When we focus on a task, object or goal we are using our ability to concentrate. It is a crucial cognitive function for humans, but concentrating is something that can be difficult for many people.

Research indicates that concentration can be affected by many factors: nutritional deficits, dehydration, fatigue, use of drugs or substances such as alcohol, lack of sleep or circadian rhythms altered by jet lag.

Stress and anxiety also play a role, and the volume of data our brain has to process each day doesn’t help.

The advantage is that we can exercise and take care of ourselves to improve concentration and memory. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising memory, doing sports and relaxation or taking certain nutritional supplements can have positive effects on these cognitive functions.

Once we have detected what is affecting our concentration, we can also take advantage of plant substances such as caffeine, a natural stimulant, or essential oils from plants such as basil, rosemary or lavender, which reduce stress and anxiety. Using plant extracts under the control of a health professional is undoubtedly a great way to take care of our mental functions that we can incorporate into our routine as a healthy habit.

1. ROSEMARY TO SAY GOODBYE TO MENTAL FATIGUE

• Where it grows: In thickets, especially in calcareous soils.
• Properties: It is an antioxidant and brain tonic, among others.
• What is it indicated for: To increase concentration levels, and to reduce stress and mental fatigue.
• Parts we use: The leaf rich in essential oil, of very variable composition according to the terrain, the conditions where it grows and the time of harvest.
• How to use: To promote concentration, external use by inhalation of the essential oil using aromatherapy diffusers is recommended. You can also disperse a drop of the oil in the environment where you study or work to promote attention. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

2. YERBA MATE: THE STIMULANT THAT STRENGTHENS THE MIND

• Where it grows: It is part of the understory in semitropical climates.
• Properties: It contains three notorious methylxanthines, especially caffeine and to a lesser extent theobromine and theophylline, responsible for its nervous-stimulating, antidepressant and antioxidant effect.
• What is it indicated for: As a brain tonic in case of asthenia and to improve fatigue.
• Parts we use: The leaves dried quickly, with at least 1% caffeine.
• How to use: In infusion 1 g of crushed leaves per cup, up to 3-4 times a day. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, children under 12 years, diseases and therapies incompatible with caffeine, allergic to this compound or if other stimulants or tranquilizers are taken.

3. SAGE: BOOSTING INTELLECTUAL PERFORMANCE

• Where it grows: Cliffs and stony soils.
• Parts we use: The whole or shredded leaf rich in essential oil.
• Properties: Of its many virtues we highlight its antioxidant and neuroprotective action.
• What is it indicated for: To enhance brain functions. It particularly favors concentration and memory with positive effects on physical and intellectual performance.
• How to use: In infusions, although you can also buy dry and fluid extracts in herbalists and dietetics. Its use for therapeutic purposes is discouraged in people with epileptic or renal insufficiency. Also, during pregnancy and lactation and in children under 12 years.

4. RELIEVE MENTAL STRESS WITH BERGAMOT

• Where it grows: In fertile and sunny soils of temperate climates.
• Properties: The essential oil rich in limonene has calming and sedative action of the central nervous system. It is also anxiolytic and neuroprotective.
• What is it indicated for: For concentration and memory when anxiety, stress and depression affect us. According to some studies, inhaling the essential oil helps children fall asleep.
• Parts we use: The essential oil of the skin of the fruit.
• How to use: Add a drop of the essential oil in the cream or body oil to take advantage of its soothing or dispersing effect or a drop in the environment when you need. Avoid exposing yourself to the sun after contact or application, as it is photosensitizing.

5. LAUREL: HELP TO AWAKEN AND OPEN THE MIND

• Where it grows: In moist and fertile soils in warm regions.
• Properties: The essential oil is a regulator of the nervous system and by inhalation favors mental activity increasing concentration, creativity and fantasy, among other functions.
• What is it indicated for: Anxiety, depression and to stimulate mental functions. It helps with lack of concentration and difficulty memorizing due to stress.
• Parts we use: Fresh leaf essential oil.
• How to use: Disperse a drop of essential oil in the rooms where you work or study. Alternatively, use an aromatherapy diffuser. Avoid in the first trimester of pregnancy and in case of allergy or hypersensitivity to the plant.

6. GINKGO: A GOOD MEMORY PROTECTOR

• Where it grows: In sandy and fertile soils with direct sun.
• Properties: Chinese medicine has used it since ancient times as an antioxidant and neuroprotectant. It is vasodilator and favors venous tonicity and capillary resistance.
• What is it indicated for: To improve memory, concentration and other cognitive functions that deteriorate with age.
• Parts we use: Whole or crushed leaf rich in flavonoids.
• How to use: Tablets and capsules are prepared with the dry extract of the leaf, but liquid extracts and the powdered leaf are also marketed. Avoid in case of hypersensitivity to its active ingredients and in pregnancy and lactation. It rarely causes digestive discomfort.

7. MINT: A TONIC AGAINST MENTAL ASTHENIA

• Where it grows: In soils rich in nutrients and in semi-shade.
• Parts we use: The dried leaf, whole or crushed, rich in essential oil with menthol.
• Properties: It is antioxidant, tonic and general stimulant.
• What is it indicated for: For physical and mental asthenia, and to improve attention and concentration on mental tasks.
• How to use: Mix 2-3 drops of essential oil in 10 ml of almond oil and apply to wrists and temples when tiredness prevents you from concentrating. You can also disperse the aroma with a diffuser. Do not use in children under 12 years of age or people with respiratory allergies or menthol hypersensitivity. It can irritate the skin, so pure oil should not be applied.

8. NAIL TO STIMULATE CREATIVITY

• Where it grows: It is a tree native to Indonesia, sensitive to cold, and grows in soils rich in nutrients and in semi-shade.
• Properties: It tones the nervous system, helps balance the mind and stimulates creativity. Improves memory and attention.
• What is it indicated for: For lack of concentration due to stress or mental overwork. To promote mental clarity and performance in study and other jobs that call for attention.
• Parts we use: The essential oil extracted by steam dragging from the flower buds.
• How to use: In mixtures for massage or pure inhaled essential oil. Not recommended in pregnancy and lactation without medical supervision and in children under 6 years. Avoid prolonged use.

PLANTS TO PROTECT AND STIMULATE MEMORY

Memory is linked to attention, and some medicinal plants, in extract or essential oil, help to take care of it and enhance it. Inhalation is one of the best ways of applying plants if you are looking for a psychological or emotional effect such as attenuating stress and anxiety. Through smell, substances directly access certain brain areas and produce both a reaction to smell and an immediate emotional response.

Aromatherapy uses some essential oils to promote intellectual performance by attenuating factors such as anxiety and nervousness, which are counterproductive when you need to concentrate.

Difficulty maintaining attention or memorizing, however, can also be associated with age and aging. In these cases, we can take advantage of plants that favor good blood flow at the brain level or stimulate our nervous system.

OIL FOR A CLEARER MIND

If you don’t concentrate because of nerves or anxiety

• Need: Essential oil of rosemary cineole, bergamot, cloves and bay leaf, 1 drop of each, and almond or jojoba oil, 10 ml.
• How to prepare: Pour into glass jar with 10 ml dropper, lid and shake.
• Dosage: 1 drop on wrists or inhale from the bottle, every 2-3 h, up to 4 times a day. Avoid pregnancy, lactation and children under 12 years.
• Dose: Two cups a day, from nine days before the arrival of the period.

MEMORY-FRIENDLY INFUSION

It helps to maintain attention and remember.

• You need for mixing: Ginkgo (5 tablespoons), ginseng sb. (2 tablespoons), rosemary (1 tablespoon), mint (1 tablespoon), hibiscus (1 tablespoon).
• How to prepare: Mix and pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture in 250 ml of water into a pot. Heat, turn off before boiling and cover. Let stand 10 minutes before filtering.
• Dosage: 1-3 cups daily in periods of up to 2 weeks. Avoid pregnancy and lactation in children under 12 years of age.

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