| Herbs for ADHD can be an amazingly effective | | | | of caution if you are on prescription medication. For |
| component of ADHD therapy. 80 per cent of the | | | | instance, stimulants should not be mixed with |
| world's population relies on herbs as the first line of | | | | Ginseng; St John's wort and Kava Kava can magnify |
| treatment for many disorders: doctors in countries as | | | | the effects and side effects of anti depressants and |
| diverse as China and Germany prescribe herbal | | | | or tranquilizers. So if you are taking any medication |
| preparations for their patients. The right herbs, used | | | | whatsoever, make sure you do your own research |
| the right way, can calm, promote sleep, improve | | | | and speak with a qualified herbalist as well as your |
| memory, moderate stress. Here is what you should | | | | doctor. |
| know to successfully use ADHD herbs to treat and | | | | 3. Be especially careful when you calculate dosages |
| beat ADHD. | | | | for children: if you don't do it correctly, the ADHD |
| 1. Familiarize yourself with what different herbs do. If | | | | herb will not have the desired effect. Your best bet |
| you can't find information supporting the use of an | | | | is to always buy products which are clearly labeled |
| herb to treat ADHD, don't use it. Here are some | | | | with directions for use and dosing. |
| commonly used herbs for ADHD: | | | | 4. Various studies indicate that Chinese herbs can be |
| - Ginko biloba (increases the flow of oxygen and | | | | very effective in treating ADHD. Chinese herbs are |
| nutrients to the brain and helps concentration) | | | | prescribed on an individual basis, so look for a qualified |
| - Passionflower (has calming effects) | | | | practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine to |
| - Siberian Ginseng (promotes concentration and | | | | determine what would be best in your situation. |
| regulates response to stress) | | | | Some of the formulas based on Chinese herbs are |
| - Gotu Kola (helpful with cognitive and nervous | | | | Tiaoshen Liquor and Calm Dragon Formula, which |
| disorders) | | | | includes Chinese thorowax root, skullcap root, and |
| - Valerian root (has calming effects and helps with | | | | oriental white ginseng root. |
| sleep) | | | | 5. Pay attention to the label. See if the herbs used |
| - Oat (mild antispasmodic, used to treat insomnia and | | | | are organic-- you really don't need anything that's |
| nervousness) | | | | been contaminated with pesticides. Also, try and see |
| - St John's wort (helps with depression, fear, insomnia | | | | if the label specifies which part of the herb is |
| and anxiety) | | | | used--leaves or roots. Different parts work better in |
| - Kava Kava (has sedative and anti-convulsant | | | | different herbs. |
| effects; calms and helps with anxiety, stress and | | | | Keep in mind that very few practitioners rely on |
| insomnia) | | | | herbs alone to treat ADHD. Like most natural |
| - Skullcap (used for insomnia, helps with sleep, works | | | | treatments, ADHD herbs are most effective if |
| as an antispasmodic) | | | | combined with other natural treatments. But I can tell |
| - Chamomile (anti-inflamatory, antispasmodic and | | | | you this much: using herbs for ADHD along with diet, |
| calming) | | | | homeopathy, and supplements can lead to truly |
| 2. Avoid toxic reactions by always erring on the side | | | | miraculous results. |