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ADD / ADHD / Concentration

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by Terry S. Friedmann, MD, ABHM (the study is copied below the testimonies)
Brief Summary: "Treatment outcome results reveal that the essential oil of Vetiver improves the brain activity and reduces the symptoms in ADHD diagnosed subjects. Similar results were found with the essential oil Cedarwood, although not statistically significant. This lack of significance could result from the relatively small number of subjects in this study. The Lavender group showed no apparent improvement after the treatment program. In summary, based on this study, I would not hesitate to recommend the use of the essential oil Vetiver in the treatment of children diagnosed as having ADHD. I would even consider using the essential oil Cedarwood in situations where Vetiver was not available or other cases in which Vetiver was not appropriate. Certainly, the essential oil Vetiver proved to be the treatment of choice between the three different oils used in this study."

Magnesium Deficiency & the ADHD/Autism Correlation
by Ashley Steinbrinck, April 4, 2013

Scents Reduce Autism Symptoms, Study Finds

Is This Your Child? by Dr. Doris Rapp
Summary of Is This Your Child?

 

Do French Kids Don't Have ADHD? by Marilyn Wedge, Ph.D. in Suffer the Children

ADHD Meds Tied to Cardio Risk by John Gever, MedPage Today

A Neurodevelopmental Approach to Learning and Developmental Problems by Kay Ness (Click on "Basic Information" to listen to an audio of an overview seminar about neurodevelpmental approach to remediating learning issues.)

Aromatherapy Support for ADHD/ADD and Anxiety by Haly Jensen, BS, MA, LPC, RA

Essential Oils Can Help ADHD by Dr. Mercola

The Link Between Gut Bacteria And Your Kid’s Behavior Just Got Stronger by Kayla Gignac

Neurodevelopmental Help: Essential oils may offer support as you work with the child. We've seen many helped with Christian Neurodevelopmental care:
Hope and a Future - Linda Kane
Southeastern Neurodevelopmental Consultants - Kay Ness
Little Giant Steps - Jan Bedell
Champions for the Parents: Marching For the Family - Julie Meekins

The following is from the Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood:
The following essential oils can be used in all the usual ways except that basil and peppermint should be avoided in baths or showers. For concentrating on efficacy, good choices would be Lemon, Basil, May Chang or Frankincense.
Essential Oils for Concentration
Lemon
Basil ct linalool
Lemongrass
May Chang
Cardamom
Bergamot
Orange, Sweet
Cedarwood atlas
Rosemary
Eucalyptus globulus
Peppermint
Lavandin
Dilute 15-30 drops in 1 fl. oz. of carrier oil to make a body oil, or make up a blend of oils using these quantities and use the recommended number of drops for the various methods, such as bath or shower, and in all room and inhalation methods.

Concentration Blend 1
Lemon  10 drops
Basil Linalool  10 drops
Rosemary  10 drops

Concentration Blend 2
May Chang  10 drops
Cardamom  10 drops
Lemon  10 drops

The following is from The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness by Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele:

Memory Sharpener Blend
30 drops  Basil ct. linalool
30 drops  Rosemary or Spanish Sage
18 drops  Lemon
18 drops  Black Pepper

Air Spray
In a 4oz PET plastic spray bottle, combine 75 drops of Memory Sharpener Blend and 1 tsp vodka. Fill with distilled or filtered water. Shake to blend.

Bath
Fill the tub with warm water. Meanwhile, in a small, non-reactive bowl, combine 1 tsp milk and 4 to 6 drops of Memory Sharpener Blend. Add to the tub and agitate to disperse oil, then soak for 30 minutes, massaging any floating oil droplets into your skin.

Inhaler
Place 25 drops of Memory Sharpener Blend in a small, non-reactive bowl. Place the inhaler wick in the bowl and allow it to absorb the entire amount. Insert the wick inside the inhaler tube and tightly cap the bottom of the inhaler with the plug. Place the inhaler tube inside its cover and screw tightly to close.

Massage
In a small, non-reactive bowl, combine 4 tsp of Grapeseed or Sweet Almond oil and 8 drops of Memory Sharpener Blend. Mix well and massage over your body. 

Testimonies
The following anecdotal testimonies have not been reviewed by the FDA.
The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease.
Information shared on the HEO website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice given by your trusted healthcare provider.
We believe that essential oils are provided by the Lord to support our health and well-being.
The Lord is our wisdom, protector and healer.
(Genesis 1:29-30, Ezekiel 47:12) 

1. I know someone who had absolutely astounding results using Potential essential oil blend along with Peaceful on her 12-year-old son. He’d had major problems in school and didn’t seem to be able to focus on anything. Now he loves school and his teachers are astounded. His mom diffuses Peaceful in their home.

2. I find that applying Focus, Potential and/or Peaceful on the back of my neck and on each wrist helps me focus and is very balancing.

3. My grandchildren used to be what I’d call out-of-control. Their doctor wanted to put them on Ritalin, but I protested and intervened with Vetiver and Cedarwood. I’d put a drop of each on their big toes and let them rub their toes together before putting on their socks. This way, they didn’t have to touch the oils (Vetiver is not our favorite smell). They did this before school and upon returning home in the afternoon. When they used this consistently, it was very beneficial, and the results were obvious to everyone.

4. My youngest son has several neurological and developmental disorders including attention issues. What has worked wonders for him is using 1 ounce of a liquid vitamin/mineral a day plus Peaceful. I literally have people asking me what’s wrong with my son when I don't give him his daily dose of liquid vitamins and minerals or use Peaceful. Focus is another one that works as well. Another factor to consider toxins. My son was tested and found to have a high aluminum content in him. It's absorbed so easily from so many sources. Heavy metal poisoning mimics many symptoms.

5. My grown son uses Potential to help him concentrate. I remember the first time my son used the Potential. He was having a very difficult time concentrating for long periods of time in his college classes, so I sent him the Potential. He called and said, "Mom, I just got up for a break. That essential oil is great! I have been studying for almost 2 hours!" Typically, he had difficulty staying with it for 20 minutes. Potential made a big difference for him.

6. Besides the oils, look into Essential Fatty Acids. The brain is something like 80% cholesterol, and the body makes “brain food” from cholesterol. Today’s low-fat diets are suicide for the brain. Generally, “low fat” means normal quantities of bad food and no good fat. EFAs should be considered for any brain disorder – ADD, bipolar, depression, multiple personality disorder, and so on. My EFA preference is Udo’s oil, which is in most health food stores. Udo Erasmus is the author of “Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill,” which is sort of the Bible of the EFA world. Minerals are extremely important, too.

7. I don’t consider myself to have abnormal attention issues, but do have a fair bit of stress in my life and a lot on my plate to keep up with. I am crazy about HEO's Attention. It is not a strong-smelling oil, so it’s easy to apply at work without undue attention (pardon the pun!). I love the aroma and can testify that I feel more alert and effective when I use it. It’s definitely worth a try!! - Candice

8. I put the Peaceful blend on my son every morning and night - I think it helps him to some extent. The other 2 oils I use for him are the Potential and Attention. My son used the Potential the day he went for neuropsych testing in April, and he scored a mental age of 9 years 3 months on the WAIS adult intelligence test. I think this proves the effectiveness of the Potential oil. If it helps to any degree with comprehension, it will assist with allaying anxiety. The Attention works with the Potential, so I would definitely use both oils together. Beyond that, I am still experimenting myself, but he definitely enjoys using the oils, and he has said that they make him feel better. - S.C.

9. Our son has ADHD, very mild Aspergers, dysgraphia and visual perception dysfunction. He is super high-functioning. If you didn't see him read or write, you would never know he has any sort of problem. He just seems a little quirky - that's the mild Aspie coming out - and the boy can't be still to save his life (ADHD). Otherwise, most people are surprised to know that we have nothing going on at all. He is, for a fact, ALL BOY! However, that being said, he is, in truth, quite severely dyslexic. He is 13, reads on a 1st/2nd/3rd-grade level and writes and spells worse. He has been using Focus, Mental Stimulation, Peaceful and Peppermint together before he goes to his therapy every week, and his therapist says he's a different kid when he uses it vs when he doesn't. If he's having an off day, she always immediately asks, "Did you use your oils today???" And if it's an off day, "no" is almost always the answer (he forgot them at home, they were in the other car, etc...) Very soon, I will get him sample bottles of all of them and put them in his own little "take it with you" pouch so he can have them on the way to therapy!! Thanks so much for the way you have let God use you, your family, and your business to help people. - Lori C.

10. I apply Clary Sage on my son's neck to curb his vocal stimming. - Jamie

11. Peaceful is awesome. We use it for ADHD in my 13-year-old with Down Syndrome. I use it for myself as well. But my favorite oil is just straight Frankincense. It does wonders to calm the mind. - Lori

12. For ADD-ADHD, GABA is a good one. It is usually combined with B6 and perhaps some other calming agents. On the anxiety issue, I'd give him Paradise Herbs Bacopa immediately. Bacopa is my second favorite of all supplements. You may not "feel" a change come on, but if you remind yourself to notice, you'll see that the anxiety isn't there. Bacopa is majorly safe (unless you are one in a billion with some allergy). It has been used in India for millennia and is used on their infants in tea. You can order it from iHerb. Buried Treasure, Added Attention is a good blend that has GABA, DMAE, and Vit B and is wheat, gluten, yeast, and dairy free. Try Bacopa first thing in the morning so you can watch and know what this single supplement does. Then, I'd add in the other. Do both separately so you can observe his response.  Links: Buried Treasure, Added Attention and Bacopa
- Nikki S.

13. My son has RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder), ADHD (impulsive type), ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder) and dyslexia. He is a very bright boy, but the impulsivity is his worst enemy. We are not giving him medicine over the summer because we want him to start working on self-control now that he is mentally at a stage where he can do so. He also has great difficulty calming down for bedtime, which is a big point of contention EVERY night. So, I purchased Adagio, Peaceful and Vetiver. I immediately put the Peaceful on the soles of his feet for Saturday night. He didn't want to go to bed, but he did so, and we had no peep all night! Last night went good as well. Yesterday, I put the Adagio on him, just a few drops behind the ears and on the back of his neck. It was a super hot day here, and he does not do well with heat (due to a heart condition). He was not overanxious throughout the day. He was not attempting to draw me into arguments. He listened reasonably well with little correction. I believe I have already seen a difference. Time will tell, but I am praying this is a long-awaited answer to prayer for my son. Thank you for the work you do, Linda!! - Elaine
UPDATE: He is still doing well today. He had a friend over that he tends to boss around, and there was none of that today. I reapplied the oil because they went fishing/swimming in the stream. He doesn't mind it. I explained how nice it would be if, instead of taking a pill, we only had to rub on a little oil. He likes that idea a lot better. He doesn't seem to be "crawling out of his skin" like he does when he doesn't take meds. (He’s currently only taking 15 mg of Adderall XR).

14. Your oils have immensely blessed us. I don't know what I would do without them. We use Cedarwood Atlas on our daughter, who is three and has Down's Syndrome. She has what I describe as ADHD episodes where she goes crazy and throws a fit. I know something is wrong, but I don't know what is happening. I put a drop of Cedarwood on her head and have her smell it. This has been a real help to us. One day, we were in Target, and my daughter started flailing about and didn't want to let us hold her. It was like trying to hold a slippery noodle. We would set her down out of exhaustion, and she just wanted to pace the aisles bare walking ( her version of crawling). I remembered that I had Cedarwood in my purse. In a few minutes, she calmed down and snuggled with me for the rest of the time in the store. A complete transformation! Thank you so much! - Lydia

15. I've been using Peaceful and Adagio on my daughter, who was diagnosed with ADHD in March. We agreed to put her on medication on a trial basis to help during school, which was not a great experience for us or her. We started using EO's about 6 weeks ago. After Bible Camp today, while in the car, I was talking to my little one (she is 7 1/2) and asked how it was going. There are so many kids that it was kind of loud, music, singing, a ton going on - translation: A HUGE distraction factor for an ADHD child. She answered: "I didn't even notice I had ADHD, Mommy. I think the oils help way more than the medicine ever did.” Praise The Lord, and thank you, Linda, for your direction. This has been a blessing, truly. This is how we apply the oils: Peaceful in the Morning is applied to the soles of her feet, the insides of her wrists, and ears, and I have her take 3 deep sniffs. Adagio in the morning is applied to the soles of the feet and over the heart. In the evening, we apply it to the soles of her feet, over the heart, and under the nose. - Kellee

16. Adagio is working for me regarding focus issues. - Stef

17. At the beginning of the year, we started using Adagio on our 5-year-old to help with focus at Preschool (did not tell the teacher). Last week, she told me, "he is like a different kid.” But then she asked if we were using something on him because she pinpointed a smell that was causing her problems. Apparently, she is very sensitive to smells. We went two days without the oil... yesterday she asked me to start using it again! - Breann

18. I wanted to post an update regarding using essential oils for ADHD. My son has ADHD and cannot take medication due to severe side effects. I posted a couple of questions on the HEO Facebook page and received wonderful feedback. I also had people request that when I found what worked for us, I share it so that it may help others. We have implemented some changes in our home, and I have seen a dramatic improvement in my son's ADHD. I hope this may also help others, as I know I was one desperate mama! Some basic changes we implemented include limiting sugar, artificial food coloring and msg (in its many, many forms!). I also am making sure that my children (only one has ADHD, but these diet changes are good for everyone!) have some sort of protein with their breakfast each day. All of these things have definitely helped. However, the biggest change came from using HEO. What we use is Adagio, Vetiver, and Lavender. We apply Adagio on the bottom of my son's feet and over his heart in the morning and the late afternoon. We apply the Vetiver behind his ears and at the base of his neck each morning and afternoon. We apply the Lavender on his wrists in the morning, and I diffuse it in our living room, which is also our schoolroom (we homeschool). I have not had to use a carrier oil with him as he has, thus far, been tolerant to the neat oils. We have done quite a bit of trial and error, but this is what has worked well for us. I have not tried the Peaceful blend as of yet, but we are including a sample with our next order. I must say that one of the things that impressed me about this company is the ability to order sample sizes. Everyone's body is different, and each may react differently to the oils. The ability to get a sample size is extremely comforting to a wife/mom on a tight budget. I would hate to order a full-size bottle (even though they are such a good price!) only to discover that it doesn't work well for a particular family member. Thank you, Linda, for being so considerate of your customers! Again, this is just our experience and what we have found to work with ADHD in our home. I must add that although I knew the oils were helping, I did not realize how much they helped until they were lost. Even with the continued diet changes, my son's ADHD was much worse without the oils. - Joanna

19.  This year, at our family Thanksgiving dinner, I watched my 11-year-old enjoy his meal for the first time in 5 years. We always eat at noon, but in the past, since my son was on his ADHD meds, he could never eat much during the day and would just pick at the food. I was probably the only person in the room who noticed the change, and I enjoyed every minute of it. We had taken him off his meds this summer because the HEOs worked so well. We have still had a rough time many days, but I feel like we are doing better with the EOs than with the meds overall, so I am confident that we made the right decision. We use Adagio during the day and Peaceful at night. I also found that Frankincense helps calm him down when he is over-excited. Last month, I started rubbing Helichrysum, Lavender, and Frankincense blend on his back at night, and over time, I feel like that has helped, too. I also have a friend who has lowered the dosage of her son’s med and another friend who was able to avoid increasing the dosage when school started. I know every child is different and not everyone will see the same success, and it has taken an extreme amount of patience on my part, but I feel like we have turned a corner here, and for that, I will always be thankful. Thanks, Linda Sherman! - Mary Jane

20. I have been using Adagio diluted in fractionated coconut oil on my son for 11 months now. I rub it on the back of his neck several times a day as needed. My son has severe ADHD and has been on a form of Ritalin for 4 years. I had tried Adagio to see if it would be of any additional help. The medication had been working fine, and we had no issues with it except that it killed his appetite during the day. I noticed an improvement within several days of adding Adagio, and within 10 days, I stepped him down and then completely off his medication because he was doing so well without it. That was in the summer, so we didn't need to deal with school issues. We homeschool, and we still struggle with focus and with some social issues; however, overall, Adagio is working better than Ritalin for us. A bonus is that he has gained over 10 pounds, which is good since he was always very skinny. I also started giving him virgin coconut oil in his diet, which has also improved things. We use Peaceful and a blend I put together (Frankincense, Lavender and Helichrysum Blend). We call this blend "Decimal Oil" at our house because it helped us get through our math one day (we were doing decimals), and it helps me get through my periods when I use it on my belly (period... decimal -see the connection?). Thank you for such a wonderful product! I love your oils! - Leslie

21. I love the Christofori blend’s aroma; as a bonus, it helps my 7-year-old son, who struggles with mood and attention issues (mainly at school). - Maggie

22. I tried several of your blends that have helped other children with mood and attention issues, and Christofori is definitely a keeper. I purchased about 4 blends and diluted each at about 3% into a roll-on applicator. I also put this, my daughter's favorite, into an inhaler so she can inhale as needed at school. - Lynn

23. My son, who has Down syndrome, is 12 and is displaying aggressive behavior that seems to have become more exaggerated and brought on more by the onset of puberty. I've been using Adagio at night and mornings, along with Valerian at night, too. Valerian has a powerful, not-so-pleasant smell, so we sock his feet right away, or he just tucks them under his covers quickly. I deal with anxiety myself and originally bought Valerian to try on me. I found I don't mind the smell much anymore because of its calming sensation. It doesn't knock me out but relaxes me so I can sleep, and my number one love of it is that it shuts my brain up. I can relax without my brain still going 100 mph. With my son, who is non-verbal, I don't know what feelings he gets out of it, but he sleeps at night. He's also been calmer. I also use Palo Santo. Its very calming effect on me is craved. It doesn't have the same type of calming effect that I find Valerian does, but a different, pleasant one. I don't use it to help with sleep but rather to calm myself or my son in the moment when anxiety may be running high (like shopping). My daughter tells me it stinks. I've come to love the smell because of the calm I associate with it. With just a few drops in our hands, breathing it in, my son and I are relaxing better. :) - Lysh

24. My daughter was a very sweet, compliant child until she had heart surgery. After the surgery, she could be doing something as simple as unloading the dishwasher and just throwing a cup. Her behavior had become destructive in many ways. Linda suggested Peaceful and that I first apply it when things are going well so that my daughter would associate the aroma with good behavior. Once I felt I'd established the positive association, I could use it when she flipped to destructive behavior. I saw real improvement!! She did not pitch a fit for the entire 2 weeks since I began using it. The change is incredible!!! - Judy

25. I have a 19-year-old daughter with Trisomy 18. She has severe developmental delays and some behavior problems, especially at school. I read about Adagio and began using it on Monday. I did not tell the teachers I was doing anything differently, and all three days of school, she has gotten the best notes home since the beginning of the year . . . I've tried other calming oils on her, but this seems to have the best result of anything I've seen. My daughter's issue is a lack of attention and aggressiveness when asked to do a task she doesn’t want to do - more so at school. It seems like both of those have been MUCH better this week. I am sending some to school to have her favorite para apply mid-day. Again, today, she came home kind of wound up, and I rubbed a few drops on her neck/chest, and she is calm and happy as can be. A para in her class sent me a picture of her sitting still and working at a table (that's a RARE scene.) - Nanci 

26. Our daughter has severe developmental delays with some autistic-like tendencies. Before we began using Adagio, she had a very difficult time focusing, had a hard time calming down for bedtime, and any changes to our daily routine were extremely difficult for her. I saw some change when I began using it as directed (1-2 drops at the base of the neck, over the heart, and on the feet), but one day, several drops ended up on my hand, and I did not wish to waste it. She was so vastly improved above the already improved condition that I began putting at least 10 drops on her spine and then 5-6 over her heart and on her feet. I avoid putting it on the top of her head because it makes her head look greasy, but it's a good backup option if she's having an extremely rough day. - Adrienne D. 

27. My daughter was diagnosed with RAD (Reactive Airway Disease) at 4 weeks old after swallowing fluid at birth and never being able to get the fluid out on her own. Because of this, her lungs would frequently collapse, and she has spent most of her life in and out of Children's Hospital. She was never able to properly build her immune system because her lungs were so weak, and the doctors had finally decided about a year ago to try putting her on Singulair as a maintenance medication since nothing else was working. Before this medication, she was the calmest child, with a “go with the flow” attitude about everything, and was extremely lovable and sweet. About a month after starting the medication, I noticed she started to get agitated really easily, and the doctors had said that it was normal because her body was just adjusting to the new medication, but it would pass. The agitation soon turned into outright defiance and angry outbursts. The doctors said she was just going through a toddler "phase" (she's 3.5 now). Soon after, she started trying to hurt her older sisters, and at dinner time one evening, she threw a knife (thank God nobody was hit or hurt, but it scared me to death). I put all my knives in my bedroom, which I now keep locked, as she throws everything she can get her hands on. This isn't a "phase," this is something seriously wrong! After reaching out to Linda at Hopewell about my concerns and the things going on, she suggested I consider trying Adagio or Christofori to help calm her down. She also sent me some information about Singulair that I wish I had known a long time ago (it can actually change the chemical makeup in your child's brain). I reduced her dose of Singulair because it can cause withdrawal symptoms (something else I recently learned) and had her smell the 2 oils the first day they arrived. I immediately noticed that the 2 oils had a calming effect on her, and when she was having an angry outburst, smelling the two oils together calmed her down substantially. I was so overjoyed I wanted to cry, as I had tried everything to calm her during one of her fits, and I’d never seen anything calm her this way! So, I mixed the oils separately in roll-on applicators and tried them separately on her. I noticed they were helping a little bit, but when I put the two together and applied them on the back of her neck and over her heart (diluted), she would go an entire day without an outburst or trying to hurt her sisters! It's literally like my prayers have been answered, and I have my little girl back! It's so nice to see her play, run around and have something not go her way and see her stop and think it through instead of immediately reacting violently. Thank you, Linda (HEO), for your help has literally brought peace back into our home! - Stacey

28. We have been having tremendous results using Adagio and Peaceful diluted on the back of the neck, wrists, and over the heart in the morning and evening (and sometimes at noon). It has helped calm our child, who is often easily frustrated and agitated, in unbelievable ways. He is SO MUCH more compliant and obedient when we consistently use the oils. It’s been a game changer for our homeschool atmosphere. Thank you to all of those who leave reviews! The reviews were what sold me on giving these oils a try. And thank you, Hopewell, for making these oils accessible and affordable. We praise God for you! - Courtney

ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
BY TERRY S. FRIEDMANN, M. D., A.B.H.M.


Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder is one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders in young children and teenagers. Several million children are reported to be treated for ADHD; however, some school classrooms report that as high as 30% of the
students are being treated for this illness. The child is normally diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of six and twelve years of age1. The symptoms are usually:
1.     Inattention - Having a shorter than usual attention span and can be easily distracted.
2.     Impulsivity - Not being able to control impulses.
3.     Hyperactivity - Periodic over activity.

The diagnosis of ADHD is made by several methods: medical history and physical exam and/or tests, both verbal and written. It is not uncommon for the diagnosis to be made by the parents and/or educational personnel, such as teachers and school nurses. This is usually the result of close observation and monitoring of the child’s behavior and performance1.

Many children diagnosed as having ADHD perform poorly in school due to their inability to focus their attention and stay on task. Once diagnosed, treatment can be broad and varied. The present approaches include medication, behavior management, social skills training, counseling, and a holistic approach. Included under the broad category of holistic are biofeedback, homeopathy, diet restriction, herbal medicines, and other natural substances.

Not enough research has been obtained relative to these holistic modalities. One of the modalities, which has been researched and has shown some promise, is food restriction. It appears that both restricting dietary sugar and food chemical additives have helped a limited number of children who have ADHD.

The common treatment in our society for ADHD is usually the drugs Ritalin, chemically named methylphenidate, or to a lesser extent the drug Dexedrine, chemically named dextroamphetamine3. Ritalin is said to control the symptoms in 70% of the cases. However, neither medication sustains any healing properties. Unfortunately, both drugs have been shown to have similar side effects on the brain, mind, and behavior including conditions such as psychosis, mania, drug abuse, and addiction. Ritalin can cause permanent neurological tics and also growth retardation in children by disrupting the cycles of growth hormone secretion by the pituitary gland.

Ritalin, when ground up and inhaled, is being used as a recreational drug. It is being obtained illegally with and without a prescription, and reports indicate that it could present a problem of addiction. There is also evidence that occasionally it eventually leads to the use of more serious narcotics.

In this study, I have elected to use natural substances as a treatment for ADHD in children. The substances are essential oils. Essential oils are aromatic, volatile liquids distilled from shrubs, trees, roots, bushes, seeds, and flowers2. The oils, made up of resin and plant extracts, are the most powerful part of the plant2. The essential oils are extracted from the plant or tree by various methods. The most effective method is by the process of distillation wherein the plant is heated at specific temperatures, pressures, and time to best separate the oil from the plant structure without fracturing the chemical constituents.

Essential oils contain hundreds of different chemical compounds, each having specific properties and actions. When these essential oils are inhaled, they not only provide exquisite fragrances, but they have also proven to be able to produce physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of people since the beginning of time. Records dating back to 4500 BC describe the use of balsamic aromatic substances for religious rituals and medical conditions. The chemical constituents of essential oils have been compared to human blood for they have similar properties; that of immune and nervous system stimulation, being antimicrobial in nature, of containing nutrients and oxygen, and of stimulating the regeneration of all tissues. One of the reasons for this is the way by which the oils are absorbed by the body. When the essential oil is inhaled, the micro droplets are carried to the limbic system of the brain, which is that portion that is the processing center for reason, emotion, and smell, and to the hypothalamus, which is the hormone command center. The essential oil micro droplets are also carried to the lungs where they enter the circulatory system. Some essential oils contain high levels of the chemical constituents sesquiterpenes, which can dramatically increase oxygenation and activity in the brain. Other essential oils, because of their unique constituents, tend to have a greater role in hormonal secretion and in the balance of mood and emotions.

Method:Subjects:

Equipment :
The equipment used in testing the subjects was a real-time electro-encephalograph (EEG). This measures electrical impulses in the brain by placing small sensors called electrodes on a person’s scalp to detect the electrical impulses moving through the brain. The real-time EEG measures all major areas of the brain and gives instant feedback. The instruments used in the study were the J and J-I-330-Beta-Theta and the Neurodata 3000. Although the equipment is manufactured by two different sources, their operation is essentially the same in its measurement of the brain waves.

Equipment Technique: While the real-time EEG equipment is capable of measuring all the brain waves, only two parameter types were measured, beta and theta waves.

The beta brain waves, whose frequency is 13-30 cycles per second, reflect those waves that are being produced by the brain when the subject is alert and/or performing a task. For example, if one were mentally performing a test, such as deriving a solution to a mathematical problem, then the brain would be functioning in such a manner as to express a large amount of beta waves.

The theta waves, whose frequency is 4-8 cycles per second, on the other hand reflect the brain in the state of sleep or daydreaming, but awake. Therefore, we would tend to see a large amount of theta waves during these states. Consequently, if we measured the ratio of beta waves to theta waves, we would then have criteria for knowing if the brain is functioning primarily in a beta state, meaning alertness, or a theta state, indicating lack of focus on the tasks at hand.

Obviously, a beta-theta ratio is a significant tool, which can be used to measure the kind of brain function, which we are interested in knowing. One fact observed regarding the brain waves measured by the real-time EEG is that initially there was a difference between the waves of normal children compared to ADHD children. While brain waves from normal children were high in amounts of beta waves and low in the amounts of theta waves during waking hours, the reverse was true in the 2 children diagnosed with ADHD. In other words, ADHD children had higher amounts of theta waves as compared to beta waves.

Experimental Design and Procedures:
When the subjects initially entered the study, they were administered a T.O.V.A. test. The T.O.V.A. interpretation evaluates attention to stimuli in comparison to the norms, thereby measuring the degree of impulsivity, which is one of the symptoms of ADHD. This then detects the possible presence of ADHD.

The results, compared to the normal same-gender, same-age, and average I.Q. group, are reported as standard deviations and standard scores. Each subject was then evaluated on the real-time EEG. Their beta and theta brain waves were measured and their beta-theta ratios recorded.

Next, the subjects were randomly divided into three different groups with six persons per group. For each of the three groups, one of three essential oils was randomly selected. The intent was to administer that oil to the subject.

The first of these oils is Cedrus atlantica, common name Cedarwood; chosen because of its high concentration of sesquiterpenes making up 50% of its constituents, which improves oxygenation of the cells of the brain.

The second oil is Vetiveria zizanioides, common name Vetiver, whose action calms and balances the nervous system and at the same time stimulates the circulatory system.

The third oil is Lavandula angustifolia, common name Lavender, which has both a sedative as well as a stimulating action. It sedates part of the brain at the same time stimulating the limbic region of the brain.

Each subject in the study was given a glass bottle of the appropriate essential oil to administer at home.

Results:
Overview of Analysis Procedure: For each essential oil, the initial beta-theta ratios were compared with the post-treatment tests. The mean scores were compared. Next, the control data was compared in order to find any change from the first to the second real-time EEG.

The next test was the comparison of the overall T.O.V.A. test scores, both pre-treatment and post-treatment. Then the controls were compared for any change from first to second T.O.V.A. test.

The last comparison was between the pre-testing and post-testing changes of the treated groups compared to pre-testing and post-testing of subjects who were not treated, or controls.

Treatment Outcome:
The final numbers of subjects in the study shrank from thirty-four at the beginning of the study to thirty at the end of the study. Four of the treated group dropped out of the study, leaving the totals of each of the three groups of four subjects in the Vetiver group, four subjects in the Lavender group, and no change (maintained at six) in the Cedarwood group.

The reasons for the non-compliance were varied from one subject who developed a skin rash to another subject who moved out of the state during the study. The analyses revealed a significant improvement in the pre- and post-treatment Vetiver essential oil group. The improvement was 32%. A similar result was seen with the pre- and post- treatment of the Cedarwood essential oil group. The Lavender treated group showed no improvement between pre- and post-treatment testing.

When compared with the control group, the Vetiver treated group’s improvement was statistically significant. However, because of the relatively small sample and the extremely low-test scores in the pre-treated real-time EEG study of the Cedarwood group, the statistical analysis was skewed. What this means is that the results showing the improvement were not statistically significant when analyzed. This was true even though the improvement of the test results of pre-treatment compared to post-treatment subjects was quite notable in a positive way. The T.O.V.A. pre- and post-testing results revealed an overall improvement, indicating a reduction of the symptoms of ADHD. The data is provided in the following tables (listed at end of article).

Discussion:
This study examined the effectiveness of essential oils in the treatment of ADHD diagnosed children from the ages of six to fourteen years. Treatment outcome results reveal that the essential oil of Vetiver improves the brain activity and reduces the symptoms in ADHD diagnosed subjects. Similar results were found with the essential oil Cedarwood, although not statistically significant. This lack of significance could be the result of the relatively small number of subjects in this study. The Lavender group showed no apparent improvement after the treatment program.

The improvement of the subjects who were treated with the Vetiver and Cedarwood would have been greater had they not been compared to the change of the control group after their second testing was performed. Note that in Table 1, the control group had some improvement with regards to the beta-theta brain wave ratio. The control group, however, showed a lesser improvement than did the treatment group. This overall improvement in both groups obviously reflects the ability for the subjects to learn the function of the real-time EEG, thereby improving their brain wave response the second time that they were connected to the equipment. In spite of this minor improvement in the control group, which represented learned familiarity, when statistically analyzed and compared to the improvement of the subjects who were treated with the essential
oils, certainly in the case of Vetiver, the subjects scored much better in their post-testing versus pre-testing.

In addition, I received several letters from parents of the ADHD children stating that their behavior at home had improved for the better. In several cases, they also stated that school educators informed them that their performance was observed to improve in the classroom. The report cards in some of the subjects had reflected this improvement as well. Since these results were not included in the design of the study, they will not be included here, but is only mentioned as an unexpected improvement in the treated ADHD diagnosed children.

In summary, based on this study, I would not hesitate to recommend the use of the essential oil Vetiver in the treatment of children diagnosed as having ADHD. I would even consider using the essential oil Cedarwood in situations where Vetiver was not available or other cases in which Vetiver was not appropriate.

Certainly, the essential oil Vetiver proved to be the treatment of choice between the three different oils used in this study.

References
1. Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Summary
(August 1999). Technical Review: Number 3 (AHCPR Publication No. 99-
0049). Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
Also available: http://www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/adhdsutr.htm (accessed:
August 26, 2000).
2. Elia, J., et al. (1999). Treatment of attention-deficit-
hyperactivity disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 340(10):
780-788.
3. Purchon, Nerys, Cantele, Lora, The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, page 265.
4. Worwood, Valerie Ann, Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, page 114.



Adagio
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Adagio (ä-dä-jee-o) is an Italian word meaning "at ease." It is used to describe well-controlled, graceful movement.

Attention
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Supports mental activity, clarity, vitality, memory and concentration.
 

Cedarwood Atlas
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(Cedrus atlantica)
Soothing aroma used in perfume and cologne and supports healthy breathing, immune response, hair, scalp and skin.

Christofori
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 Calming and balancing blend to soothe stress and support mental clarity.

Dr. Hull's Mental Stim
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This uplifting blend is traditionally used to promote mental clarity and attention.

Focus
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Supports healthy breathing and mental clarity.

Peaceful
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A beautiful, calming and uplifting blend to soothe stress and promote restful sleep.
** Peaceful Spray instructions on detail page**

 

Potential
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Traditionally used to support mental clarity, brain function and soothe minor stress and nervous tension.

Purpose
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Traditionally used to support the endocrine and nervous system, mental clarity, brain function, vitality and to soothe minor stress and nervous tension.

Valerian
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(Valeriana officinalis)
Tranquilizing properties, eases sleep disturbances, indigestion and tension, promotes restful sleep. Most agree that Valerian has a strong 'unpleasant' aroma and it is used sparingly in blends.

 

 

 

Vetiver
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(Vetiveria zizanioides)
Supports healthy skin, promotes restful sleep, soothes stress and minor muscle and joint discomfort.

MAILING LIST

May the Lord guide you continually, preserving your health and watering your life when you are dry. May you be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring full of hope for your future in His care.
From Isaiah 58:11 & Jeremiah 29:11