| Approximately two million American | | | | bacopa which helps memory and learning |
| children are affected with | | | | in both adults in children; gotu kola |
| attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder | | | | which has been found to improve memory |
| (ADHD), which is about one child per | | | | and concentration in rats; lemon balm |
| classroom, with boys being 3-5 times | | | | which is used as a tea to soothe |
| more likely to have ADHD. Symptoms of | | | | agitated and hyperactive children; oats |
| this disorder begin before the age of | | | | (avena sativa) which traditionally is |
| seven and often continue into adulthood. | | | | believed to have a calming effect on the |
| ADHD has nothing to do with | | | | nervous system. |
| intelligence, and the precise cause of | | | | There are two well known studies that |
| it is unknown, but it is known that it | | | | directly evaluate herbs in ADHD. In an |
| evolves from an interaction between | | | | open trial, the herbal formula (AD-FX) |
| genetic, biological, and environmental | | | | which contains American ginseng and |
| factors. Since the symptoms vary between | | | | ginkgo, was given to children ranging |
| children, ADHD is commonly | | | | from age three to age seventeen who were |
| over-diagnosed. Additionally, many | | | | already on medication for ADHD. The |
| psychiatric disorders interfere with a | | | | dosage of herbs was 200 mg of American |
| child's ability to pay attention and can | | | | ginseng extract and 50 mg of ginkgo |
| confuse a diagnosis. Similarly, anxiety, | | | | extract, twice a day at least thirty |
| depression, drug abuse, and stress can | | | | minutes before meals. After four weeks, |
| interfere with attention and cause | | | | 74% of the children had improved. In |
| hyperactivity which can be misdiagnosed | | | | another study, the use of Mexican |
| as ADHD. Adults who have extreme | | | | valerian was tested by giving five boys |
| expectations about behavior can also | | | | that had ADHD a placebo for two weeks, |
| mislabel a child as having ADHD. | | | | nothing for seven days, then 500 mg of |
| Children who actually have ADHD and are | | | | dried valerian root for two weeks. The |
| not appropriately treated may experience | | | | valerian improved sleep and particularly |
| academic and social failure, low | | | | helped the boys with hyperactive |
| self-esteem, drug addiction, and trouble | | | | behavior. Children with ADHD may also be |
| with the law. | | | | deficient in essential fatty acids, |
| There are three subtypes of ADHD: | | | | therefore supplementation of EPA and DHA |
| inattentive without much hyperactive | | | | or eating more fish, leafy vegetables, |
| behavior; hyperactive and impulsive | | | | chia seeds, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, |
| without attention problems; and both | | | | Brazilian nuts, and walnuts can also |
| inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive. | | | | help this disorder. Supplementing drug |
| There is no test for ADHD, therefore, | | | | treatment with magnesium and zinc can |
| diagnosis takes time and expertise. A | | | | improve behavior more than standard |
| child psychologist or psychiatrist | | | | therapy alone by severely reducing |
| should be used because of this. Recent | | | | hyperactive and impulsive behavior as |
| studies have found that 54% of parents | | | | children with ADHD symptoms often have |
| used alternative therapies such as | | | | low blood levels. Other ADHD treatments |
| vitamins and dietary changes to treat | | | | include deep breathing, mediation, |
| ADHD problems. A calm and orderly home, | | | | massage, yoga, biofeedback-assisted |
| good diet, sleep, and exercise can often | | | | relaxation and progressive muscle |
| help to treat this disorder. A diet that | | | | relaxation, and acupuncture. There is |
| is high in protein may also help. Twenty | | | | not one cure-all for ADHD. Those cases |
| percent of adult caregivers give | | | | that are mild can be controlled through |
| children with ADHD herbs which enhance | | | | alternative therapies, while more severe |
| mental function or provide a sedative | | | | cases may need alternative therapies to |
| effect. Many parents use ginkgo bilboa | | | | augment treatment. Most importantly, it |
| which increases circulation to the brain | | | | is most important to get the proper |
| and protects the nerves; Asian and | | | | diagnosis and treatment for a child that |
| American ginseng which help to improve | | | | has ADHD. |
| the body's ability to cope with stress; | | | | |