Doctors will often prescribe stimulant drugs methylphenidate or amphetamine to treat patients diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). While these drugs are proven to be effective they are not without side effects such as sleep, weight and appetite disturbances. Because of these side effects, many patients look to alternative options for managing ADHD, including herbal treatments. However, because studies on the physiological studies of herbs and ADHD are limited, many in the medical community are reserving judgment until more definitive answers are available.
Caffeine
Caffeine has been studied and proposed as an alternative herbal remedy to stimulant medications, according to Naturalnews.com. Caffeine produces beneficial results when given to ADHD patients, states Healing-Arts.org. The benefits have not been without side effects, however, and do not come close to the results produced by stimulant medications. In fact, a study appearing in the 1981 Can J Psychiatry publication authored by Drs. Garfinkel, Webster and Sloman looked at six ADHD pediatric patients. The study revealed low doses of caffeine could not be differentiated from 10 mg of methylphenidate, while high doses did not have any beneficial effects. Perhaps surprisingly, the study results suggested that caffeine in low dosage when added to methylphenidate was superior to all other treatment conditions.
St. John's Wort
St. Johns wort relieves pain and has a sedative effect, resulting from small amounts of the ingredient hypericin that increases blood flow to stressed tissue, according to ADHDNews.com. Because of this, many herbal enthusiasts have suggested that it may be beneficial in treating ADHD. According to researchers at Bastyr University funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, this does not appear to be the case, at least among pediatric patients. The study administered hypericin to a sample of 54 children ages 6 to 17. While the results indicated that St. John's wort had no additional benefit from an ADHD perspective, another ingredient found in St. John's wort known as hyperforin might be worthy of studying for its ADHD treatment potential.
Chinese Herb Mixtures
In the system of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine traditionalists utilize herbal formulas to restore balance to the body's systems. A 1995 study conducted by doctors in the Pediatric Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong College of TCM looked at the effects of herbal mixture Tiaoshen Liquor (TL) to treat children with hyperactivity. Following treatment, 94 percent of the 100 study participants exhibited fewer behavioral problems, increased attention and elevated academic grades. Studies of TL on mice also showed benefits that could be readily applied to ADHD treatment. Unfortunately, the TL formula used in this study is not available for purchase commercially. Nevertheless, Healing-Arts.com says that several different formulas based on many of the ingredients used in the TL mixture have all demonstrated effectiveness in ADHD, and are available in stores where herbal supplements are sold.
