Focus and mental clarity are two commodities we never seem to have enough of. No matter how hard we try to will ourselves to focus, a little extra help is always welcome. Though there are lots of productivity hacks and tools you can use to help, don’t underestimate the power of plants and their superpowers.

Aromatherapy is a great tool for stimulating your mind and helping it engage.

Many plants have been studied for:

• enhancing focus
• Improving concentration
• Increasing mental stamina
• Setting a positive mindset

Let’s take a look at some of the best plants for this:

Peppermint

Commonly used for its energizing properties, peppermint is minty and fresh. Research has shown that it decreases daytime sleepiness, improves brain function, boosts mood, decreases headache symptoms, and can aid in comprehension skills. All of these effects can be helpful for improving focus and mental clarity. Learn More

Rosemary

Known as a great plant for improving concentration and memory, studies with rosemary have shown it to be a great tool for learning. It is known to decrease test-taking anxiety, increase cognitive performance, improve comprehension and memory, ease stress, and improve brain function. Interestingly, rosemary has also been linked to decreasing anxiety in Alzheimer's patients. Overall, rosemary is an excellent plant for getting work done. Learn More

Cedarwood

Cedarwood is traditionally used as a calming aid and has been scientifically shown to have anti-anxiety effects. Mood and mindset are large components of effective learning. Cedarwood is a plant that can help you reset your mindset before studying. Learn More

Copaiba 

Primarily used for reducing inflammation and pain, copaiba is a powerful way to calm. Addressing other distractions in our body, such as discomfort, can help our minds to be tuned into the mental task we are working towards. Learn More

Lavender

Similar to Cedarwood, Lavender has scientifically been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Many studies have been completed around the use of Lavender to calm students with academic stress that showed it to be highly effective in this application. Learn More

Lime

Another plant that systematically calms your body, Lime is good for helping eliminate stress and boost overall mood. It has been shown to be good for heart health, is an effective antioxidant, has anti-cancer activity, and helps relax muscles and tension. Learn More

Vetiver

Traditionally used for easing anxiety, reducing nervousness, and regulating emotions. Vetiver can help you reset your mindset and focus on your task. 

All of these plants are a part of our Cocoa Mint Cores, making them an effective companion in your learning routines. These Cores, while also creating a sweet, minty, and absolutely delicious flavor, also bring science-backed benefits of the plants together. Primarily for the purpose of flavor, Cocoa Mint Cores also include Ocotea and Vanilla Planifolia. Together, these plants create a full, minty flavor with notes of deep, vanilla chocolate. 

Take your studies to the next level with the power of super plants. 

Cocoa Mint Cores

Price: $8.50 USD

Buy Now

References

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Göbel, H., Schmidt, G., Dworschak, M., Stolze, H., & Heuss, D. (1995). Essential plant oils and headache mechanisms. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2(2), 93–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80053-X Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23196150/ 

McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy research : PTR, 20(8), 619–633. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1936 Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16767798/ 

Kennedy, D., Okello, E., Chazot, P., Howes, M. J., Ohiomokhare, S., Jackson, P., Haskell-Ramsay, C., Khan, J., Forster, J., & Wightman, E. (2018). Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function. Nutrients, 10(8), 1029. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081029 Retrieved from  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30087294/ 

Moss, M., Hewitt, S., Moss, L., & Wesnes, K. (2008). Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. The International journal of neuroscience, 118(1), 59–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450601042094 retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18041606/ 

Zhang, K., & Yao, L. (2018). The anxiolytic effect of Juniperus virginiana L. essential oil and determination of its active constituents. Physiology & behavior, 189, 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.01.004 Retrieved from  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29326032/ 

Hebert, P., Barice, E. J., Park, J., Dyess, S. M., McCaffrey, R., & Hennekens, C. H. (2017). Treatments for Inflammatory Arthritis: Potential But Unproven Role of Topical Copaiba. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 16(2), 40–42. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30881236/ 

Lehrner, J., Marwinski, G., Lehr, S., Johren, P., & Deecke, L. (2005). Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiology & behavior, 86(1-2), 92–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.06.031 Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16095639/ 

McCaffrey, R., Thomas, D. J., & Kinzelman, A. O. (2009). The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students. Holistic nursing practice, 23(2), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181a110aa Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19258850/ 

Ahmad, R., Naqvi, A. A., Al-Bukhaytan, H. M., Al-Nasser, A. H., & Baqer Al-Ebrahim, A. H. (2019). Evaluation of aromatherapy with lavender oil on academic stress: A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. Contemporary clinical trials communications, 14, 100346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100346 Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6431726/ 

Boshtam, M., Moshtaghian, J., Naderi, G., Asgary, S., & Nayeri, H. (2011). Antioxidant effects of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) juice and peel extract on LDL oxidation. Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 16(7), 951–955. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22279465/ 

Narang, N., & Jiraungkoorskul, W. (2016). Anticancer Activity of Key Lime, Citrus aurantifolia. Pharmacognosy reviews, 10(20), 118–122. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.194043 Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28082795/  

Boshtam, M., Asgary, S., Moshtaghian, J., Naderi, G., & Jafari-Dinani, N. (2013). Impacts of fresh lime juice and peel on atherosclerosis progression in an animal model. ARYA atherosclerosis, 9(6), 357–362. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24575139/ 

Spadaro, F., Costa, R., Circosta, C., & Occhiuto, F. (2012). Volatile composition and biological activity of key lime Citrus aurantifolia essential oil. Natural product communications, 7(11), 1523–1526. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23285822/ 

Moss, M., & Oliver, L. (2012). Plasma 1,8-cineole correlates with cognitive performance following exposure to rosemary essential oil aroma. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 2(3), 103–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125312436573 Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23983963/ 

McCaffrey, R., Thomas, D. J., & Kinzelman, A. O. (2009). The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students. Holistic nursing practice, 23(2), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181a110aa Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19258850/ 

Hasselmo M. E. (2006). The role of acetylcholine in learning and memory. Current opinion in neurobiology, 16(6), 710–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2006.09.002 Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17011181/

Jimbo, D., Kimura, Y., Taniguchi, M., Inoue, M., & Urakami, K. (2009). Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease. Psychogeriatrics : the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, 9(4), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8301.2009.00299.x Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20377818/ 

Sayorwan, W., Ruangrungsi, N., Piriyapunyporn, T., Hongratanaworakit, T., Kotchabhakdi, N., & Siripornpanich, V. (2013). Effects of inhaled rosemary oil on subjective feelings and activities of the nervous system. Scientia pharmaceutica, 81(2), 531–542. https://doi.org/10.3797/scipharm.1209-05 Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3700080/ 

Saiyudthong, S., Pongmayteegul, S., Marsden, C. A., & Phansuwan-Pujito, P. (2015). Anxiety-like behaviour and c-fos expression in rats that inhaled vetiver essential oil. Natural product research, 29(22), 2141–2144. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.992342 Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25553641/