Vitamins & Herbs for Attention Disorder
It is frightening to have a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It takes a great deal of time to manage the behavioral, nutritional and medical needs of your child. There are some vitamins and herbs that can help improve your child's condition in conjunction with behavioral and nutritional treatment.
Behavior and Nutrition
Parents of an ADHD child must learn that their child is not acting out because of a choice. Parents of a child with ADHD need professional help to learn the best way to ensure that the child is learning and growing properly throughout development. It is important to provide an ADHD child with a healthy diet that avoids excessive sugar, chemicals and caffeine, which can aggravate her symptoms.
Herbs and Medicine
Not all doctors recommend herbal remedies for ADHD children. It's best to find a naturopathic physician or an integrative medicine practitioner. Even if herbs have positive effects on ADHD symptoms, reducing medication or stopping it altogether may end up causing withdrawal and heightened symptoms. Peter Breggin, author of the book "Talking Back to Ritalin," believes that these side effects are normal during withdrawal and that it takes time to determine the effectiveness of herbs without drugs.
Herbal Remedies
Try any one of these several herbs separately or together to improve ADHD symptoms. One cup of chamomile tea can relax tension and excitement when taken before bedtime or as needed. Skullcap can help calm a child's mind in a single dose taken daily for three months, though it should not be given to children under 6 years old. Ginkgo biloba can improve blood flow to the brain which may help improve concentration and cognition. Siberian ginseng helps reduce stress, improving physiological function and stimulating brain activity. Consult a naturopath for proper dosage dependent on the child's age.
Calming Oil and Homeopathy
A calming oil rubbed onto your child's feet and spine before bedtime can help relieve hyperactivity symptoms. Use a drop each of rosemary, sage, lavender and chamomile mixed with 8 cups of olive oil to improve concentration and relax the mind. Several homeopathic remedies can be used at a medium potency of 30c (where c is equal to 100 times the standard homeopathic potency) once a day for a week at a time to help with ADHD symptoms. Anacardium can be used for children who often waver between being very good and very bad. Try hyscyamus for children who act silly and crazy in public. If the child is constantly threatened, use stramonium; if restless, use sarentula; if extremely bright and overactive, use tuberculinum.
Brain Vitamins
Certain vitamins can improve mental function and may help an concentrate more effectively. The B-complex vitamins help reduce stress and improve memory recall and brain function. Vitamin C can reduce free-radicals that attempt to negatively affect cellular processes in the brain. Vitamin E can help similarly and helps improve blood flow to the brain. Gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid, can help with neural function and is found in evening primrose oil. These can all be taken at the same time as the herbs. A child's dosage is dependent on his age and a naturopath or physician should be consulted for the proper amount.
Tags: ADHD child, ADHD symptoms, Attention Deficit, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity, Deficit Hyperactivity, Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Hyperactivity Disorder