Rosemary Essential Oil, A Brain Fog Fighter
Rosemary essential oil is my 5 am hero because it helps to dispel the last few traces of sleep so that I can kick start my day with clarity.
As an herb, rosemary has been a staple in cooking forever. It’s also a well-known aromatherapy oil with many health benefits. In this article, I focus on its ability to fight brain fog. We all fall victim to moments when we just can’t concentrate. Something blocks our ability to make sense of a sentence or a situation. It’s normal but very frustrating.
In Ancient Greece, scholars wore a ‘crown’ of rosemary sprigs as they studied. The Greeks and Romans believed that it improved their memory.
I don’t have a bunch of time to write. So, I wake up at 5 am and expect my brain to arise with my body but it’s a rebel. My brain will mock me and stay asleep, even after 2 cups of coffee. I may even heap the teaspoon of the second cup with a few extra granules for an added kick. This is when I reach for my bottle of rosemary essential oil and give it a good few sniffs. Just to be clear. I open the top first. Sniffing the glass bottle won’t get you anywhere.
A Few Possible Reasons for Brain Fog
I always know when a cloudy brain is going to be a problem and it's never caused by just one thing. Sometimes, I’m just stressed, and I didn’t sleep well.
· As women age, our estrogen levels drop and it can have an effect on our sleep.
· Stress is a huge factor that plagues our minds and interrupts our restful moments.
· Technology is a definite influence for me. I need to put my phone down hours before I go to bed, but I don’t.
There’s always a medication, prescription, or over-the-counter, that can help but I’m not particularly keen on taking them. So, I try to live a healthy lifestyle to get a good night’s sleep. Life has an annoying habit of getting in the way and I still have fog brain mornings.
Rosemary Essential Oil Is A Brain Fog Warrior
I’ve upgraded my bottle sniffing technique to a more refined option. I now have a nasal inhaler tucked into my pen holder on my desk. It’s loaded with rosemary essential oil and ready to deliver a dose of its fog-fighting power whenever I need it.
Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil is Backed by Science
In aromatherapy circles, we’ve known about the benefits of rosemary essential oil for some time but recently researchers have paid more attention to it. Initial studies are testing the health benefits and some have cautiously reported that it may improve brain function.
Aromatherapy is part of a field of study called phytotherapy or plant therapy. We know that fragrances, smells, or aromas trigger olfactory receptors which in turn stimulate the emotional center of our brains. Have you ever smelled something and had a sense of deja vu?
Research has found that inhaling rosemary can help prevent the breakdown of a brain chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical is responsible for the brain’s ability to learn, remember, and concentrate. Rosemary scent inhalation can also lower the stress hormone, cortisol in our blood. Cortisol concentration increases when we’re stressed.
How to Use Rosemary Essential Oil to Combat Brain Fog
In a nasal inhaler:
Nasal inhalers are available online and have a cotton center. Unscrew the top and add 20 drops of rosemary essential oil to it. You’ll need to top it up when the scent fades. Remember to change the cotton center at least every few weeks.
In the image above I was making an inhaler for nasal congestion. I included the image to demonstrate what a cotton insert looks like.
In a diffuser:
Add anywhere from 1 to 6 drops to the diffuser basin. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You must add a carrier (water), to the bowl of the diffuser before adding the essential oils.
In a bowl of water:
Add 1 to 9 drops to a bowl of warm water and place it near your workspace. Don’t use boiling water because the heat may break the oil down too fast. Warm water will allow a slower release of aroma.
In a humidifier:
Add 1 to 9 drops to your humidifier. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
In a wax warmer:
Add 1 to 2 drops to a wax warmer. Make sure that your wax is unscented to avoid any unwanted aroma combinations.
In a massage oil:
Add 5 drops of rosemary essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Massage the oil into any painful joints or muscles. Rosemary is warming, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory and can relieve painful discomforts. You cannot focus if you’re in pain. Please stop using it immediately if you have an allergic reaction on your skin.
In a spray bottle:
Add 10 drops of rosemary essential oil to 6 tablespoons (3 fluid ounces or 90 milliliters) of water and 2 tablespoons (1 fluid ounce or 30 milliliters) of vodka. You can spray your bedsheets, some silk flowers, or use it as a room spray.
Rosemary Has A Few Brain Fog Partners
I personally love the smell of rosemary, but I understand that it may not be true for everyone. There are several aromatherapy oils that complement rosemary’s aroma and add to its therapeutic power.
Basil and rosemary.
A contributing factor for brain fog could be stress and anxiety. Basil is calming and promotes mental alertness which helps with any sudden feelings of anxiety.
Citrus essential oils and rosemary.
Any citrus essential oil and rosemary will work but bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, and wild orange are my favorites. Citrus oils are uplifting and calming which is an excellent companion to rosemary’s brain fog reducer.
Lavender and rosemary.
If you are a little stressed, lavender will act as a calmative. It’s a wonderful way to start your day with calm and focus.
Peppermint and rosemary.
If I wake up with a headache, peppermint essential oil is a great option to relieve my pain while rosemary slices through my foggy morning brain. Peppermint and Rosemary work well together to keep you alert.
Eucalyptus and rosemary.
I use this blend when I’m a little congested or allergy season assaults my sinuses in the spring.
Safety Precautions with Rosemary Essential Oils
As with any essential oil, moderation is key. Rosemary essential oil has a few risks to consider before use.
Rosemary essential oil has a high camphor content. Keep rosemary essential oil away from infants and children under 10 years, particularly their faces. Their respiratory systems are still too immature to cope with the strong camphor scent.
It is not safe to use if you suffer from epilepsy.
Avoid this oil if you are pregnant or if you have high blood pressure.
The Last Word
I depend on my aromatherapy ‘world’ of essential oils to support my life. Rosemary is one of my heroes because I’ve conquered many mornings thanks to the brain fog-fighting properties that it so generously shares with me. Rosie and I are BFFs for life.
Thank you
Thank you for reading my article. I really appreciate your support and interest. To read more of my articles click here. https://medium.com/@cwstoryteller
Adapted from my article on Remedy Grove
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Another article from Celeste that you might enjoy reading.
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Sources
Wilson, Celeste. Isla Verde Spa Training Academy Certificate of Aromatherapy Course.
Wilson, Celeste. National Higher Certificate in Beauty Therapy. The Durban University of Technology.
Tisserand, Robert, and Young, Robert. 2014. Essential Oil Safety. Second Edition.
Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. 25th Anniversary Edition.
Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Fragrant Mind
Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
The National Library of Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23983963/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17011181/
Intrepid Mental Health
NAHA
https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/about-aromatherapy/what-is-aromatherapy
Health Line
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rosemary-oil-benefits
The Herb Society of America
https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/824d2982-0b7c-40d9-b3d9-9e5d823d295c
