ADHD or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is something we hear of on an almost regular basis these days. So what are we to do? Well, the first step would be to avoid the drug completely and to address the often overlooked underlying issues.. If your child is anxious, irritable, or hyperactive, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a serious disorder. Trying natural remedies first as a means of treating these symptoms is by far a better option than simply dosing your child with a harmful and often addictive drug.

Essential oils – especially vetiver oil – are incredibly adept at calming the nervous system. They’re able to relieve you of stress and anxiety while lifting your spirits and boosting your immune system. So, if you’re looking for a non-toxic, holistic treatment for your anxiety then keep reading!

What Is Vetiver Essential Oil? 

Vetiver essential oil is an incredibly dynamic bunchgrass that is native to parts of Southeast Asia as well as India. It’s cultivated in the US, Haiti, and even the Reunion Islands. The grass is very similar to Sorghum in that it is has a similar nutrient and protein count. It shares the characteristics of other bunchgrasses, such as lemongrass, with regards to its odor and phytochemical properties.

The essential oil produced from the grass is often used in cosmetics and aromatherapy. You can easily blend it with other oils and natural ingredients as it does not have an overwhelming scent. The oil has many great qualities such as being a potent natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent. It supports skin and tissue growth through its cicatrisant properties. The effects are enhanced when the oil is combined with other oils. If you’re not sure where to start lemongrass, palmarosa and bergamot are a great place to start. They also allow you to form a new and delightful fragrance. 

Vetiver Essential Oil For Improved Skin 

Woman with soft, clear skin

Like most citrus-based essential oils, Vetiver is a magnificent natural skin toner to use on all skin types. It’s not a photosynthesizer which means that there’s no need to worry about getting burnt in the sun.

The oil can be applied to your face with a clean cotton swab to help remove impurities. It also helps to balance the excess sebum oil that commonly occurs with oily or combination skin types. This imbalance is what generally leads to the formation of blemishes. The sebum oil (along with dead skin cells) tends to block or clog your pores leading to blackheads and inflammation. By keeping your pores clear, you will effectively give yourself a healthier complexion over time.

The antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of the oil, along with the healing nature of the oil allows for the healing of acne scars. It will also help to seal your pores which prevents the formation of blemishes over time. The oil can help to lift and strengthen the skin tissue, as well as promote cell growth and improve blood circulation to the affected area. This helps to speed up the healing process. 

Vetiver Essential Oil For Improved Hair 

Silky, soft hair.

Vetiver essential oil, along with other citrus-based essential oils, works wonders on treating a dry and irritable scalp. The inflammation-inhibiting enzymes contained within the oil help to decrease and relieve the scalp of inflammation.

Like most citrus plants and fruits, Vetiver contains high amounts of d-limonene. The compound is great if you want to reduce and remove the buildup of a chemical known as 5 alpha-reductase. This chemical generally occurs in men.  The buildup of excess testosterone underneath the surface of the scalp causes it. This is one of the leading causes of hair loss in men, as the chemical effectively blocks the flow of important nutrients and vitamins to the hair follicles, making them weaker over time and eventually leading to hair loss. 

Vetiver Essential Oil For ADHD 

Woman with happy child.

As I mentioned, ADHD is a common disorder that affects many children, teenagers, and even adults throughout the world. As much as we’re told to believe that taking chemical stimulants like Ritalin is the best (and in some cases the only) way to treat this disorder it’s simply not true.

Essential oils are cheap, readily available and far healthier than Ritalin or it’s variations. Natural oils also allow you to get a good idea of how serious you or your child’s disorder actually is without resorting to medication. After using the holistic treatments available, you might not even need further treatment in the future. Remember, just because you feel or act a certain way doesn’t necessarily mean you have a disorder.

Anxiety, tension, and struggling to focus are very common emotions that should be considered holistically first, before deciding on a method of treatment. So examine your life and circumstances and try to understand what is making you feel the way you do. Honest, open communication is the best first step. And if that communication immediately leads to a prescription, then it’s well worth considering how you personally feel about prescription drugs. Remember that a second opinion isn’t a crime.

Vetiver Essential Oil For Sleep 

Girl lying with flowers.

Getting enough sleep is important at any age for maintaining a healthy and well-regulated immune system. It also helps to keep your body’s hormones well balanced. It has been proven that those who get less than 7-8 hours of sleep every night are 5 times more at risk of developing heart disease later in life than those who do. So there’s no point in eating healthy and exercising regularly if you’re not getting enough sleep.

As we’ve already seen, Vetiver oil is also a great natural sedative. You can use it as a chest, back and neck rub. You can also inhale it straight from the container or add to a bowl of boiled water for a steam treatment to help induce healthy sleep. Lavender, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Sweet Fennel, Geranium, Rose and Myrrh essential oils are also very useful in this department, and can be combined for a more effective means of treatment. 

Side Effects Of Using Vetiver Essential Oil 

To date, there are no known side-effects when using Vetiver oil. It’s considered a safe, non-toxic and non-irritant oil. However, as a standard precautionary measure, you’re not advised to use the oil if you’re pregnant and should only be done if it’s considered safe by a qualified health practitioner. 

The oil is quite potent and may be passed onto your child through the placenta. This could affect your child’s health, or the birthing process. However, in other circumstances or scenarios, using the oil in a regulated dosage shouldn’t negatively affect you in any way. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I think that ADHD is something that should definitely be taken seriously as it can really have a negative effect on you on your child’s life and health if left untreated. However, I strongly believe that the holistic approach to treating the disorder, or the symptoms thereof, is a much better option than using the standard prescription drugs on offer.

If you or your child’s health, whether physical or mental, really matters to you then it would be rather contradictory to make use of a treatment that only worsens your overall quality of health or state of mind in the process. So always be sure to research and consider other methods of treatment first before taking prescription drugs. As a matter of fact, try and stay as far away from them as possible unless absolutely necessary. With this in mind, why not try Vetiver oil for a holistic approach?