Here’s her experience, in her words:
“I just wanted to share with you all just how important it is to research EOs before using them, especially on children. I’m a huge researcher, but even I missed this. My 7 year old has epilepsy, and it originates in his frontal lobe so, of course, ADHD comes with the territory. It’s been difficult, so I started researching ‘EOs for ADHD.’ I only paid attention to the homemade blends that used oils that I knew were safe ‘in general’ for a child his age.
A little over a month ago, I tried a blend with Vetiver, Lavender, and an MLM blend that had just a few other oils in it that were not contraindicated for children his age. By day 3, he was like a different child, and it was not in a good way! He was wired, disrespectful, hitting his baby brother, and extremely restless. I posted here for help, and someone mentioned how children with ADHD could have opposite effects with the oils meant to calm the body. It made sense to me because he has an opposite effect with Benedryl. So I stopped using the blend and my sweetheart returned.
I still needed to figure out a way to help him to focus and not be so impulsive, though, so I tried a different blend with only 3 single oils: Cedarwood (2 drops), Frankincense (1 drop), and Lavender (2 drops). I put this in a teaspoon of unscented lotion and massage it into his back (whatever’s left on my hands I rub on his feet just b/c he likes a foot massage). I started this on Friday. By Monday (day 3), he was out of control. He even pretty much told me he hates me, and my son has NEVER said that to me a day in his life. I was keeping a behavior log, so I knew it was the oils. And the one oil both blends had in common was Lavender. So, the researcher that I am, I searched high and low until I found out why Lavender oil would change my child’s personality so much. I found this:
‘For those with epilepsy, be aware that several essential oils may trigger an epileptic seizure and these could include Lavender, Fennel and Rosemary.’
Now, I never stop at one source. I searched more and actually, the type of Lavender in question is SPIKE Lavender. Some sources credit regular Lavender as an oil that calms epilepsy. However, knowing that epilepsy presents itself in different areas of the brain, it should be expected that each situation will have different reactions. This information is enough for me to avoid ANY type of Lavender oil on or around my son permanently. It’s not safe for him. I stopped using it yesterday, but it’s still affecting him today. He is so restless, it’s unreal. However, I’m glad I know WHY he’s had such a terrible few days. And why he would tell his momma that he hates her.
I check multiple sources for good and bad. Also, once I introduce anything new to my children (natural or not) I keep a journal on their behaviors, because sometimes you just never know what’s going on and what could be causing it….This is proof that the oils are indeed strong and capable of affecting a person negatively if used incorrectly.”
An Update
“I just wanted to update you all on how he’s doing after I stopped using Lavender on (and around) him. The last day we used it was Tuesday. Today, he is back to my sweet little boy, and it’s obvious that he has a very clear mind now. He even told me that he feels like ‘a new boy’ and that he knows how to make better choices. He was able to complete over 2 hours of school review worksheets in an hour because he was just that focused. It’s crazy to see just how that one oil had such a negative effect on him. I know it’s not a common reaction, but it is obviously his reaction and I’m glad to have the sense enough to know that not all oils work the same for every individual.”
This is an excellent story that shows how every one of us is different. Though Lavender seems harmless and calming, it had the opposite effect in this case. It took a courageous mom to research and find out what was causing the problem, and thankfully she did. So, all mothers out there who are looking for EOs to help with your children’s behavior, take this as a serious warning to make sure you do your research first!
Great Article. Makes me more aware on how lavender works with different people. Great Fact to know because oils do work on people differently. And makes you watch out for Adverse Reactions more. Thank you for sharing the great Articles and Story.
Did you ever find an oil that had the correct effect? Vetiver makes my ADHD daughter go CRAZY! Lavender keeps up both up at night instead of sleeping!
vetiver does the same thing to my son, makes him immediately wakeful instead of sleepy, a similar reaction to the lavender.
I am very thankful I came across this article. I also have ADHD and have been using lavender at night to help myself unwind and calm down but I couldn’t figure out why I all of a sudden couldn’t fall asleep, and during the night was absolutely restless. I am going to try not using lavender at all tonight and see what that will do, and the good news is now I know what oil gives me a decent amount of energy and gets me moving! Ha!
Some of the more stimulating EOs have a calming effect on my 8 yr old with ADHD, such as most citrus oils and spearmint. Not a surprise since prescription ADHD meds are primarily stimulants, not sedatives.
Interesting. I’m going to experiment on myself with this idea.
Wow. Good info! I have ADHD and was so excited to diffuse lavender when I first got my diffuser. I was a crazy person for two nights! I’ve found that a combo of lavender and lemon are great while I’m working.
Did she keep using cedarwood and frankincense? Frank is very focusing and the sesquiterpinenes and sesquiterpenols in cedarwood I could see being helpful.
This happens to my son as well with lavender, he gets major insomnia, can’t go to sleep, will be up for almost 20 hrs because he will fall asleep late and wake early and be edgy and tired the next day, but then can’t get to sleep again the following night, it affects him for a few days like this, it’s horrible. I would love to find an oil that helps him sleep though.
I am 60 yrs old and I just tried Lavender for the first time for sleep issues. I was so perplexed that after three nights of trying lavender I was awake and more restless than when not using it. this is the only website that gave me the answer I needed. thank you.
It’s weird how rubbing lavender on during the day to calm anxiety, i didn’t notice a differencedifference. Rubbing a lavender sleep lotion from Bath & Body Works on at night seemed to make me sleepy, but rubbing straight lavender on at night didn’t seem to help me sleep & inhaling it from a diffuser close to bedtime would keep me up all night & I was awake most of the day as well. This stinks. I was so happy to think I could finally relax & have a good night sleep & the opposite thing happened twice. I thought it was the late exercise. Guess maybe I have ADHD or maybe just semi-insomniacs or anxious people shouldn’t use it. I’ve had anxiety lately but have always been an "up" person who gets worked up easy & worries about a lot. No doctor ever mentioned ADHD though unless this is a recent development.
I don’t have ADHD but I do have epilepsy. I’m 37 and have found that Lavender essential oil whether it’s in soaps or a diffuser, makes me very irritated and angry. I’m not sure if it’s a seizure trigger or not because I don’t necessarily have seizures from smelling it. Of course, I take an anticonvulsant that works well but in the past certain smells have triggered seizures. Most of my seizure originate in my temporal lobe and that area controls emotion so when I do have seizures, it affects my mood. It’s very strange but I have to stay away from lavender of any kind.
I received the ingredients from my daughter to make some bath fizzys yesterday. She sent me lavender essential oil…it really seems to make me grumpy! I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and respond pretty well to ritalin, so I also may have adult ADD, I suppose. I also have a negative reaction to rosemary and its oil.
MY BABY DEFEATED SEIZURE
I have to share this story; it could help someone out there. A mother, father or loved one facing stigma caused by epilepsy and seizure. There is hope. Thank you to the Admin of this blog for sharing this story.
Joan was born a healthy baby until after 6 months when her seizure started. We took her to the hospital where doctors diagnosed her of seizure disorder. She had more than 50 grand-mal seizures in a single day. It was terrible for our little angel. Doctors gave us Pharma meds upon meds. (Phenobarb and Keppra) which caused her more complications. She was so young that the side-effects were really bad on her. We went back to the hospital where doctors told us that she might not survive more than 24 months. I and my husband went in search for better treatment that will reduce her complications and keep her alive. We never gave up on her. We started searching for at least a treatment without Pharm meds. Fortunately for me, I came across a testimony shared by Brenda Coker on how her baby was cured from epilepsy using HILTON herbal medication. I followed the email she shared and also read Dr. Mohan blog. We realized that there was hope for our baby. We started HILTON treatment, she responded very well, and became Seizure free after 5 months of Herbal medication. Joan is 5 years now and never had any seizure. She survived doctors’ predictions of 24 months.
As a mother, I am here to encourage people with seizure or epilepsy to contact Doctor Mohan for a cure read more about his Herbal meds via http://www.seizurecure.blogspot.com
I do not have ADHD or epilepsy but lavender oil does have an adverse effect on me. I have used it three times before bed over the span of about 4 months and each night it gave me raging nightmares. I never have trouble sleeping and never ever have nightmares but if I am around lavender oil at all in the hours before bed (being diffused) or apply it directly, I will have terrible nightmares that last all night.
Ah Ha! I started using Lavender EO on myself and my son to help sleep. My son (8) sleeps like a rock and loves it, he even requests it before bed. As for me – I CANNOT sleep. I’ve been up to almost 2-3 am and just figured I had a lot on mind because lavender is sooooothing and should help, right?
Well, I don’t have ADHD but I am epileptic. I feel fine otherwise, no seizure triggers (I am on an anticonvulsant that has worked for years and been seizure free for 20+ years), I don’t feel extra grumpy either or have nightmares. However, I am not sleeping and feel like an insomniac! Thankful for this information. No more lavender oil for me!
Lavender is the worst for me! My husband and I both rubbed it on our feet one night to give it a shot. He slept like a baby. I however couldn’t go to sleep all night. It was horrible!! I just laid there and stared at the ceiling. All night. I was jumpy and irritable the next day. I have never enjoyed the smell, never could walk into a lavender shop, and now I know why. As far as I know I am not ADHD and I don’t have epilepsy. Every body is different, therefore all essential oils will work differently on different people.
My 12 year old son (no health or behavioral issues) wakes up with sheer terror screaming nightmares each time I put the "calming" lavender EO on him. I only had to try it twice to know-it was the lavender.
We are a family with 2 x ADHD and 1 x ASD members. All respond really well to lavender!