5 Best Essential Oils for Dementia (Backed with Studies)

Looking for essential oils for dementia? You have found the right article.

In this article, you will read about some of the best essential oils for dementia that are evidence-based and considered safe to use.

Read: Essential Oils for Itchy Feet

The Best Essential Oils for Dementia

Here are some of the best essential oils:

1. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil has been used for years by Greek scholars to improve their memory and eliminate some dementia symptoms such as memory loss.

A study recently published in the International Journal for Neuroscience determined that rosemary essential oil increased memory alertness and the quality of memory.

Another recent study published in Psychogeriatric involving 28 elderly participants with Alzheimer’s and dementia found that rosemary has some properties that prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Simply inhaling the aroma of rosemary has equally been found to lower levels of stress hormone in the blood. In most cases, the high levels of cortisol can increase anxiety and stress and put the body in ‘’fight-or-flight’’ mode. When the stress is chronic, it can cause memory problems and other related symptoms of Dementia.

2. Lavender Essential Oil

The lavender essential oil has been found to calm dementia patients and suppress psychotic symptoms such as aggression and agitation.

A study recently published here shows that inhaling the aroma of Lavender essential oil can improve sleep in patients with Dementia.

According to another preview published in March 2017 in the journal of evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, Lavender essential oil can improve memory and deal with a couple of other symptoms in patients with dementia.

3. Bergamot Essential Oil 

The hardest to treat in patients with dementia are Agitation and aggression and according to this study Bergamot essential oil can suppress these symptoms and help calm the patients.

However, there’s a need for further evidence on the health benefits of bergamot essential oil for advanced results.

Another recent study shows that Bergamot essential oil works by stimulating the olfactory receptors that work on the brain to regulate emotions in patients with dementia.

4. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is another great essential oil that can work to manage symptoms of dementia and improve memory.

A study published in 2017 shows that sniffing peppermint essential oil can improve the learning and memory of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Another study published in 2020 in Cochrane Library found that Peppermint essential oil has some advanced benefits in managing most dementia symptoms such as sleep, mode, relaxation, and improving the quality of life.

5. Frankincense Essential Oil

Lastly, Frankincense essential oil has also been praised for its ability to improve memory and manage most dementia symptoms.

In this study, Frankincense was found to improve memory in different models of learning. However, the influence of this essential oil on models of Alzheimer’s disease has not been well-studied.

Another study shows that 4 weeks of Frankincense consumption can facilitate motor memory in people suffering from dementia.

Precautions!

  • Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin, such as coconut oil or olive oil.
  • Use only pure essential oils that are certified by an accredited body, such as the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFRA).
  • Do not use undiluted essential oils on infants under one year old due to possible respiratory complications.

Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Skin irritations
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

How to Use Essential Oils for Dementia?

There are many ways to use essential oils, but it’s important to choose the method that works best according to your needs.

1. Inhaling

Essential oils can be inhaled directly to relieve the symptoms of dementia. For that purpose, you can use a diffuser or a nebulizer.

2. Topical Application

Applying essential oils topically is an excellent way to not only treat various skin conditions and ailments but also to treat the symptoms of dementia.  

The Bottom Line!

The above-mentioned essential oils for dementia are some of the best and safest essential oils that you can use.

Even if these essential oils are safe to use, you must consider some precautions before using, and if you notice any discomfort with the use consult with your doctor.


The content present on this page has not been evaluated by any medical authorities e.g FDA. All the information present is solely for informational purposes and is not a substitute for the medical advice provided by your physician. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or illness.


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