5 Essential oils that are highly beneficial for your brain
It's well-known that a healthy lifestyle
plays a very important role in brain health. However, at the same time,
essential oils are also very beneficial for brain power.
Herbal practitioners, as well as modern medicine, have acknowledged the
benefits different essential oils give to the brain. These oils can help
with different cognitive problems such as mental fatigue, low clarity,
poor intellectual performance, impaired concentration, poor memory
recall, and impaired memory, to name but a few.
These oils are mostly used in aromatherapy. The reason for this is
because smell is the strongest of our senses and is best able to
influence brain activity. However, before learning how essential oils
can be used to boost your brain power, it's important to know which
essential oils are the best for this purpose.
Therefore, below you can find the best essential oils for brain health.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil has calming and
relaxing properties that will help put your nervous system in a
parasympathetic rest-and-digest state. This soothing effect helps to
relieve nervous tension and depression. To add to this, it also gives a
boost to cognitive abilities.
Research has found that those who are exposed to the smell of lavender
essential oil are more relaxed and less depressed, and are able to
perform math computations faster and more accurately.
2. Rosemary Essential Oil
This essential oil works as an effective cognitive stimulant, thus
helping to improve memory and mental focus. A major component of
rosemary essential oil is 1,9-Cineole, which has been shown to boost
memory. Furthermore, the smell of essential oil may help enhance
prospective memory, which is the ability to remember upcoming events in
order to complete future tasks.
It's also very good at increasing brain-wave activities and protecting
against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
3. Lemon Essential Oil
This strong smelling essential oil is highly beneficial for brain
health. The strong scent helps to promote concentration and helps to
calm your mind when you're feeling anxious, angry, or run down. It can
even help to reduce stress. Furthermore, this essential oil inhibits
enzymes that are linked to neurodegenerative conditions.
4. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil stimulates the
mind to support memory, concentration, focus, and mental performance. To
add to this, it has a soothing and cooling effect that promotes
relaxation and clear thinking. The scent of this essential oil also
stimulates the areas of the brain that are responsible for alertness.
5. Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon essential oil can help to fight mental fatigue and improve
brain function related to working memory, visual motor speed, virtual
recognition memory, and attention. Furthermore, it helps to break up any
brain plaque and reduce any inflammation that could eventually lead to
memory issues. At the same time, it is very effective at
preventing/delaying the symptoms of Alzheimer's.
How to Use the Aforementioned Essential Oils to Improve Brain Health
There are many different ways in which you can use the powerful aroma of
these essential oils to improve brain power and boost your mental
health. The six best methods can be found below.
1. Handkerchief Method
This is the simplest method. You just need to place 2-3 drops of the
essential oil of your choice onto a handkerchief and sniff it
occasionally. You can also place the handkerchief near your pillow
before going to sleep. This way you can enjoy the benefits of the
essential oil even when you're sleeping.
2. Pot and Water Method
Another method you can use is the pot and water method. Simply:
1. Place some water in a small pot.
2. Add 6-7 drops of your preferred essential oil.
3. Allow the water to boil.
4. Turn down the heat and keep the pot on the burner for a couple of
minutes to allow the essential oil to evaporate into the air.
3. Aromatherapy Bath/Massage
For an aromatherapy bath:
1. Mix 3 drops of your preferred essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier
oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or sweet almond oil).
2. Add this oil blend to a bathtub filled with water and mix thoroughly
using your hand.
3. Enjoy this relaxing bath for 15-20 minutes, a couple of times a week.
For an aromatherapy massage:
1. Place 2 tablespoons of carrier oil like sweet almond oil into a bowl.
2. Mix 10-12 drops of your preferred essential oil to the bowl.
3. Massage your forehead, temples, and/or back of the neck with this
solution.
4. Do this a few times per week.
Note: Don't get any of the oil into your eyes.
4. Homemade Solid Perfume Method
You can improve your mental power by blending some essential oils into
solid perfumes. You can use a mixture of different essential oils or
choose just the one depending on your preference.
Method:
1. Open a container of any commercial solid perfume or homemade solid
perfume.
2. Put a few drops of essential oil on the top of it.
3. Close the lid properly.
4. Whenever you require it, just dab a small bit of the perfume on your
temples.
5. Mister Method
You can also get the benefits of
aromatherapy by creating a mister.
Method:
1. Add 1-6 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with
distilled water.
2. Give it a good shake and spray the oil-infused water in and around
your surroundings.
3. Use it when needed and change frequently.
6. Candle Diffuser Method
Before using this method, you must buy a candle diffuser. These are
readily available on the market - you can try any shop that sells
essential oils.
Method:
1. Put water on the top bowl of the candle diffuser and then add a few
drops of essential oil to it.
2. Light a tea light underneath so that the heat evaporates the
essential oil into the air around you.
Note: Essential oils can be flammable, so be careful when using this
method.
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