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