The Best Essential Oils for ADHD 

In a world where focus feels like a fleeting luxury and the constant hum of distractions threaten to derail our every thought, those living with ADHD face an even greater challenge. 

The restless energy, the ceaseless mental chatter, and the ever-present struggle to find a moment of calm amidst the chaos – these are the battles fought daily by individuals with ADHD and their loved ones.

Traditional treatments can sometimes fall short, leaving families searching for alternatives and desperate to uncover a natural solution that can bring tranquility to the turbulent storm of ADHD.

What if we told you there was a holistic alternative to address these frustrating, debilitating symptoms? There is – essential oils! 

You’ll learn exactly how aromatherapy can help you live a more focused life where you’re able to tune out the noise with ease. We’ll share some of our personal favorite oils and blends for ADHD treatment, along with insights on actually using them. First, let’s go over a brief introduction to this condition.

ADHD Overview: Symptoms, Traditional Treatment, and More

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults. ADHD affects approximately 5-10% of children and 2-5% of adults worldwide. While ADHD is often thought of as a childhood disorder, it can persist into adulthood, and some people are not diagnosed until later in life.

Typically, an individual’s ADHD either exhibits more inattentive symptoms, or more hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms. Inattentive symptoms include difficulty paying attention to details, forgetfulness, inability to follow instruction, and a tendency to lose things. Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity include restlessness, interruptions, and fidgeting. 

Traditional treatment methods for ADHD include medication, such as stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall, which can help increase focus and attention. Although these drugs are fairly effective, they both come with some pretty intense side effects and the long-term safety, particularly when prescribed to children, still isn’t fully understood. Behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be effective in managing symptoms and helping individuals develop strategies for coping with their ADHD.

Can You Use Essential Oil as Treatment for ADHD?

Research into using essential oil for ADHD is still in the early phases, but many essential oils are already showing promise in their ability to help treat ADHD symptoms and manage symptoms of ADHD in adults. 

Introducing the Best Essential Oil for ADHD: Natural Oils and Blends to Help You Live Life Without Limits

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is perhaps the best essential oil for ADHD. Lavender oil promotes sleep, which is helpful for ADHD patients as many of them, especially adults, suffer from insomnia. Lavender oil has also been shown to have relaxing and soothing properties, which can help with the symptoms of hyperactivity. There are many different ways to use lavender essential oil, from adding it to a diffuser to putting a few drops in a cup of tea with honey to help relax body and mind.

Vetiver

Vetiver essential oil has shown promising results in children with ADHD. In a 2012 study, children with ADHD were given vetiver essential oil to inhale for 30 days, while another group (also with ADHD) didn’t receive the treatment. Children were tested on their focus, attention, and impulsivity at the beginning and end of the 30 day period. 

The results showed that, for the children who received the vetiver oil, there was a 32% increase in their performance. This oil can be used to calm overactive minds and help children focus on individual tasks. 

Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil is well known for its soothing, calming effects. Chamomile oil has been clinically shown to reduce generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which many sufferers of ADHD also experience. It’s also one of the best essential oils for focus, as it helps to calm the mind and reduce the effects of stressful distractions. 

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang essential oil has incredible calming properties for both the body and the mind. In one study, patients who rubbed a ylang ylang oil solution on their skin felt calmer and more relaxed. Not only that, but their blood pressure and skin temperature actually decreased as well. The soothing benefits of ylang ylang oil could be equally helpful for ADHD patients. 

Orange

Not only does orange essential oil smell amazing, but it also has a tremendous amount of benefits. One of the benefits of orange essential oil is that it can improve your mood and promote feelings of calm. In a study performed in different sets of patients waiting in a dental office (an environment we can all agree is pretty stressful!), patients who inhaled orange essential oil had lower anxiety levels and were more calm than those who did not.

Given that many ADHD patients experience high anxiety, the calming effects of orange oil could prove to be quite beneficial. 

Sandalwood

Sandalwood essential oil is known for the amazing benefits it can bring to the skin, but it could also be effective for treating ADHD. Cortisol is a well-known hormone that circulates in the bloodstream, and is a marker of high stress levels. In a study performed in adults, participants who inhaled sandalwood oil lowered their cortisol levels (also known as the “stress hormone”) and blood pressure. 

Adults with ADHD may have higher cortisol levels, so sandalwood oil could be a good option to help reduce stress levels and promote feelings of calm. 

Frankincense

Frankincense Boswellia trees are tapped to obtain aromatic hardened gum resins that are used to prepare frankincense essential oil. The best frankincense oil can be used to rejuvenate the skin and boost the immune system, but may also be of benefit to ADHD patients. 

Frankincense oil has been suggested to enhance focus, promote calmness, and potentially alleviate certain negative emotions commonly experienced by those with ADHD. 

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is one of the most versatile oils available. In fact, there are more than 10 uses for peppermint oil, including for joint relief, to treat allergies, and as a breath freshener. There are several scientific studies that suggest that peppermint oil plays an important role in improving focus and alertness, which is something that many ADHD patients struggle with. Peppermint is also one of the best essential oils for energy boosts!

Patchouli

Patchouli essential oil comes from the patchouli plant, which is a species belonging to the same family as mint. Patchouli has a strong scent that’s often described as woody or earthy. When inhaled as a vapor, patchouli oil has been shown to have a sedative effect in mice, which may aid in soothing the overactive minds of those with ADHD. 

Rosemary 

Rosemary is a herb that we are all familiar with, but we are only just beginning to understand the benefits of rosemary essential oil. When combined with a carrier oil, rosemary oil is one of the best topical essential oils due to the relaxing, soothing effect it has when massaged into the skin. Rosemary has also been shown to improve mental focus, making it perfect for those with ADHD and one of the most effective essential oils for back to school season. 

Essential Oil Blends for ADHD

While single essential oils can be very powerful, it’s usually even more effective if you combine several essential oils to create an essential oil blend for ADHD. Each oil works synergistically to boost the effects of the other oils in the blend. Although it’s simple to create your own blend by mixing essential oils, you can also use pre-mixed ADHD essential oil blends. 

If you’re wondering where to get started with an essential oil blend for ADHD, try this oil blend designed to help kids focus, or you can try a concentrate essential oil blend made from patchouli leaf, ylang ylang flower, sandalwood, chamomile flower, and more. Another option is a focus essential oil blend that has rosemary, lemon, peppermint, and other oils to help boost your focus and productivity. 

Why Get Your ADHD Essential Oils at Revive?

When it comes to using essential oils for your health, nothing is more important than choosing high-quality oils, sourced from natural ingredients and extracted safely to create a pure, concentrated essential oil that’s both safe and effective. At REVIVE, that’s exactly what we do. 

All of our essential oil products are 100% pure, unrefined, therapeutic-grade, and never tested on animals. We also source all of our essential oils from sustainable locations around the world, before steam distilling (at low temperatures to preserve therapeutic benefits) and bottling everything here in the US. 

Not only are all of the essential oils mentioned above available at REVIVE, but we also stock USDA organic essential oils and CBD essential oil. If you want to start mixing and combining your own essential oils, find an essential oils kit to get you started. REVIVE is also an essential oil wholesale distributor, with unbeatable prices for large quantities of therapeutic-grade essential oils.

How to Use Essential Oil for ADHD Treatment

Topical Application

One of the most common ways to use essential oils for ADHD is to apply the oil to your skin, topically. It’s important to know that some essential oils are too concentrated and strong to be applied to the skin directly and can cause burning or stinging. Be sure you know whether the essential oil you wish to use can be applied topically safely on its own.

If not, essential oils can be diluted in carrier oils for essential oils, like coconut oil, aloe, or grapeseed oil. Once diluted, you can massage essential oils into your temples, the back of your neck, or anywhere else you like. 

You can also try using an essential oil roll-on, which is similar to a roll-on deodorant stick. With a roll on, you can easily apply essential oils (diluted in carrier oils) to your skin, and it’s a fast, portable way to use essential oils topically. If you’re feeling adventurous, REVIVE has everything you need to make your very own essential oil roll on!

Aromatherapy

The other option is to inhale essential oil vapors using a diffuser. To use a diffuser for essential oils, you just need to fill the diffuser with water and add a few drops of your oil (or oils) of choice. Once you turn the diffuser on, the oil will slowly vaporize and you can inhale the benefits while you’re working, relaxing on the couch, or even sleeping. 

More Advice on Managing ADHD Symptoms

Managing ADHD symptoms isn’t easy. As well as essential oils and traditional medications that are often prescribed for ADHD, there are a few other things you do that might help to manage your ADHD symptoms: 

• When working or trying to focus, remove yourself from distractions like TV or your phone
• Keep a detailed “to-do list” so you don’t forget about any important tasks
• Explore apps for time management as they can have a big impact on your productivity
• Take breaks whenever you feel your mind wandering too much
• Exercise regularly and fill your diet with vegetables, fruits, and whole grains

Some studies have also suggested that mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, or simply sitting in a silent room can also be helpful in managing ADHD symptoms. 

Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Best Essential Oils for ADHD

In this article, we’ve covered everything there is to know about essential oils and ADHD. You can use these essential oils on their own, or create an ADHD essential oil blend to maximize the benefits for your mind and body. 

All of the best essential oils for ADHD can be found right here at REVIVE. Using natural ingredients and a distilling process that retains the health benefits of each oil, we create a final product that’s 100% pure. 

Try REVIVE’s essential oils today to treat your ADHD symptoms the natural way.