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Herbal Remedies for ADHD - A Safer Alternative

Tess Thompson

Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a brain disorder where an inflicted individual faces difficulty in coordinating external stimuli. For coordinating, categorizing and focusing on external information, one area of the brain must be activated while others need to be ‘switched off’. Because the brain cannot ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ these areas easily, an ADHD patient finds it difficult to organize, control speech, concentrate on one job at a time and remember things easily.

The approach of conventional medicine in treating ADHD (as for all other conditions) is to focus on the organ that is affected (the brain in this case). Scant attention is paid to the side effects that the drug can cause.

Some conventional drugs for ADHD are actually based on herbal ingredients. However, the procedure that is used to manufacture these conventional medicines involves extract a one single compound from the natural herbs that exist in nature. This process removes the natural balance that exists in the remedy, thereby increasing the probability and intensity of side effects.

Alternately, herbal medicine is a much safer alternative since natural remedies are almost devoid of side effects. These remedies also try and restore brain chemistry in a natural way. Herbal remedies, are made by boiling, steeping or making a concoction of the whole herb to derive all the benefits that an herb is capable of providing.

Some of the herbs that have been successfully used to treat ADHD are:

• Ginkgo Biloba - In use since 2800 BC in Chinese medicine, the leaf extract of the herb is now being used by conventional medicine also. Its complex compounds have antioxidant properties that help in increasing cerebral blood flow. It is widely used for treating memory loss, brain disease caused by advancing age and supporting the central nervous system.

• Scutellaria lateriflora or Skullcap - This perennial herb of North America is an excellent remedy for nervous breakdown, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, hysteria and depression.

• Chamomile Chamomilla recutita - Besides its antihistamine and anti-inflammatory actions, Chamomile is specifically beneficial for ADHD due to its antioxidant and antispasmodic properties.

• Cantella asiatica (Gotu Kola) - It has been in use in India for increasing vitality and freshness and is a wonder herb for increasing concentration and memory.

• Avena sativa (Haygrass Family, Wild Oats) - Commonly known as oat-straw has a high mineral content for daily nourishing needs and its regular use is known to manage mild depression, nervous and hormonal systems.

• Aspalanthus linearis(Rooibos) - This South African herb has nearly 37 natural antioxidants, minerals, Vitamin C and alpha-hydroxyl acids and used mostly in herbal teas. For ADHD patients it is especially beneficial in managing stress, anxiety and insomnia.

The list is by no means complete and other herbs for ADHD include lemon balm, valerian and hawthorn, all of which have proven soothing effects that help in maintaining a proper balance of brain chemicals. While taking herbal medicine it is highly recommended to consult a specialist as it is necessary to dilute some of them to eliminate toxicity. Herbal supplements prepared from all or some of the herbs mentioned above are also safer alternatives - natural and non-addictive.

References:

http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/ADHD.html