Neal's yard Remidies concentration aids.

This post is about two remedies that I use to help me when working on projects, preparing for exams (anything requiring reading for a long period of time). On certain days I find it really hard to concentrate, like my brain just refuses to process large quantities of information. Normally if I feel like that I give myself a break and on the next day I feel fresh and able to deal with it. However with dead lines it isn't always possible to give yourself a much needed break. There are only so many cups of coffee or tea you can have before you start running to the toilet every five minutes (so counter productive). When I need extra help this is what I use.

These two little beauties came as a part of a study set by Neal's Yard. I sort of used everything else up and conveniently deleted the photos somehow. So what was meant to be a review of the whole set now is going to be a review for just two products. They don't do the sets any more but I'll give you details of the products that used to be in this one at the end of this post (just in case you want to recreate your own).

Remedies to Roll - Study.
First of all don't be put off by the title "study", you don't have to be a student to benefit from this aromatherapy treatment. It is meant to help you cope with large amounts of information, or reading for a prolonged period of time. So anyone who is doing some sort of paperwork, research or project involving lots of information that needs to be remembered could benefit.

I normally use it when my head starts feeling foggy and things don't make sense. It sort of gives me this burst of "I am awake" energy. It isn't very long lasting unfortunately but on the other hand I just roll it on my pulse points when I feel like my mind is wondering again. This is a base of sunflower oil with essential oils. Primarily citrus. Citrus oils are really great at clarifying your mind and making you feel refreshed. Also sometimes it can be hard to feel motivated to start a daunting project. People associate smells with certain things, if you keep using this for studying or research, when you put it on your mind sort of recognises what you are about to do and what is needed of it. Puts you in the zone so to speak, where it is much easier to find the focus needed for the task.

 I find it that on my temples it seems to stay the longest and on the wrists the smell disappears much quicker. If you are using it on temples make sure to clean that area at the end of the day, although sunflower oil is very light and generally not comodogenic, with frequent applications the chances increase, it is better to wipe the oil of than wake up with tiny spots on your temples.

Ingredients:
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil*, clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) oil*, orange (Citrus dulcis) oil*, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil*, bergamot (Citrus bergamia) oil*, grapefruit (Citrus grandis) oil*, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil*, spearmint (mentha viridis) oil*, basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil*, tocopherol, citral, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, isoeugenol, limonene, linalool.
*organic ingredients

Focus flower essence blend (bach flower essence blend)
Honestly sometimes everything is super distracting. I keep thinking about what to make for dinner, who's birthdays are coming up, what should I wear tomorrow. anything but what I am supposed to be doing. This is where the focus remedy comes in. Basically I use it when my study roll on is not doing the trick (or the effect doesn't last very long before I have to reapply). It tastes truly disgusting. You need to put 4 drops under the tongue 4 times a day. This is  a flower tincture in water and brandy (I really do not like brandy) and it totally stings, it has Alc. vol 26%. But it really works! I can feel my eyes widening and I can instantly think more clearly.

Indicated for: exam formula, interviews, cramming, mental tiredness, overwhelmed, fear of failure, revision, distracted, fuzzy headed, mental chatter, uninspired.

You can also add a few drops to a small amount of water and sip it through out the day (it would help with the taste, but I have not tried it as I feel like it won't be as potent?) I have never tried any other flower remedies before this one (or after) and I am so pleased at how well it works.

Ingredients:
Water, organic brandy, larch, elm, white chestnut, hornbeam, gentian, clematis.

When I have to get through a lot of reading and writing I use the combination of the two, but if I can get away with it I just use the roll on. The focus remedy is definitely the one that has a much stronger immediate effect but is not as enjoyable to use. Comes down to this: if I need motivation I use the roll on, if my brain is refusing to work I use the focus flower blend (or both which is frequently the case).

What was in the original kit (as well as the above products): lemon balm tincture, rose and lemon balm uplifting tea, tea strainer, and a lemon body/space spray they don't do it any more but any energy spray will have similar properties (I personally really like the Lotus Wei one).

Do you guys have favourite tricks to help you stay focused?