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