Hyperactive behavior can make it hard to live a normal life, affecting school, work and personal relationships and performance. While hyperactivity is generally associated with children, it may also affect adults. Your physician may prescribe pharmaceuticals or recommend dietary changes to treat hyperactive behavior, but you may also incorporate alternative herbal treatments into your diet with your doctor's approval.
Echinacea
A study published in the February 2003 issue of "Pharmacotherapy" indicates that echinacea, an herb used to treat a variety of maladies, stands as one of the most used alternative treatments for hyperactivity disorders in children. Physicians often do not know about this therapy use, which can be problematic, as echinacea can interfere with some medications, increase the effect of caffeine in your body and may cause a rash if used for too long of a period. No scientific evidence exists to support the use of echinacea to ease hyperactivity.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort, a plant long in use as an herbal remedy to treat depression, may help relieve hyperactivity, although studies are inconclusive. Research featured in the February 2010 edition of the journal "Natural Product Research" reports that St. John's wort's ability to repress noradrenaline and serotonin from moving between neurons reduced hyperactivity and lack of focus in a small study of adolescent males under psychiatric care. However, evidence available in the June 2008 "Journal of the American Medical Association" suggests that St. John's wort did not improve symptoms in a slightly larger sample of children and adolescents. Further, it may interfere with other medicines.
Ginkgo Biloba
While ginkgo biloba has long been used as an herbal remedy for bad memory and circulation problems, it may also find use in treating hyperactivity. A study in the "Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry" suggests that ginkgo biloba may offer some benefit to you if you suffer from hyperactivity, although more effective treatments exist. Note that ginkgo biloba may interact with a variety of medications.
Panax Ginseng
Introduce panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng, into your diet if you have hyperactivity, to ease symptoms. Research offered in the May 2001 issue of the "Journal of Psychiatric Neuroscience" reveals that this type of ginseng in conjunction with ginkgo biloba may improve the symptoms of hyperactivity; researchers advise more studies.
References
- "Pharmacotherapy"; A Survey of Herbal Use in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Depression; S. Cala, et al.; February 2003
- MedlinePlus: Echinacea
- MayoClinic.com: Echinacea
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St. John's Wort
- "Natural Product Research"; St. John's Worth May Improve Some Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; H. Niederhofer; February 2010
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort ) For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents; W. Weber, et al.; June 2008
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