Children with ADHD often have low self-esteem, are impatient, have difficulty following rules or acting responsibly and do not adapt well to change. Parents may seek alternatives to medications that have potentially harmful side effects. Eliminating food additives and chemicals and incorporating nutritional supplements, counseling and the support of family, teachers and friends may be helpful strategies. Always check with your doctor before using natural medicines. It's best to try only one remedy at a time.
Pycnogenol
An extract of the bark of the French maritime pine tree, pycnogenol may have protective effects on nerve and brain function. J. Trebaticka and colleagues, at Comenius University in Slovakia, conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of the effects of pycnogenol on 61 children with ADHD. The subjects were given either a placebo or 1mg of pycnogenol per kilogram of body weight daily for four weeks. Assessments of behavior were taken at baseline, after one month of intervention and at a one-month follow-up. A significant reduction in hyperactivity and improvements in attention, concentration and hand-eye coordination occurred in the treated group. The placebo group experienced no changes. One month after stopping pycnogenol, symptoms of ADHD returned. The study was published in the September 2006 issue of "European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry."
Fish Oils
Omega-3 fatty acids play a key role in normal brain development and function. These healthy fats may be important for memory, concentration and behavior. Omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and arthritis. P. A. Gustafsson and colleagues, at Linkoping University in Sweden, measured the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fat found in fish oils, on 92 ADHD children between the ages of 7 and 12. Baseline bloodwork and parent/teacher rating scales were compared to those after 15 weeks of intervention. Eicosapentaenoic acid improved symptoms in two subgroups of children, those who were oppositional and those who were mildly hyperactive and impulsive. The study was published in the Octover 2010 issue of "Acta Paediatrica." Other rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, spirulina, cold water fish and purselane.
Panax Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a traditional remedy for dementia and memory impairment. It may be combined with Panax ginseng, an herbal stimulant, for the treatment of ADHD symptoms. M. R. Lyon and colleagues, at Oceanside Functional Medicine Research Institute in British Colombia, tested an herbal extract product containing 200mg ginseng and 50mg Ginkgo biloba on 36 children with ADHD between the ages of 3 to 17. The kids were given four capsules on an empty stomach twice a day for four weeks. Assessments were compared at baseline, at two weeks and at the end of the study. After two weeks, 31 percent of children were less anxious and shy; after four weeks, 44 percent saw improvements in social problems and 74 percent had reduced hyperactivity and impulsiveness. The study was published in the May 2001 "Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience."
References
- PubMed.gov: Treatment of ADHD with French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Pycnogenol
- PubMed.gov: EPA Supplementation Improves Teacher-Rated Behaviour and Oppositional Symptoms in Children With ADHD
- PubMed.gov: Effect of the Herbal Extract Combination Panax quinquefolium and Ginkgo biloba on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: a Pilot Study
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