Banish Morning Drag with my Best Essential Oils for Energy
It seems like I’m hearing more often these days that people are having a hard time getting started with their day. They’re feeling groggy and sluggish in the mornings, reaching for an additional jolt of caffeine just to make to to lunch. I’m a big believer in using effective blends of essential oils to start my day. I find that when I use aromatherapy consistently, I can focus better, I feel better…and I’m less apt to nod off in the middle of writing a blog post!
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Make Your Morning Prime Time for Aromatherapy
Our sense of smell is intricately linked to the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotions, memory, and alertness. When we inhale the aromas of essential oils, the molecules travel directly to the limbic system, triggering a cascade of emotional and physical effects.
Research also indicates that our circadian rhythm directly impacts our ability to detect aromas, with that ability at its lowest in the early morning.[1] This is why that strong cup of coffee smells so good! So, we’ll start our day with powerful aromas that break through that circadian rhythm barrier. We’ll create a blend of some of the best essential oils for boosting mental energy levels, sharpening focus, and elevating mood.
Best Essential Oils for an Energizing Start
Nature provides an wide selection of essential oils specifically suited for a productive morning. Here are three of my favorites:
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis / Salvia rosmarinus)
Known for its memory-enhancing properties, Rosemary essential oil is a powerful ally for tackling that morning to-do list. Studies have shown that Rosemary is one of the best essential oils for improving cognitive function and alertness. In addition to enhancing alertness, Rosemary essential oil also, interestingly enhances our feeling of contentedness.[2][3]
As far back as the Ancient Egypt, Rosemary has been considered a sacred protective plant with a myriad of uses ranging from fumigation to easing headache.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
This invigorating essential oil is a well-known aromatherapy stimulant. The menthol content in Peppermint essential oil activates the olfactory receptors, sending a jolt of freshness to the brain, enhancing our ability to focus and boosting our mood.[4]
Peppermint’s botanical name, Mentha, comes from the Latin mente, meaning “thought,” because early Romans valued it for its cleansing, tonic effect on the brain.
Lemon (Citrus x limon)
This sunshine in a bottle is an excellent mood-booster. Lemon essential oil’s uplifting aroma promotes feelings of optimism and reduces fatigue.
☀️ Essential Oil Spotlight: Lemon the Brain Wave Activator
Our brains use a variety of brain waves to carry out various mental tasks. Slower brain waves (delta, theta, and alpha) are particularly important for memory functions.
The prefrontal cortex, located at the front of the brain, acts as a control center for abilities like focusing attention, holding information in mind, and encoding experiences to be remembered later.
Active slower delta and theta waves in prefrontal areas help our brains select and maintain information. Alpha waves also seem to aid in determining what gets encoded into our memories.
In a 2023 study, researchers found that inhaling Lemon essential oil caused an increase in these slower brain waves, especially in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, an area crucial for memory processing.[5]
Inhalation of Lemon essential oil improves memory performance by boosting our brain’s control of attention and improving the active holding of and encoding of information into memory. This may explain why participants showed enhanced memory function after breathing the aroma of lemon.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the essential oil options out there?
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⭐️Morning Lemon Aid Essential Oil Blend
- 4 drops Lemon essential oil (Citrus x limon)
- 3 drops Rosemary ct 1,8-cineole essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis / Salvia rosmarinus)
- 1 drop Peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita)
Diffuse this first thing in the morning as you prepare for the day. It’s an easy way to use aromatherapy to jump-start your sense of smell and your mental energy!
References
- Herz, R.S., Van Reen, E., Barker, D.H., Hilditch, C.J., Bartz, A.L., Carskadon, M.A. (2018). The influence of circadian timing on olfactory sensitivity. Chem Senses, 43:45-51. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjx067
- Moss, M., Cook, J., Wesnes, K., Duckett, P. (2003). Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. Int J Neurosci, 113:15-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450390161903
- Kennedy, D.O. (2019). Phytochemicals for improving aspects of cognitive function and psychological state potentially relevant to sports performance. Sports Med, 49 (Suppl 1):539-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-1007-0
- Moss, M., Hewitt, S., Moss, L., Wesnes, K. (2008). Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. Int J Neurosci, 118(1):59-77. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450601042094
- Ueda, K., Horita, T., Suzuki, T. (2023). Effects of inhaling essential oils of Citrus limonum L., Santalum album, and Cinnamomum camphora on human brain activity. Brain Behav, 13(2):e2889. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2889
📌Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Pins
Mom’s Shopping List of Morning Lemon Aid Essential Oils
These are my favorite suppliers for the essential oils in Morning Lemon Aid:
- Lemon essential oil (Citrus x limon):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Edens Garden, sustainable (on Amazon)
- 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).
- Peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Aromatics International‘s Peppermint hydrosol is cooling to skin and can be added to beverages!
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 >>)
