I’ve been reading and hearing a lot about essential oils lately. I’ve actually used them myself for more years than I can count.
Really good quality oils have therapeutic benefits beyond their wonderful smell. And while there are blends and other oils out there that could be useful for your ADHD symptoms, I’m just going to concentrate on three for now.
Lavender is a staple in my house. I’ve always loved the smell and have used it often to aid with insomnia. Lavender is also calming and helps with anxiety and depression. When it comes to ADHD, lavender is most effective for hyperactivity.
Cedar wood smells absolutely divine. When my husband uses it, I just sit near him and breathe in! Like many essential oils and herbs, cedar wood is best at calming, promoting sleep, and reducing anxiety.
Vetiver has been generating a lot of talk lately, especially when it comes to ADHD.
If you do any research on it, you are sure to come up with references to a study done by Dr. Terry Friedman that produced quite unbelievable results when it came to vetiver and ADHD. Many blogs will tell you it was published in the American Medical Association’s journal. This is not true. It is actually an unpublished paper that Dr. Friedman sells on his site where he promotes the sale of essential oils.
That is not to diminish the properties of vetiver, however.
While there are no scientific studies to prove the effectiveness of vetiver, there is a lot of mom evidence, and sometimes that’s even better.
A lot of moms with Autistic children report success using vetiver. Those with ADHD reported feeling calmer and more focused, although it was noted that the smell is not for everyone.
For more information about this, see this wonderful article at Moonbeams and Eco-Dreams.
If you decide to try any of these essential oils, I recommend that you buy a good quality oil without spending too much. You want to make sure that it works for you before you make a bigger investment.
Also, be sure to look for a carrier oil to blend the oils. Something light like coconut oil or grape seed. I have even used castor oil for my skin.
Some oils can react with the skin and even burn it if they are applied straight from the bottle. Since I’m assuming that this is new to you, use caution and mix them with a carrier oil.
Good places to apply them are on the soles of your feet and the back of your neck. You can reapply as needed. Vetiver in particular can be irritating to the nasal passages after continued use, so don’t sniff it directly.
You can also use a diffuser to atomize the oils into the air in your home.
If you decide to try any of these oils, or have had success with others, please share!
Thanks Brenda- You reinforced for me the value of Lavender oil. Will check it out again.
Carole - essential oils really are amazing. I have a few blends for relaxation and they never fail to surprise me at how well they work.