McKenzie Leary/The Broadside
Essential oils and their have been a topic of recent research. Many scientists argue that there isn’t enough solid evidence to claim that essential oils unequivocally work, but there is anecdotal evidence that does look promising. Essential oils can be used by diffusing them, by spraying a combination of water and the essential oil in the bottle or simply by smelling them. Listed below are five essential oils students can use to help with the stressors that arise from finals week.
According to Healthline, a website that covers health related issues, rosemary is thought to help improve memory, thinking and concentration. Rosemary does so by preventing the breakdown of the chemical acetylcholine in the brain. Smelling rosemary is also thought to help reduce test anxiety because it lowers the amount of cortisol in the body.
Peppermint may be the most fitting scent for this time of year and is a useful one to diffuse when feeling fatigued. Peppermint essential oil is a stimulating essential oil that helps with mental alertness and boosting energy.
Lemon can help boost mood and brainpower, similar to peppermint. Lemon essential oil is also known to be calming. According to Healthline there has even been some promising studies showing that smelling lemon essential oil can help with symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, according to another study by Medical News Today, lemon may instead create a stressful response. Their recommendation is to use lemon in low doses for short periods of time to prevent a negative reaction from occurring.
Vanilla is another fitting scent for the holiday season. Vanilla can help boost mood, have a relaxing effect on the brain and nervous system as well as promote better sleep.
Finally, Lavender is likely the most researched essential oil out there. Lavender is most commonly known for its help with insomnia and increasing sleep quality. Lavender can also help ease anxiety and restlessness, as well as providing benefits for depression.
Essential oils are found to be more beneficial when purchasing a quality essential oil. If planning to try these essential oils during finals week look for organic or 100% pure essential oil.
