Herbal Food Remedies for ADHD

ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is in basic terms a condition when the brain is overstimulated to the point that the individual cannot focus on one area. This condition usually becomes apparent when the person is required to focus for periods of time such as in school. Traditional medicine is a simple remedy of giving the individual calming or brain stimulating medications depending on the diagnosis. If this was the extent of the disorder, then no further discussion would follow. However, it seems that there are many individuals, especially children, who present the same symptoms but only as a result of eating too many stimulating foods and drinks. Any herbal remedies for disorders should be discussed with your doctor as they can help you find an acceptable treatment. Here are a few suggestions for very simple ways of helping anyone achieve a calm disposition with an alert and focused brain.

Considerations

• Before you try using medications to calm anyone down, or to keep them in a stable mental state, the logical thing to do would be to eliminate any intake of foods or drinks that convert to quick energy in the body and then a quick drop of energy. Anything made with simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose or refined grains will translate in the body to quick energy. Caffeine is another well known stimulant found in soft drinks, chocolate and coffee. Take the time to remove the sorts of foods and drinks that could be adding to the problem. If you are not sure what might be causing a problem, choose whole foods that have not been processed and for extreme cases, foods that don't taste sweet.

History

• This ailment was first labeled in the early 1900s by a much stronger title of morbid defect of moral control. The harsh title signified that the doctors did not contribute it to simply poor parenting and a bad diet---there were real cases of brain malfunction. The disorder was more prevalent during the 1960s as hyperactivity in children and the term commonly used became Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity. By the late 1990's, it was one of the most commonly diagnosed ailments among children under the age of 17, especially males.

Benefits

• Using herbs as a food remedy for ADHD is a route that many parents are taking to keep their children dependent on medications that may end up having side effects later in life. Some of the most common herbs are ginkgo, blackberry and raspberry leaves, hawthorne, rosemary and, of course, fish oil. Many other foods that contain high levels of antioxidants also will contribute to better health and mental awareness. Scientific studies are still not conclusive about the use of herbs, but much more study is being conducted with the use of proteins in the diet of an ADHD person.

Potential

• Reducing the symptoms of ADHD simply by manipulating a person's diet, increasing their level of activity and adding herbal remedies is the preferred method of reducing the overdiagnosis of ADHD. On the other hand, if these simple steps are taken, the physician will have a healthier person to work with in caring and treating the brain disorder.

Theories/Speculation

• Exercise is another area that has received a lot of attention in the same circles of people that prefer herbal remedies for ADHD. Since exercise does release dopamine and norepinephrine, it provides a chemical change in the brain that seems to help the symptoms of the disorder. Again, this is a very simple treatment that most likely every doctor will agree that it can only help someone with ADHD. Being outside in the sun and increasing oxygen levels in the blood also contributes to a sense of health for ADHD patients.