People with ADHD are often overstimulated, have trouble paying attention and staying on task, and have a hard time focusing.

Luckily, essential oils for focus can help!

Essential oils for ADHD are an easy natural solution to the common symptoms of inattentiveness and hyperactivity without the side effects of prescription medication.

In this blog post, you will discover more about essential oils, how they work, their number of benefits, and what essential oils are good for ADHD.

So, let’s get started.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils (EOs) are natural aromatic compounds found in seeds, bark, flowers, and other parts of plants.

They are extracted from the plant through distillation and can be used for many purposes, such as aromatherapy, massage therapy, skincare, and more. 

How do essential oils work?

Essential oils have many purposes, but essential oils for ADHD help calm the mind and body.

It is believed that essential oil molecules are able to interact with neurotransmitters in our brain cells through olfactory stimulation or inhalation, which helps us feel better.

There’s also little evidence available regarding how essential oil molecules act as a treatment for ADHD, but essential oils definitely have an impact on emotions and behavior.

What are the benefits of essential oils?

Besides smelling good, essential oils have various benefits, and here’s a list to name a few of these advantages:

• essential oils promote relaxation; they can help to combat stress or overwhelming feelings.
• Essential oils may reduce hyperactivity in children through the use of calming scents like lavender oil, which is known to have a calming effect on anxious or stressed-out kids.
• Essential oils can help you stay focused and alert.  
• Essential oils can be used as a replacement for over-the-counter medication and help reduce hyperactivity without the adverse side effects.
• Essential oils can improve sleep quality.
• Essential oils are natural and have been used for centuries, making them a safe choice for many people.
• Essential oils can boost your immune system.

Now that we’ve gone over essential oils and their benefits, let’s take a closer look at the best essential oils for ADHD, according to several studies.

Best Essential Oils for ADHD

There are many essential oils to choose from, but here are some of the best essential oils for ADHD according to science:

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil is derived from the peel of a citrus fruit grown in Italy.

This essential oil has an earthy, spicy scent and contains bergapten, which can help with symptoms associated with ADHD such as hyperactivity, stress, focus difficulties, sleep issues, etc.

Studies have shown that children who have ADHD have a lower level of essential fatty acids in their diet which can contribute to concentration and memory problems.

Bergamot essential oil is believed to support the brain’s ability to absorb these essential fats, resulting in better cognitive function.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood oil is a calming essential oil that can help to relieve anxiety and stress and improve cognitive function as a result.

Its relaxing properties may come in handy for those with restless children who suffer from ADHD.

This essential oil smells woodsy and fresh at the same time, giving off an earthy aroma while helping you relax, think clearly, and stay focused.

Cedarwood essential oils are also believed to help lower cortisol levels within the body after stressful events.

Chamomile Essential Oil 

Chamomile oil is a popular essential oil due to its relaxing and soothing properties.

It can help with sleep issues many ADHD children face as well as hyperactive behavior, which makes it another great essential oil for those struggling with symptoms of the disorder.

Studies have shown that chamomile essential oils can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calmness, making them perfect for use before bedtime.

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage oil is a great essential oil for women with ADHD as it helps to regulate hormones.

It also has a relaxing and calming effect, making it perfect to use during times of stress or anxiety.

This essential oil can help improve focus and concentration, making it a good choice for those with ADHD.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense oil can be a great ADHD essential oil because it can help improve focus and mental clarity.

It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which may help to soothe frazzled nerves.

This essential oil has a woodsy, earthy scent that is said to be grounding, helping you feel connected to the present moment.

When used in combination with other essential oils, frankincense oil can be a powerful tool for better focus and concentration. 

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is a popular choice for ADHD essential oils because it can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

It also calms the mind, reduces hyperactivity, improves sleep quality in children with ADHD, and helps you stay focused.

Studies have shown that lavender essential oil may improve memory as well as cognitive function in children with ADHD.

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon oil is a great essential oil for ADHD because it can help to boost mood and promote mental clarity.

Its bright scent helps you feel rejuvenated, focused, and ready to take on the day.

When using citrus essential oils, you can diffuse them into the air or add a drop to your water for consumption.

This essential oil has been shown in studies to improve concentration and cognition, especially when using essential oils that are cold-pressed from fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and others.

Orange Essential Oil

Orange oil is a great essential oil to have on hand, especially if you struggle with ADHD.

This essential oil can help increase focus and reduce stress levels as well as improve memory formation and processing speed.

It has a sweet fruity scent that helps lift your mood while also promoting clarity of thought and an alert state of mind.

Studies have shown that essential oils like orange oil help to reduce the presence of cortisol within the body.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is a great essential oil for focus and concentration.

It helps to clear the mind, improve mental clarity, and boost energy levels so that you can stay productive throughout the day.

This essential oil has a refreshing minty scent that invigorates the senses and leaves you feeling alert and motivated. 

When used in combination with other essential oils, peppermint oil can be a powerful tool for better focus and concentration.

Petitgrain Essential Oil

Petitgrain essential oil not only has a fresh scent that helps you feel revitalized and focused, but it can also help promote relaxation.

The calming benefits of petitgrain essential oils have been shown to reduce stress in children with ADHD as well as increase focus when diffused into the air or added to water for consumption.

This essential oil is also known to help improve sleep quality in those with ADHD.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary oil can be a great ADHD essential oil because it is known to improve memory, focus, and mood.

This essential oil also helps you feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and inspired.

It has an earthy scent that is said to help balance your moods while promoting clarity of thought.

When using rosemary essential oil, you can diffuse it into the air or add a drop to your water for consumption.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Sandalwood essential oil is a natural antidepressant that can help to stabilize mood.

It also has antiseptic properties, which are effective in reducing inflammation and soothing frazzled nerves caused by ADHD.

This essential oil is known for its calming effects, helping you stay focused on the task at hand while promoting alertness. 

When used in combination with other essential oils, sandalwood oil can be a powerful tool for better focus and concentration.

Tangerine Essential Oil

Tangerine oil is another excellent essential oil for ADHD because it can help improve mood and mental clarity while also improving focus.

This essential oil has a thin consistency which makes it perfect to use in diffusers or rollers without being too thick, making it easy to apply topically on the skin as well.

It has a citrusy, tangy scent that is refreshing and uplifting.

Studies have shown this essential oil to be just as effective in improving focus and concentration as a lemon essential oil, making it another excellent option for those with ADHD.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil is a great essential oil to have on hand for general health and well-being.

But, it also has some specific benefits for those with ADHD. This essential oil helps to improve focus, reduce stress levels, and calm the mind.

It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making it effective in treating skin irritations and infections.

Vetiver Essential Oil

This essential oil has a woodsy scent that is grounding in nature while also promoting relaxation.

It helps to remove stress and anxiety, which creates the perfect environment for better focus and concentration when combined with other essential oils like chamomile essential oil.

Studies have shown that essential oils like vetiver essential oil can help increase focus and concentration while also improving memory recall in children with ADHD, making it a great essential oil for the disorder.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

This essential oil can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, creating a more relaxed and calm environment.

It has a sweet floral scent that is said to be balancing and can help to improve cognitive function.

Ylang ylang essential oil is often used as a relaxant before bedtime or during meditation.

When combined with other essential oils like lavender essential oil, it can help improve focus and concentration.

How To Use EOs for ADD & ADHD

There are a variety of ways that essential oils can be used to help improve focus and concentration in those with ADHD.

One popular way is to diffuse the essential oil into the air. This disperses the scent throughout the room, helping to create a conducive environment for better focus.

Another great way to use ADHD essential oils is to add a drop or two to your water. This can be consumed orally or added to a spray bottle and spritzed on your pillow before bedtime for a relaxing aroma that will help you drift off to sleep.

You can also create essential oil blends specifically for better focus and concentration by mixing different essential oils together.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to using essentials for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, so be sure to experiment and find what works best for you.

Using Essential Oils for Children with ADHD

There are a variety of essential oils that can be used to help improve focus and concentration in children with ADHD.

However, it is important not to use essential oils for kids without first consulting your doctor or health care professional.

As previously mentioned, diffusers work great when using essential oils for kids because they release the essential oil into the air and allow your child to breathe it in.

Another great way to use essential oils for children with ADHD is to add them to a bathtub. This can help to soothe and relax the mind and body while also helping improve focus and concentration.

You can also make a massage oil using these essential oils. Start by adding essential oils to a carrier oil, like jojoba or coconut oil.

Then add in essential oils with specific benefits for focus and concentration, such as the following:

• frankincense essential oil
• orange essential oil
• peppermint essential oil
• grapefruit essential oil
• lemon essential oil
• and basil essential oil. 

Then, use the essential oil blend to help your child relax before bedtime.

Concluding Thoughts

As you can see, essential oils are a great addition to any holistic medicine cabinet that is looking for ways to help improve focus and concentration.

By adding these essential oil blends into your daily routine, you will soon notice improvements in attention span while also experiencing better sleep patterns without the need for medication.

So, go ahead and give essential oils a try – you may be pleasantly surprised!

If you want to learn more about natural remedies for ADHD and overall brain health, check out these educational resources and feel free to join this online community of mental health advocates and professionals.