How to Treat Symptoms of ADHD with Essential Oils

ADHD is short for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a brain disorder involving impulsive behaviour, hyperactivity, inattention, or a combination of the three (1). Individuals suffering from this disorder will have difficulties staying focused, and they might also experience difficulties in tasks where organizational skills are demanded (2).

According to statistics by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 6.1 million kids were diagnosed with ADHD back in 2016 in the US alone (3). Commonly, kids with ADHD are prescribed medications in the form of stimulants (4). However, the FDA has warned about the possible side effects of such medication (5).

In this article, we’ll look at the possibility of essential oils treating ADHD symptoms and talk about some useful essential oils for ADHD in children (6).

How Behaviour and Other ADHD Symptoms Can Be Managed with Essential Oils

As of now, there has been no known cure for ADHD yet. However, there have been various studies conducted regarding the effectiveness of essential oils for ADHD in children. One such research, which was done by late Dr. Terry Friedmann, revealed that vetiver essential oil can be beneficial for kids who are suffering from the disorder (7).

The research involved the application of the essential oil to a diffuser and allowing children to inhale the oil for 3 times a day in a period of 30 days. After the trial period, it was discovered that the children experienced an improvement in their behavior and brain wave patterns.

Another essential oil extracted from cedarwood was used, and the results revealed that 80% of the children participants also experienced such improvements. The reason why cedarwood essential oil was used is due to its high sesquiterpenes concentration which can help improve oxygen flow to the brain cells.

According to Friedmann, when the vetiver essential oil is inhaled, the microdroplets are transparent to the brain’s limbic system (where emotion, reason, and smell and processed) as well as the hypothalamus which is the command center for the body’s hormones.

Through electroencephalograph (EEG), they were able to monitor the improvements in brain activity, allowing them to determine if the brain is either in its beta (alert) or theta (lack of focus) state. Results have shown major improvements in beta-theta ratios following the application of vetiver essential oils. Not to mention, participants were also able to experience major improvements in their symptoms (8).

Essential Oils Which Can Be Diffused or Applied to Help Children with ADHD

Even if they aren’t a cure for ADHD, these following Rocky Mountain essential oils are quite effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD among children:

• Vetiver Essential Oil – made from the extract of the vetiver plant, this oil comes with a woody and slightly sweet aroma. Its application in diffusers can help ADHD children improve their attention levels. Aside from that, it can also induce a stimulating effect and might improve overall alertness and performance (9).
• Attention Assist – this one’s designed to help your kids stay focused on a task at hand. Made of a combination of vetiver, cedarwood, lavender, and frankincense, this oil is perfect for helping your kids study amid the distractions.
• Rosemary Essential Oil – extracted from rosemary, this essential oil is perfect for enhancing cognitive performance and mental acuity. Aside from that, rosemary’s fresh scent may also help improve mental sharpness (10).

Remember to read my article on how to use essential oils safely on children

References:

1. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Signs and Symptoms, National Institute of Mental Health. Link here
2. Singh A, Yeh CJ, et al., Overview of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Children. 2015 Apr 13;3(2):2115. PMID: 26973960
3. Data and Statistics About ADHD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Link here
4. Guven A, Altinkaynak M, Effects of Methylphenidate on Reaction Time in Children with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder. 2019 Mar;56(1):27-31. PMID: 30911234
5. ADHD Medications and Side Effects, WebMD. Link here
6. ADHD by the Numbers: Facts, Statistics, and You, Healthline. Link here
7. Terry F, Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, 2001. Link here
8. Dania C, Acharaporn I, et al., Modification of sleep-waking and electroencephalogram induced by vetiver essential oil inhalation. 2016 Jan-Feb; 5(1): 72–78. PMID: 27069728
9. Heather G, The role of essential oils in the treatment and management of attention deficit hyperactive disorder. 2001 Dec. Link here
10. Mark M, Lorraine O, Plasma 1,8-cineole correlates with cognitive performance following exposure to rosemary essential oil aroma. 2012 Jun; 2(3): 103–113. PMID: 23983963