A Magical Blend of Essential Oils for Focus
Who couldn’t use a little help focusing when a project is ahead of us? This simple diffuser blend combines three essential oils for focus, memory, and clear thinking.
In fact, you may be having trouble focusing right now…so let’s get to the blend!
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In this Post:
⭐️Hocus Focus Potion Recipe
- 3 drops Rosemary camphor essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis/Salvia rosmarinus ct camphor)
- 3 drops Fragonia™ essential oil (Agonis fragrans)
- 2 drops Palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martinii var motia)
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Hocus Focus Potion is great to have available for study, work, projects, and anytime a blend of essential oils for focused attention is needed. Having a stock bottle on hand makes diffusion easy.
BONUS INHALER: You can also add 12-15 drops of this blend to an inhaler so you can have Hocus Focus Potion on hand anytime.
Get Stock Bottle Drop Counts
Here are the drop counts for a 5ml essential oil bottle. This will hold about 100 drops of essential oil (depending on the viscosity of the oil and the size of the reducer orifice).
Add your drops directly to the essential oil bottle. Then insert the reducer and cap tightly. Finally roll the bottle between the palms of your hands for at least 30 seconds. This allows the oils to fully blend with each other and it imparts a bit of your energy to the blend.
And remember: Affix a label right away!
Hocus Focus Stock Bottle
- 36 drops Rosemary camphor essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis/Salvia rosmarinus ct camphor)
- 36 drops Fragonia essential oil (Agonis fragrans)
- 24 drops Palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martinii var motia)
Why These Essential Oils for Focus?
Essential oils that are distilled from leaves are known to encourage deep breathing. This enhances oxygen supply to the body and brain. And this makes them ideal essential oils for focus and calm, clear thinking.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis/Salvia rosmarinus)
Distilled from the fragrant needle-like leaves, Rosemary essential oil is known for its ability to improve memory(1) and is one of the most common essential oils for focus and “study” blends. In fact, according to a 2017 study, school age children may experience even more significant memory enhancement when smelling rosemary than adults!(2)
In addition to reducing lethargy in body and mind, Rosemary essential oil is energetically warming, uplifting and restorative, encouraging clarity in thought.
☀️Essential Oil Spotlight: Rosemary Chemotypes
Rosemary essential oil is available in several chemotypes (chemical types) with each one rich in a different phytochemical. We’re using the camphor chemotype for this blend for its gently stimulating effect on the brain.
Rosemary also contains significant α-pinene and 1,8-cineole (sin-ee-ol) which contribute to the memory-enhancing ability of the oil.
Rosemary essential oil also comes in a chemotype that is even richer in 1,8-cineole. This can be used instead, however, the aroma will be significantly different than the original blend. I might use Rosemary ct 1,8-cineole if I needed to focus on a project and had a head cold!
And finally, you can find Rosemary in a verbenone chemotype. Rosemary ct verbenone has a softer, less intense aroma, and it’s also a wonderful essential oil for clarifying facial cleansers.
Fragonia (Agonis fragrans)
Steam distilled from the leaves of a tree grown exclusively in Australia, Fragonia essential oil acts as the synergistic bond between Rosemary and Palmarosa.
With a sweet, fruity, spicy, versatile aroma, it has a near perfect balance of the chemical constituents α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, and linalool.
Fragonia is balancing to emotions, relaxing, and encourages a positive energy―all helpful when focus is necessary. It’s also breath-opening, which aids in reducing tension.
Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii var motia)
Palmarosa essential oil is steam distilled from the stems and leaves of the tall reed-like grass. The name Palmarosa (palm rose) is indicative of the rosy aroma the plant produces. This distinctive aroma is due to the abundance of geraniol, which is also cooling to mind and emotions.
In addition to geraniol, Palmarosa essential oil contains linalool (found in Lavender) which reduces restlessness and supports adaptability. This helps us to focus on the task at hand.
🔶️Special Safety Considerations
Care must be taken when used by those with asthma. Before diffusing, smell the caps of Rosemary and Fragonia essential oils. Some may be sensitive to the 1,8-cineole content of these essential oils and may experience a tightening rather than an opening of the breath.
Blends with essential oils rich in 1,8-cineole are not for use around very small children as this phytochemical can be irritating to their tiny sensitive airways.
☀️Chemistry Spotlight: The Magic of Essential Oils for Focus
The chemical profile of Hocus Focus Potion is interesting because of the nearly identical percentage of the three main constituents:
- Geraniol is calming with a sweet, floral aroma.
- α-pinene is green and “piney” and enhances attention.
- 1,8-cineole with it’s fresh, sharp aroma is breath-opening.
The supporting phytochemicals are no less significant in their contribution to the effectiveness of this blend of essential oils for focus and attention.
- Camphor and camphene have a camphoraceous aroma which encourages deep breathing and can help reduce stress and tension.
- Linalool is softly floral and slightly spicy and reduces feelings of anxiety and stress.
While complex in chemistry and aroma, this blend has one simple intention: encourage a calm focused frame of mind.
I’d love to hear how you use Hocus Focus Potion or about what essential oils you like to use for focus. Please let us know in the comments below!
References
- Filiptsova, O.V., Gazzavi-Rogozina, L.V., Timoshyna, I.A., Naboka, O.I., Dyomina, Y.V., Ochkur, A.V. (2017). The essential oil of rosemary and its effect on the human image and numerical short-term memory. Egypt J Basic Appl Sci, 4(2): 107-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbas.2017.04.002
- Moss, M., Earl, V., Moss, L., Hefferman, T. (2017). Any sense in classroom scents? Aroma of rosemary essential oil significantly improves cognition in young school children. Adv Chem Eng Sci, 7(4):450-63. https://doi.org/10.4236/aces.2017.74032
Mom’s Hocus Focus Potion Shopping List
To make it easy to find the essential oils for Hocus Focus Potion and other essential oils for focus, memory, and concentration go to my Favorites for Energy & Focus on Amazon—featuring Plant Therapy and Edens Garden essential oils. Or check out the entire catalog of Mom’s preferred suppliers.
These are the specific oils I use for Hocus Focus Potion:
- Fragonia essential oil (Agonis fragrans):
- Aromatics International, organic💛
- Plant Therapy, sustainable (Direct)
- Edens Garden, sustainable (on Amazon).
- Palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martinii):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis / Salvia rosmarinus):
- Aromatics International, organic, Rosemary camphor and Rosemary verbenone
- Edens Garden, sustainable, “Spanish” Rosemary camphor (on Amazon)
- Plant Therapy, organic, Rosemary 1,8-cineole (Direct and Amazon).
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Chris P | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)
