ADD / ADHD and essential oils

A doterra user, Jaime compiled the following information as part of the Using Essential Oils for Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Autism and Gut Issues class that she offers.

Jaime particularly recommends the following five doTERRA oils for children with ADHD / ADD:

• Balance – I use this oil before we do our homeschooling each day for focus and attention. Rubbing it up the neck and the base of the skull and a dab on the third eye point. We also use Balance before bed at night. Detoxifying, promotes courage and self-esteem.
• Lavender – this oil is recommended for almost every topic I covered in the class I taught. It is great for focus and attention, anxiety, sleep issues, reduce inflammation, meltdowns and helps in rashes. We use it everynight either on the bottoms of the feet, in our bath, backrub or on the base of the skull and neck. I also use it before going out in public since my daughter still can become overwhelmed and upset in big crowds. Recently I started using it for her before her social group class and immediately she was paying better attention, more calm and actually playing with the other kids.
• Frankincense - this oil is top of my list for anyone. Stimulates limbic system of the brain. I use this oil nightly on my daughters feet for calming, focus and improves inflammation in her body. I take it internally daily. It is analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic and sedative. Frankincense oil improves the healthy production of white blood cells and boosts the immune system.
• Vetiver – focus, calm, anxiety, depression, insomnia, skin care and healing, nervousness, stress,. Diffusing vetiver essential oil may help relieve stress and also from emotional shock and trauma. A natural tranquilizer, can help induce a restful sleep. It is also helpful for a congested liver and pancreas. It is very grounding and can be used at night if you have a child who walks in their sleep or seems very fidgety while sleeping. Pairs well with lavender and clary sage.
• In Tune – Helps restore focus and increase ability to stay on task, promotes clarity of thought and increases alertness and centering thought processes. 

Jaime's story 
I homeschool my 5 1/2 year old daughter. When in school she had no focus at all and wouldn't sit down to listen to stories. I took her out a couple months ago and at first it was a big struggle for me to get her to pay attention or even answer my questions at time. 

I have been using these oils on my clients for over 4 yrs now and then on myself and family for sleep, energy, gut issues etc. I had never looked at them for focus/ADHD issues, I started looking into it and ordered In Tune and I already had the rest of them. 

I still remember the first day I put the InTune up her spine on her neck and the triangles behind the ears and then massaged her and let her smell it, we also did in the diffuser balance while we were doing our work that day. She was more focused and was actually interested in what I was showing her and wanted to do her writing by herself (usually I would hold her hand and help her trace). I thought it maybe was a coincidence but then we did it the next day and the next and got more done than we had the last previous weeks. At night I started doing frankincense and vetiver on her feet as well as lavender. 

Now we also do lemon, peppermint for her to inhale or I diffuse if she is feeling lethargic or tired. I had great results with lavender for her before she would go to her social group. She would usually be hyper and wouldn't participate, running around doing her own thing. She was paying better attention, more calm and actually playing with the other kids the first time we did it, I rubbed it on her neck and feet before we left the house. 

ADD/ADHD Essential Oils

• Balance, clary sage, cerdarwood, frankincense, lavender, rosemary, peppermint, lemon, Serenity, vetiver, ylang ylang and In Tune.
• You can put all of these oils on your child's feet or on a terra-cotta pendent to smell these oils throughout the day.

In Tune Oil Blend

• This is a blend of essential oils carefully selected for their ability to enhance focus and support healthy thought processes. The oils amyris, patchouli, frankincense, lime, ylang ylang, sandalwood (Hawaiian) and Roman Chamomile were selected for their ability to enhance focus and support healthy thought processes.
• The technique for applying In Tune: roll it up the spine and rub it on the triangle on two points at the base of the neck behind the ears, then massage it in.

Focus

• Vetiver Oil or Frankincense Oil carried with the child during the day can help them if they find themselves loosing focus or calm. Clay necklaces with the preferred oil or applying some oil to the area of the hand between the thumb and first finger allows an easy quick technique to inhale during a busy school day.

For improved concentration

• Apply vetiver to the feet, focusing on the big toe. You can also use a necklace with a pendant that will absorb the oil that can be smelled all day.

Hyperactivity

• Diffuse Roman chamomile and lavender or apply on the insides of the wrists or behind the ears.

Frustration, impatience and anger

• Balance, Serenity, frankincense, lavender and ylang ylang – Apply to feet, back of the neck, behind the knees and diffuse into the air.

Study

There was a case study published in the American Medical Association Journal by Dr. Terry Friedmann M.D. that found significant results when children who had previously been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD inhaled essential oils of vetiver, lavender and cedarwood. The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the children’s brain waves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns. 

The final results were:

• Lavender increased performance by 53%
• Cedarwood increased performance by 83%
• Vetiver increased performance by 100%

Memory/Concentration

• The part of the brain responsible for interpreting aromas is closely tied to the part of the brain responsible for long term memory and emotions. Studies have demonstrated the ability of essential oil aromas such as rosemary and peppermint to help enhance memory and alertness in human trials. 
• Try inhaling rosemary, peppermint, or frankincense when studying or learning; then inhale the same aroma when you need to recall the information. 
• Try diffusing oils such as lavender, lemon, or rosemary to help aid concentration. We really find that lemon helps our six year old son concentrate during homework time 

dōTERRA Essential oils does not prevent, treat or cure disease. Your lifestyle choices can help prevent disease. Your doctor treats symptoms and fixes broken parts. Your body cure disease!