefits. Just pop the lid and breathe deeply, enjoy!
2. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint essential oil has long been said to help with stress relief. By just inhaling the oil, some say that they feel a lot more relaxed. Since stress is an enemy of focus, using Peppermint oil can contribute to this factor of memory retention.
Although there’s not a lot of scientific studies to suggest that it should be used alone for memory enhancement peppermint has been known to improve focus and attention.
That, coupled with the fact that it may have mood enhancing properties, makes it a worthy addition to this list. To get the most memory improving benefits, try using it with Rosemary oil.
Diffuse peppermint – not only will your home smell minty-fresh, your brain will feel fresh too.
3. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is said to be a natural stimulant that works on the nervous system and adrenal cortex, this means that it has been known to fight fatigue and promote mental alertness, which makes for better memories.
The oil centers around upliftment and renewal, which anyone who suffers from anxiety will find encouraging. For centuries, people have used basil oil to calm overwhelmed minds. Many say that breathing in the soothing scent helps to calm their minds. Once your mind is calm, you can focus on what needs to be done.
Mix a drop or two with half a teaspoon of carrier oil and massage onto your wrists. This way you can smell it whenever you need a pick-me-up.
4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
The ancient Egyptians recognized Lavender as a special plant. They used it for perfume and in their sacred mummification rites. But even they couldn’t have known just how special the oil is.
Many sufferers of PTSD and depression find that Lavender has had some helpful effects on their disorders. More importantly in this context, some studies have shown that the oil can help improve cognitive impairment.
Use 5 drops along with a teaspoon carrier oil as a natural deodorant during the day
5. Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides)
Vetiver is such a great plant that not one piece goes to waste, in fact, its roots have been used since ancient times. While we don’t have to go digging it up by the roots to get what we want, it’s still a good oil to have around.
The oil is especially popular among people who suffer from mental fatigue and depression. They say that it helps them to calm down and feel a little bit better. Another great thing about Vetiver is that it smells amazing.
If nothing else, at least your house will smell like you spent all day cleaning. Who doesn’t love that?
Make a pillow spritzer by combining 30 ml distilled water, 30 ml witch hazel and 20 drops vetiver. Sleep well and awake fresh!
6. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
The Thyme plant emits a woody, aromatic scent that entices the senses. You could plant it in your garden or keep it around the house, it does wonders for mental wellbeing.
We’re not looking at the plant though, for now we’re focusing on the oil and what it can do for you. As mentioned before, it has a woody aromatic scent that makes any space smell like a nursery. Many people feel that the smell calms them. Of course it would, it’s like taking a walk through a forest.
A calmer mind means that you can focus on what’s important. You’re also less likely to forget where you plonked your keys.
Add a drop of oil to a tablespoon of milk, and add it to your warm bath. Inhaling the scent should do all that it needs to do
Note: The oil might also act on estrogen, so a condition that is worsened by estrogen might be worsened by the oil
7. Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis)
This oil might just bring back memories of orange juice at breakfast, or any other citrus-y scented memories locked in your brain. Since unlocking memories is what we’re after, let’s see what else the oil can do.
Orange oil might bring back some happy memories. Oranges do have a positive smell, which is what makes it so popular in aromatherapy. Many people find that it lifts their moods and calms them down.
Besides that, some studies have shown that orange oil might be able to help improve cognitive function in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Diffuse it around the house to spread the positive smell.
Essential Oils For Memory Recipes
Bath Salts
- 4 drops cypress
- 1 drop peppermint
- 3 cups of Himalayan salt
- 1 tbsp jojoba oil
- Solubilizer (Solubol)
Add carrier oil, essential oil, and solubilizer and mix well in a small bowl. Add the salts, mix well and store in an airtight container. After a day, open and mix again. It should now be good to go.
Diffuser Blend
- 2 drops basil
- 4 drops rosemary
- 4 drops cypress
Mix the oils together and store in a small glass bottle. Roll the bottle between your hands to mix the oils properly. Add the appropriate amount to you diffuser, and diffuse it!
Massage Oil
- 3 drops lemon
- 2 drops of hyssop
- 1 oz Almond oil
Mix the oils well and store in a small glass bottle and take it out when you need a massage. This recipe can be doubled or tripled.
Air Freshener
- 4 drops Peppermint
- 6 drops Lemon
- 1.3 oz distilled water
Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Don’t use a pre-used bottle, since it might have a negative effect on the ingredients.
To Summarize
- Improving concentration, mental fatigue, mood and reducing stress should help with memory problems.
- We look at the benefits of rosemary, peppermint, basil, lavender, vetiver, thyme and orange to see how they can improve memory, and include a usage tip for each.
- There are recipes for bath salts, air freshener, massage oil, and a diffuser blend that will make using the essential oils easier.
Read more:
