What Herbs Are Used to Treat ADD?

ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects both children and adults. ADD causes hyperactive, inattentive and impulsive symptoms. It can affect the individual all day and everyday, and causes you to be unable to sit still, unable to focus attention on something for very long, and it causes an inability to follow instructions. It can affect your ability to socialize with others.

Traditional Treatments

• Traditional treatments for ADD include the use of stimulants such as Ritalin, which can have a calming effect, but also poses the threat of dependence on the drug. There are several natural herbal remedies, which combined with dietary changes, can have the same effect, without the risk of dependence.

Chinese Herbs

• Radix heraclei is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used for many centuries to relieve stress and bring comfort to the body. Used by herbalists to relieve tension, it is also helpful in calming overly emotional children. Ginkgo biloba is another Chinese herb used to treat ADD. It helps to relieve anxiety, decrease depression and increase brain power. Lemon balm is used to support attention span, memory and mental performance.

Homeopathic Herbs

• For children who cannot tolerate the traditional use of stimulants for ADD, homeopaths recommend the use of natural herbal treatments to help calm the overactive child. These herbs include: hyoscyamus, which helps reduce over-excitability and reduce restlessness, it reduces fidgeting, outbursts and hyperactive behaviors; tuberculinum, which helps reduce irritability, feelings of discontent and destructive behavior, and arsen iod, which helps reduce temper tantrums, outbursts and frustration.

Other Herbs

• Other herbs recommended to treat the symptoms of ADD include: ginseng, which increases concentration and helps reduce stress; Kava Kava, which is used to relieve stress, insomnia and anxiety and is known not to produce the sluggish effect often associated with traditional stimulants prescribed for ADD.

Warnings

• The use of traditional medicines should never be stopped suddenly as withdrawal symptoms could occur. Certain herbs may interfere with other medications you may be taking, so do not start taking them without consulting with your doctor, pharmacist or herbalist first. Trial and error experimentation with herbs may be necessary to find the right combination to help control the ADD. Be sure to watch for signs of allergic reaction to herbal treatments. These signs may include itching, rash, swelling of the face and hands, or trouble breathing. Contact your physician immediately if any of these side effects should occur.