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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.
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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 • 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