| There are many natural approaches to treating | | | | improved. The EEG scans showed that vetiver was |
| attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Aside from | | | | able to improve brain wave activity by 100%. Children |
| making dietary adjustments, going through a | | | | from the vetiver group also had noticeable |
| detoxification protocol, and taking supplements, you | | | | improvement in behavior and school performance. |
| can also restore balance to your child's mental and | | | | The EEG scans also revealed that cedarwood was |
| emotional state through aromatherapy. Although no | | | | 83% effective, and that lavender improved brain |
| medical doctor would recommend the use of | | | | wave activity by only 60%. |
| essential oils to help treat ADHD, you'd be surprised | | | | Although there is a need for more research to |
| at the amount of scientific research that shows how | | | | explore the efficacy of aromatherapy in ADHD |
| effective this method is. | | | | management, there is no harm in using plant |
| Essential oils are distilled from flower petals and plant | | | | essences to supplement other natural therapies. They |
| leaves to obtain their natural therapeutic properties. | | | | are readily available and inexpensive, and have no |
| The chemicals contained in plant essences can | | | | harmful side effects (unless your child is allergic to a |
| stimulate healing because they are readily absorbed | | | | particular aroma). The vetiver essential oil Dr. |
| into the bloodstream and lungs. When diffused in a | | | | Friedman used in his study can be purchased from his |
| vaporizer, inhaled from a tissue, or added to | | | | website. Aside from vetiver, other essential oils that |
| bathwater, essential oil droplets send signals to the | | | | can calm your child's ADHD include: |
| brain's limbic system, the command center for | | | | - Lavender - A popular essence with a sweet floral |
| memory and emotions, and the cerebral cortex, the | | | | fragrance, lavender is used primarily for its sedative |
| processing center for higher functions like thought | | | | and relaxing effects. |
| and logic. This is why aromatherapy can bring balance | | | | - Cedarwood - This essence has the highest amount |
| to our moods and a sense of well-being. | | | | of sesquiterpenes, a chemical constituent that |
| Aromatherapy is used mainly to relieve stress and | | | | increases the flow of blood to the nervous system, |
| induce sleep, and for skin care, but researchers have | | | | stimulating and nourishing the brain at the same time. |
| been exploring the use of essential oils as a potent | | | | - Frankincense - This essential oil is known to alleviate |
| natural remedy for ADHD. In 2001, a pioneer in holistic | | | | anxiety, depression, and some cases of emotional |
| medicine named Dr. Terry Friedman designed a clinical | | | | trauma and brain injury. |
| trial to see which essential oil is most effective in | | | | To make sure your child receives the therapeutic |
| treating the symptoms of ADHD in children. For two | | | | benefits of aromatherapy, purchase only 100% pure |
| years, Dr. Friedman observed a small group of ADHD | | | | essential oils. Most aromatherapy products on the |
| children aged six to fourteen, dividing them into three | | | | market are inferior to therapeutic-grade essential oils, |
| groups. Each group received a different kind of | | | | because they have been contaminated by solvents |
| essential oil: lavender, vetiver, or cedarwood. Each | | | | through poor pressing. And like all natural remedies, |
| child also received regular EEG scans and TOVA | | | | aromatherapy alone will not treat your child's disorder; |
| screening for the period of two years. At the end of | | | | it should be a component of a holistic treatment plan |
| the study, Dr. Friedman was able to obtain an | | | | for ADHD. |
| objective measure of how much the children had | | | | |