1. ADHD and Essential Oils
Terry Friedmann, MD

2. 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

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

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

5. 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”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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