HYPERACTIVITY IN CHILDREN-ESSENTIAL OILS & SUPPLEMENTS
One of the most effective approaches to treating ADD and ADHD - without drugs - is the use of pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils per a study conducted in 2001 by Dr. Terry Friedman that compared the effects of lavender, vetiver, and cedarwood essential oils in improving focus and learning in ADD and ADHD kids.
Lavender Essential Oil Massage 2 drops of Lavender with 8 drops of Sweet Almond Oil on the child's feet, shoulders or chest can help them relax and sleep more easily. Lavender is not only an essential oil which is calming but also an energy balancer which makes it universal for all. I believe Laveneder is mild enought that you dont need to dilute unless for babies under the age of 3yrs old.
Cedarwood Essential Oil: is considered a holy healing oils in the Christian tradition. It is high in sesquiterpenes, the chemical compounds which stimulate brain function and mental synergy. This oil can be applied on the forehead and neck, inhaled, and massaged on the brain stem at the base of the skull. Remember to skin patch test first on the inside of the arm before using. Also cut the essential oil with a carrier oil such as Sweet Almond oil-about 2 drops of Cedarwood. Cedarwood's great benefit lies in its ability to calm and sooth nerves. It relieves skin and hair problems and is important in easing conditions of a respiratory nature. It also clears urinary infections, rheumatism and arthritis. This clean smelling, balsamic oil does not only help calm and balance energy, but also promotes spirituality, while helping to clear the respiratory system of excess phlegm and catarrh. It sorts out urinary tract infections, as well as bladder and kidney disorders, while improving oily skin and clearing up dandruff.
Helpful Tips For ADD Attention Deficit Disorder & ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Remove from the diet, sugar, artificial sweeteners (Aspartame!!), and processed foods, high fructose corn syrup. Be sure the child is hydrated. Protein at breakfast is important to maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day to keep symptoms of ADD & ADHD to a minimum.
The following are some recommendations of different essential oils that have been studied for their effectiveness in helping to combat ADHD symptoms and causes.
German Chamomile – Possess properties similar to a serotonin and noradrenaline reup take inhibitor, SNRI, which has been used successfully in pharmaceutical treatment of depression and some ADHD cases. It also includes several compounds that have sedative effects.
Ylang Ylang – A study found that it produced sedative effects measured by the decrease in pulse rates and blood pressure, and also significantly increased attentiveness and alertness after inhalation of the essential oil. Ylang ylang would be a great alternative treatment to use for hyperactivity as well as the inattentive behavior in ADHD children.
Lavender – This oil has been widely studied for its calming effects and one study reported that lavender produced calming effects, improved mood, and concentration in test subjects. Lavender has been shown in studies to cause calming affects via the main constituents of linalool and linalyl acetate. Both produce clinical sedative effects.
Cilantro – There is very supportive evidence in using cilantro as a natural way to address the concern with high levels of heavy metals found in relation to behavioral disorders. Cilantro essential oil exerts highly anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective and lead-detoxifying properties. One study evaluated the lead-induced changes in test subjects and found that administration of cilantro extracts protected against the deposits of lead in the body. Another study confirmed as well the lead protective properties of cilantro and found a significant decrease in the lead concentration in the body and the study concluded that cilantro induced suppressive activity on lead most likely via the chelation of lead. Cilantro was also found to remove mercury from an aqueous solution by binding to mercury.
Malaleuca – Melaleuca is highly regarded for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. Inhalation of it was also found to improve the immune system by increasing the activity of the immune cells. This essential oil seems to hold a variety of solutions for treatment in ADHD due to the anti-inflammatory effects, aide to the immune system by increasing the activity and the immunoglobulin cells, which is compromised from gastro-intestinal problems, and high anti-fungal and anti-bacterial affects that are needed to suppress the clostridia and candida albicans overgrowth found high psychiatric patients.
*Vetiver essential oil was found to be the most effective in observations and brain wave scans showing improvements in 100% of subjects.
* Cedarwood essential oil was 83% effective.
*Lavender essential oil was 60% effective.
REMINDER, I am a rep for Secrets of Eden and you can use my Promo Code on EVERY order to receive 20% discount! PROMO CODE - VANESSA, WEBSITE--- www.secretsofeden.com
Lavender with Secrets of Eden 15ml - $15.95
Lavender with Young Living 15ml - $30.92
Lavender with DoTerra 15ml - $28.00
Cedarwood with Secrets of Eden 15ml - $6.95
Cedarwood with Young Living 15ml - $14.80
Cedarwood with DoTerra 15ml - $17.33
Vetiver with Secrets of Eden – 15ml -$26.00
Vetiver with Young Living 5ml - $27.90 (note- this size bottle with YL is only 5ml)
Vetiver with DoTerra 15ml - $46.00
Vetiver- Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) has a heavy, earthy fragrance similar to patchouli with a touch of lemon. Vetiver oil is psychologically grounding, calming, and stabilizing. One of the oils that is highest in sesquiterpenes, vetiver was studied by Dr. Terry Friedmann for improving children's behavior. Vetiver may help when coping with stress and to recover from emotional trauma and shock.Vetiver has an approximate ORAC of 742,792 (TE/L). TE/L is expressedas micromole Trolox equivalent per liter.
How Magnesium Calms Hyperactivity Symptoms
Magnesium relaxes the mind. The body uses magnesium to facilitate sending messages throughout our nervous system. Magnesium is also used to calm the nervous system, which is doubly important in children with hyperactivity disorders. With the right amount of magnesium present in the body, children can think clearer and concentrate better. Magnesium is also a key factor in the production of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter that provides a feeling of calm and well-being. Low levels of serotonin area associated with irritability, moodiness and depression.
Magnesium relaxes the body. Magnesium is essential for the relaxation of muscle fibers. Without this essential mineral, spasms and twitches are a common problem. Magnesium helps muscles in the body relax and function properly without disturbances. When the body feels calm, it is easier for hyperactive children to behave calmly.
Of course, there are dozens of other health benefits that come with getting plenty of magnesium, and here are just a few examples:
- Magnesium is essential in regulating blood sugar, which can prevent highs and lows.
- It helps absorb and utilize other important minerals and nutrients.
-It activates enzymes that manage energy production, nutrient absorption, hormone production, and much more.
- It's a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage.
All of these factors can improve the overall health of our children and help manage conditions like ADD and hyperactivity.
Find Foods Rich in Natural Magnesium
The best way to increase your child's magnesium intake is through food. Roughly fifty percent of the magnesium found in food is absorbed and utilized by the body, which is a much higher percentage than magnesium in supplement form. Choose organic foods whenever possible,as organic practices often increase magnesium content in foods. Here is a list of foods naturally rich in magnesium:
- Kelp
-Green vegetables (like broccoli)
- Whole-grain wheat, rice, oats,and rye
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Brazil nuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Molasses
- Brewer's yeast
- Buckwheat
- Peanuts
-Pecans
- Tofu
Magnesium Supplements for Children
Although a nutritious diet rich in magnesium is suggested in all cases, most parents of hyperactive children find it helpful to supplement with additional magnesium. The easiest way to give a child magnesium is to use magnesium citrate powder or liquid form, which can mix easily in pure fruit juice without much influence on the taste.
How much magnesium a child should take varies, but the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of magnesium for children is:
Ages 1-3: 80mg
Ages 4-8: 130 mg
Ages 9-13: 240 mg
The common method is to give a child no more than their RDA in supplement form(magnesium from food does not have to be limited at all). But some experts like Dr. Leo Galland, author of Super immunity for Kids, say hyperactive children may need as much as 6 mg per pound of body weight per day.
In either case, start at a low dose and increase over a period of days to avoid digestive upsets. Dividing the full amount into 2-4 doses per day is recommended for optimal absorption. Loose stools may be a sign that a child is taking too much magnesium overall, or simply that the amount needs to be divided into smaller doses. If the child is already taking divided doses and still experiences frequent loose stools, then the dosage level should be lowered.
However if you buy the liquid mineral supplement from Secrets of Eden, it is a teaspoon a day in glass of water or juice. The above doses are for tablet form which would need to be an all natural with no additives and I have not researched which companies carry the tablet form. The over the counter supplements at your local store are not going to be the purest form.
Another way to slightly boost children's magnesium intake is to add a cupful of Epsom salts to their evening bath. This has an incredibly calming,detoxifying effect that is especially beneficial for hyperactive children.
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Magnesium- Ionic Colloidal Mineral 8oz --- $22.95
Magnesium insufficiency is common in the U.S. and manifests as:
Anxiety,confusion, heart attack, hyperactivity, insomnia, nervousness,muscular irritability, restlessness, weakness. 75 to 85% of diets deficient: average diet contains 50 to 60% of RDA*
Magnesium is called the "anti-stress mineral" because it aids in relaxing nerves and relieving daily tension. It also assists digestion, activates enzymes* important for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and modulates the electrical potential across all cell membranes.
A teaspoon per day in a glass of water or juice should be helpful to anyone wishing to supplement their diets with mineral.
My recommendation would be to start with one or two of these oils and see how they work for your child. One oil may work better than another for each individual body. Lavender is an all time favorite and very effective for numerous things. I use it every night on the bottom of my feet at bedtime for a good night's sleep! Read up on all the ways Lavender heals so many different things. It sounds to me like Cedarwood and Vetiver are great for this issue as well. I would definitely use the magnesium mineral as well as the oils.
For any questions, use my contact page on here or email me at [email protected] and find me on FB at Vanessa Beamon Foster in Corpus Christi, TX and then find my page called Essential Oils for Healthy Living! I love helping people find natural alternatives to healthy living!!
SECRETS OF EDEN----- www.secretsofeden.com 20% discount with my PROMO CODE-Vanessa
God Bless and Happy Health!! ♥ ~Vanessa