Friday, February 22, 2013

Oils to Help Reduce ADD and ADHD Symptoms

If you or your child finds it difficult to concentrate because of having ADD or ADHD symptoms, there are a range of oils you should consider. In a previous post I spoke about oils that help with concentration, and many of these also help with ADD and ADHD, especially the Brainpower and Clarity blends. Both Brainpower and Clarity have been highly effective in helping people to reduce ADD and ADHD symptoms.

Here are some other oils which are also effective for people who suffer from ADD and ADHD.



Cedarwood


One of the most ancient of all the essential oils, Cedarwood helps to oxygenates the brain, resulting in clarity of thought. This oil comes from the Cedar tree (see picture below) and stimulates limbic region of the brain which helps to balance emotions. It also stimulates the pinneal gland which helps regulate melatonin. Moreover, Cedarwood has a calming effect, especially when diffused into the air.

The Essential Oils Pocket Reference has this to say about using Cedarwood to help people with ADD and ADHD type symptoms:
Terry Friedmann, MD, found in clinical tests that this oil was able to successfully treat ADD and ADHD (attention deficit disorders) in children. It is recognized for its calming, purifying properties.
A Cedar Tree
Because I am trying to hold down four different jobs while simultaneously doing a PhD, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and depressed when I sit down to work. That's when I'll diffuse six or seven drops of Cederwood into the air. It isn't magic, but it does help me to feel comforted and also to focus on my work. Sometimes I'll just apply the oil directly on my skin for a similar effect.

I sometimes also like to use Cedarwood just for the wonderful smell. It makes my entire office smell like a forest! Like citrus fresh, it is also a wonderful air freshener.


Vetiver

 

This single oil is psychologically grounding, calming and stabilizing. It thus extremely helpful for centering and focusing.

In 2001 Terry Friedmann, MD, completed pioneering studies using essential oils to combat ADD and ADHD. He was able to achieve clinically significant results in 60 days. Vetiver was one of the oils he used.

Frankincense

Eastern Orthodox priests use incense as part of their worship.
The different incense blends all include Frankincense oil as one of
the key ingredients.

I have written elsewhere about the wonderful properties of Frankincense, which is my favorite of all the oils.

For now, suffice to say that like Cedarwood it also stimulates the limbic system of the brain which is the center of memory, in addition to stimulating the hypothalamus, pineal and, pituitary glands.

Some of the adjectives which describe this oil are

  • elevating
  • centering
  • comforting
  • helping to focus the mind
  • overcoming stress and dispair
  • combating depression

Read more about Frankincense here.

Lavender 

 

Young Living's Lavender fields in Northern Idaho
In research conducted in 2001 at Osaka Kyoiku university, lavender was found to increase alertness and reduce mental stress. It improves concentration and researchers have found that inhaling lavender increased beta waves in the brain, helping the brain to relax at the same time as improving cognitive performance.

Among the many benefits of Lavender is that it helps with calming and concentration.

This was another oil that Terry Friedmann, MD, found could reduce ADD and ADHD symptoms.

Awaken (essential oil blend)


This is a blend which contains the following single oils:
  • ylang ylang
  • bergamot
  • geranium
  • rosewood
  • lemon oil
  • mandarin
  • jasmine
  • Roman chamomile
  • palmarosa
  • rose
  • Melissa
  • Frankincense
  • Sandalwood
  • Angelica
  • Lavender
  • Helichrysum
  • Neroli
  • spruce
  • tangerine
  • black pepper
  • juniper
  • anise
  • blue tansy
  • orange
  • angelica
  • hyssop
  • Spanish sage
  • palmarosa

This blend helps the brain counteract obsessions, anxiety, change in routine and fear or dread of a future task. It is thus very effective with people who have autistic symptoms, or who suffer from ADD or ADHD. It is also particularly effective for someone approaching a task with anxiety or dread. It stimulates right brain creativity, amplifying the function of the pineal and pituitary glands thus balancing the energy centers of the body. It can help a person move past emotional barriers that prevent progress and focus for the task ahead.

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To purchase these or any other essential oils, click on the tab below:

 

Further Reading

 

Boosting Concentration with Essential Oils

Fighting Colds, Flu & Other Infections With Essential Oils 

First Aid with Essential Oils

What is 'therapeutic grade'?

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