Mindte 1

Taylor Mindte

Mrs. Stevens

Physical Science

12 December 2018

Which Essential Oil Is Best for Studying? (rosemary, wild orange, lavender)

Have you ever been distracted from studying and just can’t focus? Well if you have been,

then I have something that may help with that. If you diffuse certain essential oils with a diffuser,

then they could help you focus. In this experiment, I was trying to figure out which essential oil

would be best for studying in these situations. I thought that ​if people study a passage and take a

test with either rosemary, wild orange, or lavender essential oil being diffused into the air, then

lavender essential oil will be the best for studying.

What Are Essential Oils And How Are They Used?

Essential oils are “natural aromatic compounds found in parts of plants” (Bartz). Unique

compounds give each essential oil in the world their own source of essence from the plant they

come from. The compounds consist of the scent or flavor that is also taken from the plant (West).

These oils are used in many different ways. They can be diffused into the atmosphere with the

help of a diffuser. Also, they can be topically applied, or applied to your skin. There are also

sometimes where you can take them in internally. (Bartz)

How Is Each Essential Oil Made?

Essential oils can be made by distillation, espression, enfleurage, solvants, and carbon

dioxide. The process of distillation is most common and produces the most pure oils. Through

distillation, plants are put over boiling water and steam is produced. The steam that comes from
 Mindte 2

the plants pulls the oils out of the plant. It is then captured by a vessel, then pulled through

tubing. It gets cooled and turns back into a liquid. Because water and essential oils won’t mix,

they are seperated. The essential oil is then collected (Keville).

What Benefits Do Each Essential Oil Have?

When essential oils are diffused or inhaled, they can give you a better vibe or atmosphere

and boost your mood. Certain oils, such as lavender, help with relaxing and sleeping. They can

also minimize irritation and/or inflamation on your skin. Different oils can prevent certain

illnesses and boost your immune system by using antifungal, antibacterial, and inflammatory

properties. Oils are safer to use than candles or incense when being diffused or applied too.

When oils are being used, they make the air smell fresher opposed to candles (Scott).

Have Essential Oils Been Proven to Work?

Research on essential oils have been shown with positive effects on health concerns that

include stress, pain, depression and more. Tea tree oil has been proven to help treat acne when

compared to benzoyl peroxide. Lavender oil is claimed to help with many issues including

depression, anxiety, and restlessness. But, “there is little scientific evidence of lavender’s

effectiveness for most health uses,” says the NIH. ​“Dr. Wolfgang Steflitsch, a chest physician at

Otto Wagner Hospital in Vienna, and vice president of the Austrian Association of

Aromatherapy and Aroma Care” says there is a lot of evidence for essential oils to be able to

treat “viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, and in providing relief from sleep

difficulties and pain. The oils may also improve moods, such as anxiety, depression, and reduce

stress.” Many American physicians look to research to determine the evidence on effectiveness

of medical treatments, but there is not much evidence on if essential oils work. Essential oils do
 Mindte 3

not meet the “gold standard” scale (Halcon).

Are Essential Oils More Effective Diffused Or Rubbed into Skin?

It really depends on what you are using the essential oil for. Essential oils can positively

affect pain when applied topically. It best to apply topically for areas of your skin that are

concerning you. If you are having emotional and neurological issues, it is best to diffuse the oil

to breathe in. Diffusing will give you a “quick dose of natural chemical constituents into the

bloodstream, as opposed to topical use.” The same goes with respiratory issues. It’s best to

breathe in decongestant-type oils to help (Mehler).

What Previous Research Has Been Done on What Environment Is Best to Study in?

There are many ways to benefit when you are studying with using essential oils. There is

no scientific proof on what environment is best to study in; these are just suggestions on what

may help. Diffusing rosemary EO may help memory and being concentrated on work. You could

also add lavender to help with focusing. Lavender may reduce stress and “promotes relaxation

upon inhalation.” Using different essential oils can, overall: help you relax, have more

productivity, boost your mood, help you focus, and more which can help produce a better

environment (Wilson).

I thought that ​if people study a passage and take a test with either rosemary, wild orange,

or lavender essential oil being diffused into the air, then lavender essential oil will be the best for

studying, a​ nd I found out that rosemary and wild orange essential oil were the best. I was totally

wrong! In the experiment, when the rosemary was being diffused and the ten people were taking

the test, the people got an average of 74% on that test. They got the same score while the wild

orange was being diffused into the air too! When the lavender was being diffused, the people got
 Mindte 4

an average of 62% on the test. Now you know. If you want to study and be very focused and

calm, then diffuse wild orange or rosemary essential oil into the air. It will hopefully get you a

good grade on your next test!

 Mindte 5

Works Cited

Bartz, Tara. “Are Essential Oils More Effective Diffused or Rubbed onto Skin?” 26 Nov. 2018.

Bartz, Tara. “Have Essential Oils Been Proven to Work?” 26 Nov. 2018.

Bartz, Tara. “How Is Each Essential Oil Made?” 26 Nov. 2018.

Bartz, Tara. “What Are Essential Oils Are How Are They Used?” 26 Nov. 2018.

Bartz, Tara. “What Benefits Do Each Essential Oil Have?” 26 Nov. 2018.

Bartz, Tara. “What Previous Research Has Been Done on What Environment Is Best to Study

in?” 26 Nov. 2018.

Halcon, Linda. “How Do I Choose and Use Essential Oils?” Taking Charge of Your Health &

Wellbeing, 2016,

www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-do-i-choose-and-use-essential-oils​.

Halcon, Linda. “What Does the Research Say About Essential Oils?” Taking Charge of Your

Health & Wellbeing, 2016,

www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/aromatherapy/what-does-resea

rch-say-about-essential-oils.

Keville, Kathi. “Essential Oils 101.” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 23 Apr. 2007,

health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/how-essential-oils-w

ork1.htm.

Mehler, Bella. “Should I Diffuse Or Topically Apply My Essential Oil?” Edens Garden, Edens

Garden, 9 Mar. 2017,

www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/should-inhale-or-topically-apply-essential-oil.
 Mindte 6

Nierenberg, Cari. “The Science of Essential Oils: Does Using Scents Make Sense?” LiveScience,

Purch, 3 Sept. 2015,

www.livescience.com/52080-essential-oils-science-health-effects.html.

Scott, S.J. “7 Healthy Benefits of Essential Oils (and Why They Matter).” Develop Good Habits,

4 Mar. 2018, www.developgoodhabits.com/benefits-natural-essential-oils/.

West, Helen. “What Are Essential Oils, and Do They Work?” Healthline, Healthline Media,

2005, ​www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-are-essential-oils#section8

Wilson, Savannah. “Stay Focused: How To Use Essential Oils to Help You Study for Exams.”

MONQ, 26 Nov. 2018,

monq.com/eo/essential-oil-guide/stay-focused-essential-oils-help-study/.