Top 9 Brain Boosting Essential Oils to Help Improve Memory and Dementia Fast
Written by Sonoma Lavender Wellness Team
Over 20 years’ experience producing lavender spa products in Sonoma County, California.
STORY AT A GLANCE
• Despite growing medical advances in the treatment of many conditions, successful cognitive related solutions for Alzheimer’s and other dementias remain elusive. In their absence, many people are turning to alternative memory loss solutions like aromatherapy for help.
• Essential oils are powerful natural home remedies that have been shown to not only help improve memory, and in doing so, are also able to treat dementia patients experiencing agitation, insomnia, anxiety and depression. Even better, when inhaled, they work within seconds.
• Discover 9 essential oils to help boost brain health and manage memory loss problems, sleep health, behavioral symptoms, stress, anxiety and fatigue, as well as temporarily boost cognitive performance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 57 million people are living with dementia worldwide and currently estimates nearly 10 million new cases of dementia each year. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60–70% of cases.
Unfortunately, there is no cure. Whilst a few medications have been approved, they are currently limited in scope and efficacy.
At present, the most important parts of Alzheimer’s care include regular physical and mentally engaging activities, consistent daily routines, social interaction and healthy sleep habits. In addition, managing basic health issues such as hearing and vision, sleep hygiene, as well as risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, is also central to maintaining good health.
These approaches don't cure Alzheimer's, but they definitely help people maintain independence, quality of life and function for as long as possible.
However, there is a glimmer of hope…
HOW ESSENTIAL OILS CAN HELP IMPROVE MEMORY
Essential oils are extremely powerful natural remedies widely used not only for their highly effective benefits for both physical and mental health, but also the fact that their impact can be felt almost immediately.
How scent connects with the brain: Within milliseconds, sniffing a fragrance activates the smell receptors in our nose which are closely connected to parts of the brain involved in emotions, attention and memory.
Essential oils are able to instantly influence how we feel, concentrate and remember things. An interesting 2022 review suggests that smells may have a positive effect on both short-term attention and memory.
Influence on brain activity: Some essential oils contain natural compounds that influence the chemical messengers in the brain that are involved in learning, memory and mood. Research suggests that these compounds play a role in how specific oils can affect and even improve certain brain related conditions.
A really important issue to note is that just using one or two oils is not sufficient. Instead, exposing the brain to a wide variety of fragrances over time has been shown to help preserve cognitive function.
Regulates stress, anxiety and mood: High stress levels can interfere with memory. Some oils help reduce stress and promote relaxation, helping make it easier to focus and remember information.
Increases alertness: Research has linked some oils to increased wakefulness or alertness. Increased alertness may help individuals perform better on short cognitive tasks, such as memory tests.
HOW AROMATHERAPY CAN HELP DEMENTIA PATIENTS
Unfortunately, essential oils cannot cure or reverse Alzheimer’s disease.
However, clinical research and organizations like the Alzheimer’s Society suggest they can serve as a very helpful complementary therapy by managing memory issues, sleep problems, behavioral symptoms, stress, anxiety and fatigue, as well as temporarily boost cognitive performance.
Reduce agitation: Aromatherapy can be used to relax aggressive and agitated behavior. The molecules within the oils travel to the brain, impacting the amygdala, the brain’s emotional center, so are very useful in calming someone with dementia.
Decrease insomnia: Essential oils also help insomnia or other sleep disorders by activating brain chemicals which play a part in supporting sleep.
Combat anxiety and depression: Aromatherapy can boost mood by temporarily increasing the brain’s serotonin (the “happy hormone”) release.
Target memory loss: Due to the fact that the nose's smell receptors communicate with and stimulate parts of the brain that store memories, aromatherapy has proven to significantly impact memory recall. As a result, there has been an increase in the use of aromatherapy amongst elderly dementia patients.
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9 ESSENTIAL OILS TO HELP MANAGE DEMENTIA AND IMPROVE MEMORY
Many essential oils have been studied for their potential cognitive effects, whether these be calming and soothing oils or boosting and uplifting essential oils, each of which address specific symptoms.
BEST CALMING AND SOOTHING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DEMENTIA
How to instantly let go of all that stress and anxiety to help improve memory…
Soothing essential oils help calm anxiety and stress, support brain function and sleep, and ease the distress of "sundowning". These include lavender, bergamot, rose, lemon balm and sage, and are best used later in the day and at night.
Best for: Calming stress, anxiety and agitation, promoting sleep, improving memory.
A refreshing, sweet, floral calm state of mind to use throughout your day.
Most well-known for supporting a night’s good sleep, lavender essential oil is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease but does help manage other symptoms such as calming the nervous system, particularly in cases of depression, agitation, anxiety and sleep disorders. This study confirmed a positive therapeutic effect of lavender essential oil on Alzheimer’s in anxious and distressed patients with dementia.
A 2013 study found that lavender oil may also help protect the brain from damage and support the body's natural defence systems. Lavender can also help reduce damage to brain cells caused by dementia and increases the activity of natural protective enzymes.
A 2021 review found that lavender improved working memory in some participants. It also suggested that lavender’s relaxing effect may help people focus during mental tasks.
Another study demonstrated that inhaling lavender essential oil significantly improved anxiety in just one day by helping promote both brain relaxation and stress reduction. Seven-day use improved fatigue, sleep quality, and emotional well-being.
- Rose
Best for: Brain cognitive support, easing restlessness, stress and agitation, lifting mood, improving sleep, potential to prevent dementia.
A rich, deeply floral, and intensely sweet aroma with warm honey-like, spicy, green-fruity undertones, that feels fresh, velvety, and sophisticated.
A recent study showed that rose oil has the potential to increase gray matter in the brain, particularly in the region that handles memory retrieval which is one off the first issues to show up in Alzheimer’s patients. It’s also been shown that rose oil helps reduce the build-up of toxic plagues.
A study also found that rotating rose and lavender as well as five other essential oils at night significantly improved word recall in older adults by 226% by boosting the function of a key brain pathway that plays a role in learning and memory.
Encouraging results from this study also suggest that continuous inhalation of rose essential oil may actually even help prevent brain atrophy and dementia.
- Sage
Best for: Improving memory, attention and brain function.
A warm, strong, sharp, herbal, and camphorous wake-up call for your brain.
Sage is packed with over 160 antioxidants that not only help protect against chronic diseases but also support brain function by protecting chemical messengers in the brain. This helps boost attention and improve memory in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
A 2021 study reported that sage reduced mental tiredness and improved recall and alertness in some participants. This may be due to enzymes that help protect acetylcholine, a chemical messenger vital for memory and learning.
It also helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Bergamot
Best for: Relieving anxiety, stress and irritability.
A bright, sunny citrus scent with a soft floral edge that calms the mind and comforts emotions.
Preclinical research highlights its potential to significantly manage behavioral symptoms like agitation, anxiety, and aggression. Its sweet, citrusy scent helps comfort and uplift patients who feel anxious or confused without causing the drowsiness brought on by sedatives. It’s also been found to help suppress brain inflammation.
Early research has also found that bergamot showed neuroprotective effects against cell damage caused by amyloid beta proteins (the plaques found in Alzheimer's brains). Another recent study confirmed that it can help improve anxiety, stress, depression and sleep.
- Lemon Balm
Best for: Calming anxiety, reducing irritability, restlessness and aggressiveness.
A fresh, sweet lemony scent that calms the mind and eases heavy emotions.
Clinical studies highlighted by the Alzheimer's Society show it significantly improves cognitive function, reduces agitation, and in doing so, helps improve memory, focus, and overall mood, so enhancing quality of life.
It also calms anxiety that helps improve sleep quality and ease digestive discomfort. Active compounds like rosmarinic acid also help boost brain chemicals that promote relaxation and lower stress.
Depressed? Lavender Essential Oil Can Improve Your Mood in Minutes – Read More
BEST BOOSTING AND UPLIFTING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DEMENTIA
Instant solutions to boost energy, stimulation and focus, and revive your memory and mood…
Essential oils for alertness, cognitive support, mood and engagement are best used in the morning. These include rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus, as well as lemon and other fresh, crisp citrus oils.
- Rosemary
Best for: Boosting short-term memory, mental clarity and alertness.
A quick, fresh, woody, and minty concentration boost before an important task.
Rosemary is one of the essential oils that has been most extensively researched for its potential memory-boosting properties. It is well known to help increase mental clarity and alertness and improve performance on memory and cognitive tests.
A 2024 study found that rosemary contains compounds, such as 1,8-cineole, that may support alertness and brain performance. In some studies, it was found that those exposed to rosemary performed better on memory tasks than control groups.
Research shows that rosemary can enhance cognitive performance by copying how standard dementia medications prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine which supports learning, attention, and memory.
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Citrus Oils
Best for: Increased awareness and focus, mood lifting.
Bright and citrusy, they help lift your energy and spark joy.
Often referred to as the “happy oils”, citrus has a very agreeable and pleasant scent that promotes relaxing, calming, mood-uplifting, and cheer-enhancing effects.
Many of these oils, such as lemon and orange, can help some people feel more alert. This increase in alertness could help support focus during short memory tasks.
Their brisk, fresh scent also creates a fresh feeling and promotes relaxation from stress and anxiety. This in turn helps uplift mood as well as boost emotional and physical energy.
Best for: Mental clarity, focus and uplifting mood.
Refreshing, crisp and invigorating, a sharp cool scent to help clear the head and wake up your senses.
Peppermint stimulates the central nervous system, helping lethargic or depressed individuals increase memory retention and reaction time.
Numerous studies indicate that peppermint has mood-elevating properties that can help relieve mental fatigue as well as enhance focus and alertness during demanding tasks, which may indirectly support memory. Peppermint can also be used to reduce stress and irritability.
Best for: Mental exhaustion, stimulating senses, increased alertness, memory
A strong, camphorous, and intensely stimulating punch ideal for a quick wake-up call.
Renowned for its brisk, clean, cool and minty fresh scent which invigorates the senses, eucalyptus is the go-to essential oil when you need a quick burst of mental energy during long work or study periods.
Its high levels of 1.8 cineole lower mental exhaustion and reduce sluggishness, and help invigorate the senses to quickly restore mental clarity and focus.
Eucalyptus has mostly been studied for its effects on alertness, mood, and respiratory symptoms. A 2024 study suggested that it may have calming sedative-like effects, and small human studies show it may increase alertness in some people. While more evidence is needed, experts theorize that this alertness may support focus during memory tasks.
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ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR DEMENTIA
Memory Enhancement: Blend rosemary and lemon essential oils to improve memory recall.
Focus and Concentration: Peppermint, eucalyptus and basil essential oils can boost focus and clarity.
Stress Reduction: Lavender, chamomile, and frankincense essential oils can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Mood Improvement: Citrus oils like orange and grapefruit can uplift your spirits and enhance overall mood.
Although small, a recent and very promising clinical study found that rotating different essential oil scents every day during the course of a week—such as rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender - via a diffuser for two hours a night while sleeping, has been linked to a dramatic 226% boost in memory performance.
Rose, orange and eucalyptus stimulate neurological pathways linked to learning. Lemon and peppermint help maintain cognitive alertness and engagement. Rosemary and lavender reduce stress while sharpening memory and attention.
This study shows the potential of a non-invasive, olfactive enrichment technique for strengthening memory and managing dementia, providing an effective and low-effort pathway to improved brain health.
It also shows how important it is to treat specific health issues with multiple oils, as each has very distinct and different benefits that collectively contribute towards the whole.
HOW TO SAFELY USE ESSENTIAL OILS
Diffusion: Place 3 to 5 drops of oil into an ultrasonic water diffuser in a well-ventilated room. Ideal for setting a calming atmosphere before bedtime, as well as elevating mood during the day.
Direct Inhalation: Put a single drop of oil onto a cotton ball and gently inhale the scent to quickly ease anxiety or agitation.
Topical Massage: Dilute the essential oil by mixing 1 to 2 drops into a tablespoon of a carrier oil (like sweet almond or jojoba oil). Massage gently into the hands, feet, or shoulders.
Heat and Cold Therapy: Neck pillows, heat wraps and spa masks combined with lavender aromatherapy are renowned for easing pain and treating other ailments.
IMPORTANT SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAREGIVERS
Never ingest essential oils: Oils are highly toxic if swallowed and must only be used aromatically or topically.
Monitor behavioral changes: Scents can sometimes trigger unexpected memories that cause confusion or distress. Discontinue use immediately if the person becomes agitated.
Avoid stimulating oils at night: Oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, thyme or rosemary can heighten alertness, which may disrupt sleep if used late in the day.
Check skin sensitivity: Older adults often have fragile, delicate skin. Always perform a small patch test with a diluted oil, and stop if a rash or irritation develops.
Consult a physician: Always discuss the introduction of aromatherapy with the patient's primary physician to ensure it does not conflict with existing medical treatments.
The Ultimate Guide on How to Best Use Essential Oils - Read More
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Essential oils should be used as part of a holistic approach to healing. Sometimes it may be just enough to inhale an essential oil to improve your symptoms, while at other times you may need the more comprehensive support offered by clinical treatment.
There's a difference between an essential oil and simply an oil, which is basically a perfume. If a label does not clearly state that it is an 'essential oil,' then it is not a pure oil and should not be used as suggested. Always use 100% pure essential oils as found in Sonoma Lavender’s luxury bath and body product range - including lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and sweet orange oils.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What smells help improve memory?
A study found that exposing the brain to 7 different rotating aromas – rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender – via diffuser while sleeping for two hours a night over a period of a week has been linked to a dramatic boost in memory performance.
What is the Alzheimer's smell test?
An Alzheimer’s smell test is a simple non-invasive screening toll – such as the at-home Aromha Brain Health Test, or the standard Brief Smell Identification Test – that evaluates your ability to identify, discriminate and remember odors to detect early-stage cognitive decline.
Why Smell Tests Work:
- Early brain impact: The parts of the brain that process smells are often damaged early by Alzheimer’s disease changes, even before memory loss starts.
- Shared pathways: The nerve cells in your nose connect directly to memory and emotion centers in the brain.
How the Tests Work:
- Odor Identification: Smelling a scratch-and-sniff label or physical scent card and naming what the smell is (e.g. popcorn, coffee).
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Odor Discrimination: Deciding if two different smells are the same or if one scent is stronger than the other.
- Odor Memory: Trying to recognize a scent that you were asked to smell earlier in the test.
Limitations:
- Not a standalone diagnosis: A low score suggests a higher risk of earlier impairment, but it cannot definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s on its own.
- Other causes: Loss of smell can be linked to normal aging, COVID-19, sinus issues, or other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
