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Lemon Balm Cure for ADD

Lemon balm, or melissa officinalis, is a member of the mint family. As an herb, it has been used medicinally as a sedative for centuries. It has also been known for centuries for its ability to attract bees to gardens. Melissa means bee in ancient Greek. The Greeks used lemon balm and called it a cure all. Among its other uses, ADD and ADHD sufferers have experienced relief from symptoms by using lemon balm. However, there are few scientific studies backing up this use.

  1. About Lemon Balm

    • Lemon balm is a gentle herb that is generally regarded as safe. There are no known or reported symptoms of toxicity due to lemon balm. It is used both internally and externally, and the essential oil is used as well as the whole herb. The essential oil is useful against depression. The herb itself works against anxiety and helps with insomnia. Combined with chamomile or valerian, it is a moderate sedative. According to RealMentalHealth.com, there have been several studies which show the effectiveness of lemon balm combined with valerian used as a sleep aid. However, the studies were inconclusive as to whether lemon balm, valerian, or the combination, was effective.

    External Uses of Lemon Balm

    • Used externally, lemon balm is effective against cold sores and other skin conditions. It has anesthetic properties, so it is also useful for toothache or itchy rashes. The strong antiviral properties work against the herpes virus, but also against other skin conditions such as wounds, insect bites, sores and stings.

    About ADHD

    • ADD or ADHD is a syndrome, diagnosed by noticing a series of symptoms which help to classify it. It is not a disease or a disorder. Because of this, according to Dr. Steve Morris on his website drstevemorris.com, as many as 50 percent of ADHD diagnoses may be inaccurate. The University of Maryland Medical Center's article on ADHD also notes that because there is no objective test for ADHD, diagnosis can be hard. The causes of ADHD are unknown, so it is not easy to say how to prevent ADHD. Adult ADHD needs to have first appeared in childhood in order to be diagnosed as Adult ADHD, so it can be even more challenging to diagnose.

    ADHD Treatment

    • Ways to treat ADHD include lifestyle changes. For example, parents are taught ways to interact with their children which will help their children's behavior. Rules need to be clear and consequences not unduly harsh, for example. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center's article on ADHD, other methods include pharmaceutical drugs, and alternative therapies including dietary changes, massage, homeopathy, and herbal remedies.

    Herbal Remedies for ADHD

    • Herbal remedies for ADHD include lemon balm, passion flower, valerian and chamomile. Other herbal remedies are ginko and American ginseng. Lemon balm may be effective because is eases anxiety, aids in calming muscle tension, but also helps the brain to focus. According to GlobalHerbalSupply.com, it "helps to sharpen memory and understanding." A good adult dose for lemon balm tea is three to four teaspoons of crushed leaves steeped in boiled water for 15 minutes, according to GlobalHerbalSupply.com. For children, reduce the dose according to the child's weight.

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