Subscribe To This Site

ADHD
and
Proven Natural Medicine

Parents often turn to natural medicine in treating ADHD due to the unwanted side effects of prescription medicine. Below I have listed a number of natural medicines that have been trialed and tested in relation to Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

It is important to know what has been proven to work and what hasn't.

Caffeine

Because caffeine is a stimulant, it was thought that it may help ADHD. After testing it was found that at a dose of 600mg caffeine a day it would only slightly improve symptoms. Considering there is 60-100mg caffeine in one cup of instant coffee, it would be inappropriate to give a child the equivalent of 6 cups of coffee a day. Side effects can also arise from caffeine.

Conners CK. The acute effects of caffeine on evoked response, vigilance, and activity level in hyperkinetic children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 1979;7:145-51.

SAMe

SAMe has been proven to be effective for ADHD in adults only in preliminary research. Symptoms such as attention, restlessness, and impulsivity are said to be helped.

Shekim WO, Antun F, Hanna GL, et al. S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) in adults with ADHD, RS: preliminary results from an open trial. Psychopharmacol Bull 1990;26:249-53.

Valerian (Valeriana officianalis)

Even though this herb is helpful for sleep problems, there is no evidence that it helps ADHD.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officianalis)

Helpful for restlessness but there is no evidence suggesting it will help the symptoms of Attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

Kava (Piper methysticum)

Kava is a stimulant but it does not specifically help ADHD.

Calming Herbal Teas

Hops (Humulus biloba) Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) are all sedative herbs but have no effect on the symptoms of ADHD.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Metabolic Maintenance Gingko 60 mg 60 caps

Preliminary research shows that Ginkgo may improve some symptoms of ADHD in children due to the increase of blood flow to the brain. See Metabolic Maintenance Gingko 60 mg 60 caps

Lyon MR, Cline JC, Totosy de Zepetnek J, et al. Effect of the herbal extract combination Panax quinquefolium and Ginkgo biloba on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2001;26:221-8.

Inositol

Inositol increases serotonin in the brain but research has shown that it does not improve symptoms of ADHD.

Levine J. Controlled trials of inositol in psychiatry. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 1997;7:147-55.

DMAE (Dimethaminoethanol)

DMAE is thought to increase neurotransmitters but studies have shown inconsistencies when tested for ADHD. This substance can also cause adverse side effects.

Lewis JA, Young R. Deanol and methylphenidate in minimal brain dysfunction. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1975;17:534-40.

Melatonin

Melatonin may help with sleep patterns but tests have shown it does not help the major symptoms, therefore it is not a proven natural medicine for ADHD.

Tjon Pian Gi CV, Broeren JP, Starreveld JS, A Versteegh FG. Melatonin for treatment of sleeping disorders in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a preliminary open label study. Eur J Pediatr 2003;162:554-5.

Grape Seed (Vitis vinifera)

Jarrow OPC + 95 Grape Seed Extract 50mg 60Caps

The antioxidant - oligomeric proanthocyanidins, has shown to help prevent the damage done to the brain by oxidants. This research has shown to be beneficial in children with ADHD but not for adults with ADHD. See Jarrow OPC + 95 Grape Seed Extract 50mg 60Caps

Tenenbaum S, Paull JC, Sparrow EP, et al. An experimental comparison of Pycnogenol and methylphenidate in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). J Atten Disord 2002;6:49-60.

Evening Primrose Oil (oenothera biennis)

EPO is a source of omega-6 fatty acids but research has failed to show any benefit in treating ADHD naturally.

DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)

This omega-3 fatty acid has been tested for ADHD but does not show any significant effect.

Flaxseed Oil (Linum usitatissimum)

This omega-3 fatty acid plus Vitamin C 25mg a day, has shown to be beneficial to the symptoms of ADHD, especially restlessness, impulsiveness, attention and self control. I recommend using Jarrow Flax Seed Oil Liquid Fresh Pressed 32 fl.oz

Joshi K, Lad S, Kale M, et al. Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2006;74:17-21.

Fish Oil

In one small study, fish oil was given to children to reach the normal levels of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) as those found in the Japanese population. Significant improvements were reported in attention, hyperactivity, conduct behaviour and defiant behaviour. Although this study was small, it does suggest that 16.2mg/day EPA/DHA are effective for children with Attention deficit hyperactive disorder. With children I have found that taking a liquid such as the one to your right instead of a huge capsule is a lot easier to swallow. This product needs only 2 teaspoons per day and has a pleasant taste.

Sorgi PJ, Hallowell EM, Hutchins HL, Sears B. Effects of an open-label pilot study with high-dose EPA/DHA concentrates on plasma phospholipids and behaviour in children with ADHD. Nutr J. 2007 Jul 13;6:16.

Multivitamins

Taking a multivitamin is suggested for those children whose nutrition may be compromised but multivitamins do not improve the symptoms of ADHD.

Haslam RH, Dalby JT, Rademaker AW. Effects of megavitamin therapy on children with attention deficit disorders. Pediatrics 1984;74:103-11.

Iron

Iron has been shown to improve symptoms in boys that are nonanaemic.

Sever Y, Ashkenazi A, Tyano S, Weizman A. Iron treatment in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A preliminary report. Neuropsychobiology 1997;35:178-80.

Magnesium

Although children with ADHD generally have low levels of Magnesium, supplementation shows no evidence of improving the symptoms.

Kozielec T, Starobrat-Hermelin B. Assessment of magnesium levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Magnes Res 1997;10:143-8.

L-carnitine

This amino acid has shown some benefit for hyperactivity. For easier consumption by children, I recommend using the liquid formula Dymatize Nutrition Liquid L-Carnitine 1100 Berry 16 fl.oz

Other amino acids such as tryptophan, glutamine, tyrosine, taurine, glycine, and dimethylglycine, have not had any beneficial effect on this disorder.

Ghose K. l-Tryptophan in hyperactive child syndrome associated with epilepsy: a controlled study. Neuropsychobiology 1983;10:111-4.

Blue-green algae (Spirulina)

As yet there has been no reliable evidence that spirulina helps children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

Nature

A study conducted by child environment and behavior researchers Andrea Faber Taylor and Frances E. Kuo tested children with ADHD and walks in nature parks. Using a test called Digital Span Backwards, their attention was guaged after a walk in nature. Comparing children that took a walk in a busy street with noise and traffic etc, it was noted that the children that took the walk in a nature park with trees, animals and less noise etc had better results in their Digital Span Backwards Test. Although there are many variables in this test it was noted that it has been long known that behaviour is improved after walking in a green park.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2008, October 15). A Walk In The Park Improves Attention In Children With ADHD. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 11, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/10/081015120742.htm

Back to Home Page

I didn't even know how to copy and paste, but I built a website...want to know how?

ADHDandProven Natural Medicine