Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, ADHD is a term that describes a group of behaviors found in numerous adults and children. If you have ADHD, you may have trouble paying attention at work or at home and you may be more active or impulsive than other people your age. Before taking supplements to help treat your ADHD, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Chamomile
Chamomile, also called Matricaria recutita, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your ADHD. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, chamomile, a member of the Aster family, has been used for centuries to help treat many health problems, including anxiety, sleeplessness, skin conditions and gastrointestinal conditions. Chamomile is an annual, daisy-like plant that has a sweet and slightly bitter taste. The fresh or dry flowers of the chamomile plant are used for medicinal purposes, including ADHD. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that chamomile is a calming sedative that is particularly helpful for treating nervousness and peevishness, which are common symptoms associated with ADHD, especially in children.
Valerian
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that valerian, also known as Valeriana officinalis, is a sedative, relaxing nervine, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant and hypotensive that is used to help treat restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, nervous palpitations, nervous irritation, irregular heartbeats and ADHD. Smith notes that valerian is a calmative and relaxing sedative that enhances cerebral circulation. Valerian is a flowering perennial plant native and belongs to the Valerianaceae family. It has a sweet and spicy taste and possesses slightly warming tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the root of the valerian plant to make medicine. Valerian, Smith says, facilitates and enhances your quality of sleep.
Kava Kava
Kava kava is a plant that contains active ingredients called kavalactones. Kava kava, also called Piper methysticum, is an herbal supplement that has a sharp, pungent and tongue-numbing taste and belongs to the Piperaceae family. The root of the plant is used to produce a drink with mild sedative properties. The root of the kava kava plant is also used for medicinal purposes, such as ADHD. According to Dr. William A. Mitchell, Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," small doses of kava kava have a calming effect on your body. Tilgner states that kava kava is a sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and mild anticonvulsant that is used to help treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle tension and asthma. Tilgner cautions that, if you are pregnant or are a nursing mother, you should avoid taking supplements containing kava kava.
References
- Family Doctor: ADHD: What Parents Should Know
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chamomile
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Plant Medicine in Practice: Using the Teachings of John Bastyr"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
