Herbal Remedies for ADHD

If your child or children struggle with attention issues and ADHD symptoms, you are not alone. Millions of children and adults around the world struggle with attention issues. ADHD is more than just the inability to focus. Individuals with ADHD often have trouble with memory, emotion control, following directions, organization, anxiety, and relationships. This can affect a person with ADHD's life from birth to death, and treating the symptoms of ADHD can help manage these unusual symptoms. 

Herbal remedies for ADHD have been shown to have similar results as ADHD medication, but with fewer side effects. Read on to see what herbs are linked with a reduction in ADHD symptoms:

Herbs

Guarana

Guarana refers to the seed extract of a natural stimulant native to the Amazon forest.

Of the herbs discussed here, guarana most resembles ADHD stimulant drugs. It contains xanthine alkaloids such as caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine.

The alkaloids in guarana not only boost stamina and energy but also reduce mental fatigue. Caffeine, for example, increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. At the doses in which it is supplied, it has a calming effect on hyperactive ADHD kids.

Theophylline also stimulates the central nervous system and improves mental alertness. Theobromine, on the other hand, improves mood.

Therefore, all the medicinal effects of the alkaloids found in guarana can help improve different symptoms of ADHD.

Ginseng

Both American and Asian ginseng is used in the treatment of ADHD in alternative medicines.

These two true ginseng species contain a class of phytochemicals known as ginsenosides. Ginsenosides are potent antioxidants and have been shown to possess neuroprotective properties. This means that they can protect the nerves in the brain from oxidative damage that may cause some of the symptoms of ADHD.

However, more importantly, ginsenosides boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

The stimulant ADHD drugs used in conventional treatment also work in this way but ginseng achieves the same thing without any of the side effects of these drugs.

In a 2001 study published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, researchers administered 200 mg of ginseng extract daily to a group of 36 ADHD kids over 4 weeks.

The results showed that by the second week, ginseng was already improving ADHD symptoms.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba is an herb with multiple medicinal uses. The two bioactive groups of phytochemicals in ginkgo are bilobalides and ginkgolides.

It is known to improve memory and mental focus. By a similar mechanism, it can also improve the symptoms of ADHD.

Ginkgo contains powerful antioxidants that can protect the brain against oxidative free radicals and prevent neurodegeneration. This herb also improves blood flow to the brain and, in this way, it supports brain health.

One specific effect of ginkgo in the brain that can help ADHD patients is the ability of the herb to block the reuptake of epinephrine and norepinephrine from the synaptic junctions between nerves. In this way, it acts similar to stimulant ADHD drugs because it allows these neurotransmitters to act longer and help improve attention and concentration.

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is another herb with stimulatory effects and none of the side effects of stimulant ADHD drugs.

It is most commonly combined with ginkgo. Gotu kola is known to improve cognitive function and boost memory. It is used in Ayurveda traditional medicine to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Besides the triterpenes in gotu kola, it also contains essential nutrients such as vitamins B1, B2, and B6.

Gotu kola stimulates the central nervous system and it has been shown in different clinical studies to relieve the hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD. It also improves blood flow to the brain, reduces mental fatigue and anxiety while increasing attentiveness.

Bacopa

Bacopa monnieri is also known as Brahmi in Indian traditional medicine. It is known to boost neuronal transmission and to increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

The most important active phytochemicals of bacopa are bacosides A and B.

These phytochemicals not only improve the transmission of impulses between neurons but also repair the synapses between nerves as well as damaged neurons.

Bacopa extracts have been proven to improve memory and cognition in multiple studies. It is no wonder then that many traditional medicine practitioners regard this herb as the most important ADHD herb.

Bacopa is useful in ADHD treatment because it improves memory, mood, learning, and mental focus.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogen used to counter physical and mental stress. Most of the herb’s medicinal effects are due to two phytochemicals: rosavin and salidroside.

This herb can also improve memory and attention span. It stimulates the release of serotonin, norepinephrine, and endorphins. While serotonin improves mood and endorphins are natural pain relievers, dopamine is central to ADHD symptoms.

Increasing dopamine levels, especially in the prefrontal cortex, has been shown to improve ADHD symptoms.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a major beneficial herb for ADHD. Lemon balm directly reduces stress and relieves anxiety. Lemon balm acts similarly to stimulant medication by helping connect missing transmissions in the brain which can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Lemon balm promotes feelings of calm and helps reduce stress and anxiety.

Valerian

Valerian is an herb that increases GABA levels in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter linked to reducing stress and anxiety. Children and adults with ADHD are often stressed beyond individuals without ADHD, and supplementing with herbs that promote calm and relieve stress can go a long way toward reducing ADHD outbursts and meltdowns.

Kava Kava

Just like lemon balm and valerian, kava kava is linked with reducing stress, producing feelings of calm, and relieving anxiety, which are big influences in ADHD outbursts.

Eleuthero and Ashwagandha

These two herbs are known as adaptogens, which are compounds that can help your body to adapt to different environments, such as stress or anxiety. These herbs will work with other herbs to reduce symptoms of ADHD by relieving stress and equipping your body to better handle stress and anxiety, which are common side effects of ADHD.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids

B Vitamins

B vitamins are essential to health, and they are involved in almost all the physiological and biochemical processes in the body.

The two most important B vitamins in the treatment of ADHD are vitamins B6 and B12.

Vitamin B6 deficiency produces symptoms resembling those of ADHD. This deficiency causes irritability, fatigue, and short attention spans. This may be because vitamin B6 is required for the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Given the importance of these neurotransmitters, it is no wonder then that vitamin B6 supplements are useful in the treatment of ADHD.

Vitamin B12 also fulfills the same roles as vitamin B6 concerning ADHD. Its deficiency also causes ADHD-like symptoms and the vitamin can also boost neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Antioxidant vitamins

The antioxidant vitamins include vitamins A, C, and E. Although they are not very important in ADHD therapy, they can still provide some benefits.

Through their antioxidant effects, these vitamins can protect the nerves and prevent neurodegeneration. They can, therefore, support normal brain functioning and the rapid development of the nervous system during childhood.

Zinc

Zinc deficiency can cause symptoms resembling the hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD. Therefore, a zinc supplement can resolve the hyperactivity and inattentiveness symptoms of ADHD.

Zinc is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters especially dopamine which is the most important neurotransmitter in ADHD. Zinc supplements are commonly recommended with methylphenidate, a standard ADHD drug, to improve the drug’s effect on dopamine levels in the brain.

Furthermore, studies have shown that zinc can improve information processing, organization, and decision-making in ADHD kids.

Lastly, zinc influences the release of melatonin from the pineal gland. Melatonin is involved in the regulation of sleep and the formation of memory. It is also a natural supplement recommended for the alternative treatment of ADHD.

Iron

Iron deficiency can cause fatigue as well as irritability and hyperactivity. Therefore, in the same way as zinc, iron supplements may improve ADHD symptoms.

However, iron also provides specific benefits for ADHD patients. Iron increases the activity of dopamine in the brain. It also protects the brain against the neurological damage caused by heavy metals by preventing these metals from crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is another nutritional deficiency sharing symptoms with ADHD. It causes irritability, reduced attention span, and mental confusion.

The roles of magnesium in the central nervous system are similar to those of zinc and iron discussed above: it is required in the production of essential neurotransmitters and it also protects the brain from damage caused by heavy metals.

L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is an amino acid and the precursor of the two most important neurotransmitters in ADHD (dopamine and norepinephrine).

Therefore, an L-tyrosine supplement may increase the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain and help ADHD patients maintain mental focus and control hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Other Nutritional Supplements

Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and omega-3 supplements are effective in the treatment of ADHD and ADD.

In one study published in the journal, European Neuropsychopharmacology in 2007, an omega-3 supplement was found to remarkably reduce the symptoms of ADHD.

Fish oil contains 4 times more omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6 fatty acids. This is the right ratio to benefit from both types of fatty acids. Fish oil has been shown to improve mental and organizational skills in children. It can also reduce hyperactivity, antisocial behaviors, and inattentiveness.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid made of omega-3 fatty acids and the amino acid, serine.

It increases neuronal transmission in the brain, and also the levels of dopamine and acetylcholine. The benefits of phosphatidylserine include improving mood, learning, memory, cognition, and relieving stress. 

Because of its diverse benefits to the brain, phosphatidylserine supplements are sometimes recommended as natural substitutes for ADHD drugs.

Melatonin

Melatonin is important to the maintenance of normal sleep rhythm. It is prescribed for ADHD patients who are too hyperactive to sleep well.

Melatonin is also an antioxidant and since it can cross the blood-brain barrier, it can help protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant effect of melatonin is even more powerful than that of vitamin C.

Herbal Remedies for ADHD Make a Difference

Many of the chemical and commercialized remedies for ADHD are based on old herbal remedies. For example, many of the stress-relieving and calming ingredients in ADHD medication are based on old herbal remedies that promote calmness and reduce anxiety.

One of the biggest differences between herbal remedies for ADHD and commercial medications is that herbal remedies are often weaker forms of similar treatments. On the other hand, they are a little harder to use as they are not as regulated and some herbal blends may contain much higher levels of an ingredient than another.

As with most herbal treatments, a combination of remedies in addition to a healthy lifestyle (healthy diet, quality sleep, reduced stress, and regular exercise) will provide the most improvement in mental health.