Let me start by saying essential oils are amazing. I use them for everything. I don't have personal experience using them for ADD/ADHD, nor am I a doctor so I really can't give medical advice. What I can do is share some of what I found that may be worth considering for those wrestling with this issue.
My first thought is for those of you who are mommies dealing with ADD/ADHD children. You probably need to be reminded to take care of your selves as well. You know when you are on an airplane the flight attendant holds up the oxygen mask and tells you to put your own mask on before trying to help someone else. When we don't take care of ourselves our ability and effectiveness in helping others quickly diminishes.
What do you do to relax, to take care of yourself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually? Essential oils are great for self care. You can add them to bath water, put them in a diffuser give yourself an aroma therapy pick me up. You can add them to a foot bath and have a little personal foot ritual. You might add them to massage oil or lotion or better yet, get a massage from someone who uses essential oils in their practice.
Step 1 use your essential oils to take care of yourself first. Then you will have the presence of mind and a better attitude to deal with others in your life with ADD/ADHD.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one in seven boys are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD by the time they are 18. Those are pretty staggering statistics. This epidemic explosion has happened over the last 30 years. There have been a lot of things that have changed since I was a child that are probably contributing to how children's brains develop. So we will touch briefly on some of those things as well.
“Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children. It interferes with a person's ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition (cognitive alone or both cognitive and behavioral). Some of the warning signs of ADHD include failure to listen to instructions, inability to organize oneself and school work, fidgeting with hands and feet, talking too much, leaving projects, chores and homework unfinished, and having trouble paying attention to and responding to details. … ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, although the condition can continue into the adult years.” ~ http://www.everythingessential.me/HealthConcerns/ADD.html#page=page-1
Things that may be contributing to ADD/ADHD. Chemicals, some reports are linking food dyes to hyperactivity. We have food dies in everything from toothpaste to vitamins and in lots of foods. One might consider the preservatives added to our foods, or the pesticides that are sprayed on produce and grains. The amount of sugar and artificial sweeteners are another suspect in this mystery. About thirty five years ago we decided fat was bad and got rid of it but then the food tasted bad so we added more sugar. Kind of makes you wonder if a large part of many of our problems might be diet related.
Another possible culprit could be allergens: Some of the most notable are wheat, milk, nuts, eggs, fish, soy. You might try eliminating them one at a time to see if there is a difference. Another possibility could be salicylates, a natural substance found in apples, cranberries, grapes, tomatoes and almonds. This is probably not a one size fix, fits everyone. Different people can have sensitivities to different things.
On to essential oils. Some people with ADD/ADH may be sensitive to odors. Especially when dealing with children it is a good idea to include them in the process allowing them to choose from a selection of oils.
I would probably start with Lavender because it is inexpensive and is very calming. We use it to calm our dogs, and my oldest son likes to use it in the defuser to help him focus while studying.
Next I would try Frankincense because it has the ability to pass through the blood brain barrier and work on a deeper cellular level. It also stimulates the brain's limbic system.
Clary Sage would also be a good choice. It is an antidepressant, good for your nerves, helps you relax, helps with anxiety.
Next you might consider Roman Chamomile because it helps remove toxins from the system. It is both an antidepressant and a stimulant. Helping one feel less depressed or sad and to feel happy and in a good mood. Some people my want to use this with caution if you have ragweed allergies.
There are probably others that could be considered as well but this is a good starting place. Remember essential oils are super concentrated and should be mixed with a carrier oil except when using them neat on the feet. Give a calming back rub using the oils along the spine. Behind the ears is a good place to apply them to reach blood, brain and nerves more readily.
Again I'm not a doctor and everyone's situation has a variety of factors. What I do encourage you to do is to begin to educate yourself. Take the four oils I listed and look them up and learn more about them. You could use them separately or combine them to create your own blend. Keep a journal of your discoveries.
Thanks Jenifer for your question about ADD/ADHD and Essential Oils. I want to write about things that readers are interested in knowing more about. Your comments and questions help me know what to write about. Hope this gives you a starting place for your own discoveries.
Blessings, Margot
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