Herbal Medicine for ADHD

If you or your child have been diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), medication may be recommended. Treatment for ADHD can help the patient cope with learning difficulties and compromised social skills, but treatment may not always be prescription-based. Some patients have found that alternative remedies, as well as simple lifestyle and dietary changes, help manage ADHD symptoms.

Fatty Acids, Magnesium

• Because ADHD is typically marked by a lack of concentration, it makes sense to examine closely the patient's diet and make adjustments that could be affecting his ability to focus and/or his impulsiveness.
  Essential fatty acids may be one option, as these are necessary for brain function. Found naturally in fish and certain nuts, fatty acids are also added to other foods. Look for EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and arachidonic acid.
  Another supplement is L-carnitine, which may help improve behavior.
  And finally, magnesium may play a role in ADHD symptoms. Adults should take 200 mg per day.

Things to Eliminate

• Two diets that have been linked to easing ADHD symptoms are the Feingold and hypoallergenic diets. The Feingold diet is centered around the elimination or reduction of foods that contain salicylates, which may cause hyperactivity. Sensitivity to salicylates varies from person to person, but among children, one estimate predicts that between 10 and 25 percent have the sensitivity. Other foods eliminated through the Feingold diet include certain chemicals, additives and dyes commonly found in processed foods. For example, tartrazine, a yellow dye, has been proven to bring about symptoms in children already predisposed to ADHD behavior. The Feingold diet is best managed with the help of a licensed nutritionist or by a representative with the Feingold Association.
  As for food additives, one study eliminated them from the diets of a group of children and recorded a marked improvement in their behavior, then added them back into the diets of one-third of the group. ADHD symptoms resurfaced in the children in that group.
  Whether sugar leads to hyperactivity may sound like the launch of an old wives' tale. But limiting or avoiding sugar may have its merits when it comes to ADHD. According to one study, children with ADHD benefited from avoiding sugar, as evidenced by a reduction of restlessness and aggressiveness. The improvement in behavior was more pronounced among girls than boys.

  Herbs and Supplements. A number of parents resort to alternative remedies as an alternative to psychostimulants and other drugs. These products include St. John's wort, ginkgo biloba, panax ginseng, melatonin, and pine bark extract. Based on existing evidence, however, none can be recommended, particularly for children.

Lifestyle Changes

• Whether you choose to manage ADHD with prescription or alternative medicine, some simple lifestyle changes may also ease the symptoms and help you go through the day more focused. Among these: eat well, exercise regularly, get an adequate amount of sleep each night, and reduce unnecessary stress. If symptoms continue, be sure to have a thorough physical exam to rule out other possible causes.