Best Essential Oil for Autism

According to studies, the research on the usefulness of aromatherapy and the use of essential oils that are extracted from plants is still limited. However, they have already proven to be effective when it comes to relieving depression and anxiety and improving a person’s overall well-being, especially for those who are suffering from health conditions (1). Did you know that these essential oils are also used on adults and children with autism?

These essential oils are now used and are often found in studies indicating that they’re effective in reducing anxiety and stress (2), thus making them helpful substances when caring for adults and children with autism. If you know someone with autism, whether they’re adults or not, it would be great if we can help alleviate their stress and improve the overall quality of their life for the better.

If you’re looking for ways on how to do this, incorporating essential oils into their daily routine would tremendously help. For those who are interested, here’s what you need to know about their benefits and how to choose the essential oils to help with autism:

What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorders or ASD come with a lot of diseases that are complex, each unique in a sense that they come with several psychological dysfunctions and molecular and physiological pathogenesis (3). There’s no clear indicator of why this happens to a person, but it’s mostly attributed to environmental and genetic factors.  

Autism is diagnosed based on the impairments observed from social communication and repetitive or restricted behaviors and interests (4).  The diagnosis is needed, with the use of a standardized assessment, so as to establish if the behavioral and developmental concerns observed from an adult or a child can be attributed to autism or not (5). In the United States alone, there are 1 out of 59 individuals who are affected by this (6). So, you can really say that it’s quite prevalent.

Benefits of Essential Oils to Support Children and Adults with Autism

While there are actual medications and therapies for autism, essential oils will complement well with such treatments. This is because of their aroma. The scent, through the olfactory nerve, can trigger memories and emotions, both positive and negative such as feeling relaxed, focused, energized, or agitated (7). Each individual has his or her own response to the aromas from essential oils, but most are positive, especially when applied considerably and properly.

This is why researchers tried using essential oils with autism, hoping that they’ll see a relevant correlation between the two. In fact, one of the gold standards when it comes to this case was of a research done at the Ohio State University (8), aiming to discover if essential oils really do help support people will autism, especially when it comes to memory, behaviors, focus, communication, and the like.

In most studies, it was found out that some essential oils have positive effects on adults and children with autism such as chamomile, lavender, and peppermint. While there are cases promoting these oils, as there are still little research done and knowing that each person with autism reacts differently, not all can have the same benefits – some may react positively, some negatively, and may don’t even have any reaction at all.

Best Essential Oils for Autism

Despite such oils not being fully proven yet, if you know someone with autism who’s alright with using oils, then there is definitely no harm to this as long as you ask their doctors first and that you’re following the proper dilution rates. But, do note that there are particular oils that work more effectively than some. Here’s a list of my best essential oils for autism:

• Bergamot – fresh and vibrant; good mood booster
• Blues Buster – uplifting aroma that fights negative thoughts
• Cedar Wood – calming and boosts brain oxygenation
• Chamomile – reduces anxiety
• Frankincense – sharpens focus
• Lavender – calming, reduces anxiety, and aids sleep
• Orange – promotes calm feelings
• Peppermint – soothing and relaxing
• Rosemary – enhances concentration and cognition
• Sandalwood – reduces inflammation and promotes calmness and mental clarity
• Vetiver – helps tone down an overactive mind

Essential oils are great but you need to exercise caution when using it on infants and children. Please check out my article here on how to use essential oils safely on children.

Want to try the most natural Essential Oils from Rocky Mountain Oils?

References:

1. Brent A. Bauer, What are the Benefits of Aromatherapy? Link here
2. Franklin Institute of Wellness, The Effect of Aroma on Anxiety Among Children with Autism, 2018 Apr. Link here
3. Mila Emerald, Essential Oils and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), 2016 Aug. Link here
4. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Autism: The Management and Support of Children and Young People on the Autism Spectrum, 2013 Aug. Bookshelf ID: NBK374168
5. National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health (UK), Autism: Recognition, Referral and Diagnosis of Children and Young People on the Autism Spectrum. Bookshelf ID: NBK92976
6. What is Autism, Autism Speaks. Link here
7. Karen M. Rider, The Potential Benefits of Essential Oils for Children with Autism, 2018 Jan. Link here
8. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Study: Can Essential Oils Help Children with Autism?, 2016 Jan. Link here