Essential Oils For Energy: Boost Your Mood, Motivation, And Focus

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HealthlineSubscribe18 Essential Oils You Can Use to Boost Your Energy

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Scott Frothingham on August 20, 2019

5 backed by research
Additional oils
How to use
Risks
Takeaway

Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from plants through steam or water distillation, or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. Essential oils are most commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy. They’re typically either inhaled or diluted and applied to the skin.

There are close to 100 commonly used essential oils, each associated with certain health claims, including focus, motivation, and energy enhancement.

Keep reading to learn which oils you can use to help decrease fatigue and boost your energy levels, motivation, and focus.

5 essential oils backed by research

Some essential oils have clinical research supporting claims that they may increase energy and relieve fatigue.

Oils that decrease fatigue and increase focus include:

peppermint essential oil
sweet orange essential oil
spearmint essential oil
rosemary essential oil
lemon essential oil

Peppermint essential oil

A small 2013 study concluded that peppermint essential oil is effective for preventing fatigue and improving exercise performance.

Sweet orange and spearmint essential oils

A 2016 study concluded that the inhalation of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) essential oils could improve athletic performance.

Spearmint and rosemary essential oils

Another 2016 study (this one done on mice) found that spearmint essential oil mixed with rosemary essential oil had beneficial effects on learning and memory, as well as brain tissue markers of oxidation that occur with age.

Rosemary essential oil

A 2012 study first showed the stimulatory effects of rosemary oil and how it impacts mood states as well as brain wave activity and the autonomic nervous system.

Later, a 2018 study on school children confirmed that rosemary could help focus and memory, potentially boosting memorization in school.

Lemon essential oil

An older study in 2008 concluded that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood.

More research is needed on lemon essential oil, but traditionally the scents of citrus fruits have been thought to be uplifting.

Other essential oils that claim to boost energy levels, mood, and focus

Advocates of aromatherapy suggest that there are many essential oils that offer energy-enhancing benefits while helping to improve focus and motivation.

The following table shows which essential oils claim to boost energy, mood, or creativity. Future research will need to specify and study these claims.

Essential oil	Claimed benefits
bergamot	energizing
cinnamon	boosts energy
eucalyptus	stimulates the brain and improves energy
frankincense	balances the nervous system
French basil	stimulates the adrenal glands
ginger root	energizing
grapefruit	boosts energy
juniper berry	improves energy levels
lime	uplifts mood or motivates creativity
lemongrass	invigorates senses
pine	provides a boost of energy
thyme	increases energy and boosts spirits
wild orange	lifts mood

How do you use essential oils?

Although some advocates of essential oils mix the oils with lotions or apply them to bandages, the most common ways to use essential oils for aromatherapy is:

Direct inhalation. You can breathe in the scent of the essential oil using an individual inhaler which often includes floating drops of essential oil on hot water.
Indirect inhalation. You can also breathe in the scent by using a room diffuser to spread the scent through the air. Placing drops on a tissue or cotton ball is another way of indirect inhalation.
Massage. You can massage the diluted essential oil into your skin. Make sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil — such as coconut oil, almond oil, or avocado oil — before applying to your skin.

Essential oil best practices

Always use a carrier oil when applying essential oils topically.
Always do a patch test before applying to your skin.
Always buy 100% pure essential oils from a reputable source.
Never take essential oils by mouth unless told to do so by a healthcare professional. Many oils are toxic.

Potential risks

Health claims regarding essential oils are sometimes exaggerated, and evidence to support those claims can be lacking.

If you’re taking medications or have a serious health condition, talk to your doctor before using essential oils.

If you’re planning on using an essential oil topically, test for a possible allergic reaction by putting a drop or two on your elbow or wrist and covering the test area with a bandage. In 24 hours, if you feel itching or see redness or a rash, then the oil shouldn’t be used on your skin.

If you’re planning on using essential oils with your child, talk with your pediatrician before starting.

Lemon (and any citrus) essential oil makes your skin very sun sensitive. Don’t expose your skin to the sun if you’ve put on a citrus oil.

When diffusing essential oils into the air, consider who else might be exposed including pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with asthma, children, or pets. Some essential oils can be dangerous to certain individuals.

The takeaway

If you find yourself reaching for a cup of coffee, sugary soda, or energy drink to beat your fatigue, you might try boosting your energy with an essential oil instead. Choose from rosemary, peppermint, or lemon oil.

Discuss this with a doctor, along with other ways to address your low-energy moments. They can recommend other lifestyle choices — such as diet, sleep, and exercise — to keep your energy levels high. They can also make sure your fatigue isn’t a sign of something more serious.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Akpinar B. (2005). The effects of olfactory stimuli on scholastic performance.http://www.erc.ie/documents/vol36chp5.pdf
Aromatherapy with essential oils. (2019). https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/aromatherapy-pdq
Farr SA, et al. (2016). Effect of botanical extracts containing carnosic acid or rosmarinic acid on learning and memory in SAMP8 mice.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27527000
Filiptsova OV, et al. (2018). The effect of the essential oils of lavender and rosemary on the human short-term memory.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bafm/article/view/169943
Jaradat NA, et al. (2016). The effect of inhalation of Citrus sinensis flowers and Mentha spicata leave essential oils on lung function and exercise performance: A quasi-experimental uncontrolled before-and-after study. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0146-7
Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. (2008). Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18178322
Li Z, et al. (2017). Does the fragrance of essential oils alleviate the fatigue induced by exercise? A biochemical indicator test in rats. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.1155%2F2017%2F5027372
Meamarbashi A, et al. (2013). The effects of peppermint on exercise performance.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23517650/
Rašković A, et al. (2014). Antioxidant activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil and its hepatoprotective potential. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25002023/
Sayorwan W, et al. (2013). Effects of inhaled rosemary oil on subjective feelings and activities of the nervous system. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.3797%2Fscipharm.1209-05

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Scott Frothingham on August 20, 2019

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