ADHD and Essential Oils Terry Friedmann, MD

ADHD One of the most frequently diagnosed disorders in young children and teenagers Over 3 million children are being treated for ADHD. Treatments include: Ritalin Dexadrine Behavior management Counseling Holistic Approach

Symptoms Inattention Impulsivity Hyperactivity Shorter than usual attention span Impulsivity Cannot control impulses Hyperactivity Periodic over activity

Consequences Poor school performance Low self esteem Underdeveloped social skills Lifelong habits that can translate into an underachieving adult Never reach potential

Ritalin: New Recreational Drug Ritalin has several side effects Psychosis Mania Disrupting growth hormone secretion Drug abuse and addiction Ritalin is being ground up and inhaled by street drug users as an illegal “high”

Essential Oil Connection In Feb 2000 Dr. Friedmann began testing 20 children using three essential oils Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) Vetiver (Vetiveria Zizanioides Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) These oils are among the highest in sesquiterpenes

Hypothalamus Essential oils stimulate the hypothalamus/pituitary axis through the limbic structures of the brain This allows modulation of dopamine, serotonin, catecholamine, and other hormone levels

Study Design Two groups of children between age 6 and 14 were randomly selected 16 controls who received no treatment 18 subjects who were treated with one of the three essential oils Cedarwood Lavender Vetiver

Testing Design Theta and beta waves were measured by real-time EEG (electroencephalograph) Beta waves measure alertness, mental concentration (13-30 cycles per sec.) Theta waves are active when the brain is asleep or daydreaming Severity of ADHD was measured by TOVA score

Essential Oils Subjects were asked to inhale the essential oil three times a day The open bottle of oil held next to the nostrils Three deep inhalations Inhalation Therapy continued for 30 days Following the protocol, EEGs and TOVAs were remeasured

Data Analysis Data was collected and analyzed by Dr. Dennis Eggert at the Center for Statistical Research at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah

Results Dramatic Changes Noted: Vetiver—34% improvement Cederwood—24% improvement* Lavender—17% improvement* *Not statistically significant